Why You Should Switch to a European Email Provider

Choosing a European email provider is a strategic decision. Companies have changed how they approach cloud services.

In this article, we explain why relying on a provider with fully European infrastructure reduces regulatory risks, improves security, and—when it comes to Qboxmail—adds flexibility and dedicated local support.

A Quick GDPR Reminder

Since 2018, Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) requires data controllers to control where they store and process personal data. They can transfer data outside the EU only if they apply equivalent safeguards.

NIS 2 Directive

Directive 2022/2555 extends cybersecurity obligations to MSPs, Telcos, ISPs, and cloud providers. EU member states had to implement it by October 17, 2024. In Italy, this happened through Legislative Decree 138/2024, effective October 16, 2024. Fines can reach up to 2% of annual revenue.

Data Act

This regulation is already in force and will apply from September 12, 2025. It makes switching providers easier and protects data from non-EU access requests.

By contrast, the US CLOUD Act allows Washington to demand access to data from American providers, even if hosted in Europe—creating open conflict with the GDPR. It’s no surprise that large European groups now demand stronger digital sovereignty in public cloud tenders.

The Benefits of a European Email Provider

No Legal Conflicts

A provider based in the EU, with servers in the EU, is not subject to US extraterritorial laws. This avoids conflicts between the CLOUD Act and GDPR Article 48, which bans data transfers to foreign authorities without proper safeguards.

Low Latency and High Uptime

Many European data centers are Tier IV, offering 99.99% uptime—just 26.3 minutes of downtime per year. Proximity also reduces latency by cutting out milliseconds between you and the server.

Better IP Reputation and Delivery

Independent benchmarks show that global providers average around 83% inbox placement. Specialized email providers can exceed 90%. A service that manages IP reputation and enables SPF, DKIM, and DMARC by default helps prevent your emails from landing in spam.

Support in Your Language and Time Zone

Zendesk’s CX Trends 2025 report says nearly 70% of customers expect a reply to critical tickets within an hour. A European help desk works during local business hours and often speaks your language—especially valuable for MSPs working under strict SLAs.

Alignment with Industry Standards

Choosing an EU-based provider makes it easier to comply with certification frameworks such as the upcoming EUCS (European Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services) and CSIS. These frameworks are expected to become mandatory prerequisites in public tenders and enterprise procurement processes.

How to Turn Requirements into Questions

• Where are the company and codebase registered?
• What level of data center certification do they offer (Tier III, Tier IV, ISO 27001)?
• Are emails sent through dedicated or shared IPs? What is the internal inbox placement rate?
• What’s the SLA for critical tickets and what language is support offered in?
• Are there APIs to integrate domains, mailboxes, and security into my workflows?
• Does the licensing model grow with my usage, or does it require fixed packages?
  
  

If the answers match your needs, the next step is simple: contact us or start a 30-day free trial to explore Qboxmail for yourself.