Google Clears Final Hurdle for Major Austrian Data Center Project
January 29, 2026
Google has received the final building and commercial permits for its first self-built and owned data center in Austria, marking a pivotal step in a project that has been in development for nearly two decades. The approval underscores the strategic importance of Central Europe for hyperscale cloud providers seeking to expand their infrastructure footprint closer to growing customer bases while leveraging regional advantages in renewable energy and connectivity.
According to reports from Austrian media, the local authorities in Kronstorf have granted the necessary permissions for the tech giant to proceed with the construction of a facility spanning approximately 42,000 square meters (452,000 square feet). Of this total floor space, 29,000 square meters (312,153 square feet) is designated for critical data center operations. The project, which involves an initial land purchase of around 70 hectares near hydroelectric power stations on the Enns river back in 2008, has seen significant delays. Due to these delays, Google subsequently sold 20 hectares of the land back to local development associations. While the company invested an estimated €200 million ($239 million) in the early planning stages, the final investment figure for the current build-out has not been disclosed.
Although the permits are now in place, they are not yet legally binding as a standard objection period remains ongoing. However, with preliminary groundwork having commenced in August 2025, construction is anticipated to begin imminently. This development is a key component of Google's broader European expansion strategy. The company already operates cloud regions in neighboring Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, and announced plans for an Austrian cloud region in 2022. The Kronstorf facility will directly support this regional cloud infrastructure, enhancing latency and data sovereignty for customers in Austria and surrounding markets.
The move also highlights the intensifying competition in the European cloud market. Rival Microsoft launched its own Azure cloud region in Vienna in July 2025, signaling a concerted push by major providers to capture enterprise and public sector demand in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Google's finalized project in Kronstorf represents not just a significant capital investment, but a long-term commitment to establishing a robust, sustainable infrastructure hub in the heart of Europe.
Source: datacenterdynamics
