The verdict in three sentences
Migrating a website to a sovereign EU host (OVH, Scaleway) costs between 1,500 and 6,000 EUR in 2026, depending on technical complexity and data volume, then 30 to 200 EUR/month for hosting. The main driver is not price but GDPR compliance and data sovereignty: hosting outside the reach of US extraterritorial laws (the Cloud Act) is becoming a tender requirement. Done properly, the switch happens with zero downtime in 2 to 4 weeks.
The migration budget, line by line
Migration cost depends on the number of applications, databases, mailboxes and the criticality of zero downtime. Here is the typical breakdown seen in 2026.
| Migration item | Range | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Audit + migration plan | 400 - 1,200 EUR | 3 - 5 days |
| Site + database transfer | 800 - 2,500 EUR | 1 - 2 weeks |
| DNS + SSL reconfiguration | 200 - 600 EUR | 1 - 3 days |
| Business email migration | 300 - 900 EUR | 2 - 5 days |
| Testing + zero-downtime cutover | 500 - 1,800 EUR | 2 - 4 days |
| Total project | 1,500 - 6,000 EUR | 2 - 4 weeks |
A simple brochure site sits at the low end; a site with a client portal, e-commerce or third-party integrations climbs higher.
Sovereign EU host vs US hyperscaler
Monthly hosting cost is often lower with European providers for an SME workload, and compliance is native. 2026 comparison for an equivalent configuration (mid-traffic B2B site).
| Criterion | OVHcloud / Scaleway | AWS / US hyperscaler |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly hosting (SME config) | 30 - 200 EUR | 80 - 350 EUR |
| Data location | EU (Roubaix, Paris) | EU possible, but Cloud Act |
| GDPR compliance | Native, guaranteed | Contractual (SCCs) |
| Local-language support | Included | Often paid premium |
| Egress traffic | Often included | Billed per GB |
| Legal sovereignty | EU law | US law applies |
For a European SME, the monthly difference can reach 1,800 EUR/year, sovereignty included.
Mini case study
Sarah, COO of a 60-person consultancy in Rotterdam, hosted her site and document portal with a US hyperscaler. In 2026, a large client demands sovereign EU hosting in its tender. Cost to migrate to Scaleway: 3,800 EUR, 3 weeks, zero downtime. Monthly hosting saving: from 240 to 110 EUR/month, i.e. 1,560 EUR/year. The migration pays for itself in under 2.5 years and unlocks a 90,000 EUR contract.
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FAQ
Does migration cause site downtime?
No, if properly prepared. You sync the old and new servers, test, then switch the DNS. Zero downtime is standard in 2026 for a 500 to 1,800 EUR budget on that item.
OVH or Scaleway: which to choose?
Both are sovereign and GDPR-compliant. Scaleway offers a modern cloud console and on-demand instances; OVH covers a wider range from shared to dedicated. The choice depends on your architecture.
How long does a migration take?
Between 2 and 4 weeks depending on complexity: audit, transfer, DNS/SSL reconfiguration, testing and cutover. A brochure site can switch in 10 days.
Is EU hosting really cheaper?
For an SME workload, often yes, notably thanks to included egress traffic. The gap with a US hyperscaler can reach 1,800 EUR/year at equal configuration.
What does the Cloud Act change in practice?
It lets US authorities compel data held by a US company even if stored in Europe. A European host escapes it, which is becoming a decisive tender argument.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your current host, number of applications and criticality level: we price the migration between 1,500 and 6,000 EUR with a zero-downtime plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
