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Independently verified · Quarterly re-audit
EU VETTED
Category 02 of 22

File sharing

In short

File sharing and cloud storage services let you store, sync, and share documents across devices and with collaborators. For EU buyers, the key criterion is whether files are end-to-end encrypted, where they are stored, and who owns the infrastructure. Top-rated European options on EU Vetted include Internxt (Spain, 5/5), Nextcloud (Germany, 5/5), Tresorit (Switzerland, 5/5), and Proton Drive (Switzerland, 5/5).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the best EU-hosted file sharing and cloud storage service?
On EU Vetted's editorial compliance score, Internxt (Spain), Nextcloud (Germany), Filen (Germany), luckycloud (Germany), and LeitzCloud/vBoxxCloud (Netherlands) all reach 5/5 as EU-owned and EU-hosted options. The best pick depends on your use case: Nextcloud is the most flexible for self-hosted team environments; Internxt and Filen offer zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage for individuals and teams; luckycloud provides a DSGVO-certified hosted cloud option for German and DACH buyers.
Is there a GDPR-compliant file sharing service?
Yes. Services operated by EU-incorporated companies with EU-only infrastructure and published DPAs are GDPR-compliant in their processing role. Nextcloud (Germany), luckycloud (Germany), and LeitzCloud (Netherlands) all publish detailed DPAs and sub-processor lists. 'GDPR-compliant' is an assessment of the operator's documented practices, not a guarantee; review each vendor's DPA against your specific data categories before adopting.
Does cloud storage data fall under the US CLOUD Act?
If the cloud storage service is operated or ultimately owned by a US-incorporated company, the CLOUD Act can in principle compel it to produce data it controls regardless of where that data is stored. Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are examples where this applies. EU-owned services such as Internxt (Spain), Filen (Germany), and Nextcloud (Germany) are not subject to that direct exposure, provided they do not use US sub-processors for the primary data path.
What is end-to-end encryption in file storage, and why does it matter?
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) means files are encrypted on your device before they leave it, and decrypted only by you or explicitly chosen recipients. The storage operator cannot read your file contents even if compelled by a legal order. Services with genuine E2EE on all stored files include Internxt, Filen, Tresorit, and Proton Drive. Services without it — including most business-grade hosted Nextcloud instances — can technically access your files if the server is seized or court-ordered.
Can I use a European file sharing service to collaborate with teams?
Yes. Nextcloud is the strongest EU option for team collaboration — it includes document editing, calendar, contacts, video calls, and shared drives in a single self-hosted or managed deployment. LeitzCloud and luckycloud offer managed hosted alternatives suited to DACH business teams without self-hosting overhead. Tresorit and Proton Drive support real-time collaboration features alongside E2EE. For most business teams, Nextcloud (self-hosted or via a managed provider) or LeitzCloud is the starting point.
What is the difference between self-hosted and managed cloud storage?
Self-hosted storage (Nextcloud, Vaultwarden-style) runs on servers you control, giving you full data sovereignty but requiring IT overhead for updates, backups, and security hardening. Managed cloud storage (Internxt, Filen, Tresorit, luckycloud) runs on the vendor's servers; you trust the vendor but avoid the operational burden. The right choice depends on your organisation's technical capacity and risk tolerance. Nextcloud bridges both: you can self-host or use any of hundreds of managed hosting providers.
How do I migrate from Google Drive or Dropbox to a European alternative?
Most EU cloud storage services accept file import via their desktop sync client or a one-time migration tool. For Nextcloud, the built-in external storage connector or the Nextcloud migration wizard handles Google Drive imports. For Internxt or Proton Drive, download your existing files and re-upload via the desktop client. Shared links and collaborative permissions do not transfer automatically; plan to recreate share settings after migration. Business-critical shared folders should be migrated in a parallel-running period before cutting over.