Summary Yes, as proposed in the Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), the EU Open Source Solutions Catalogue (EU OSS Catalogue) is free to use. Article 43(2) of the proposal explicitly mandates that the catalogue "shall be accessible electronically free of charge." This provision ensures that no fees are levied on public-sector bodies, Union entities, or any other users to search, access, or retrieve software listed in the centralised repository. The open-access principle is a core component of the Act's strategy to reduce vendor lock-in and foster digital autonomy.

Detail

The Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), as proposed in COM(2026) 502 final, introduces a comprehensive framework to strengthen Europe's cloud and AI ecosystem. A critical element of this framework is Title IV, Chapter V, which focuses on open source. The proposal recognises that open source plays a vital role in ensuring transparency, security, and efficiency in the public sector. To operationalise this, the Act mandates the creation of a centralised hub for discovering reusable software: the EU Open Source Solutions Catalogue.

Under Article 43, the European Commission is tasked with providing and maintaining this catalogue. The primary objective, as stated in Article 43(1), is to serve as a "centralised catalogue to access software made available for reuse by Union entities and public sector bodies." This centralisation addresses the fragmentation of software repositories across the EU, where valuable public-sector code often remains siloed in national or local systems, hindering reuse and duplication of effort.

The cost structure and accessibility of the catalogue are explicitly defined in Article 43(2). The text states: "The EU OSS Catalogue shall be hosted on the Interoperable Europe portal referred to in Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2024/903 and shall be accessible electronically free of charge."

This specific provision establishes three foundational principles for the catalogue's operation:

  1. No Access Fees: The phrase "free of charge" is unambiguous. There is no cost for users to access the platform. Whether a procurement officer is searching for a specific tool, a developer is browsing for components, or a policy maker is reviewing available solutions, the act of searching, viewing metadata, and accessing the catalogue interface is entirely free. This removes financial barriers to entry, ensuring that smaller public bodies with limited IT budgets can benefit equally from the repository.
  2. Electronic Accessibility: The catalogue is designed as a digital-first resource, ensuring it is readily available to all relevant stakeholders across the Union. The requirement for electronic access aligns with the broader digital transformation goals of the EU, facilitating remote collaboration and immediate discovery of solutions.
  3. Integration with Existing Infrastructure: By mandating that the catalogue be hosted on the "Interoperable Europe portal," the proposal leverages existing EU digital infrastructure. This ensures consistency, security, and ease of use for users already familiar with EU interoperability tools, while also reinforcing the connection between open-source reuse and broader interoperability standards.

Furthermore, Article 43(3) outlines the mechanism for connecting other repositories to this central hub. The Commission is empowered to decide on requests from Union entities or public sector bodies to connect their own existing catalogues or repositories to the EU OSS Catalogue based on "objective and relevant criteria." This federated approach ensures that while there is a single, free central search engine, it can aggregate data from various national or institutional repositories. This maximises discoverability without requiring all software to be physically migrated to a single server, preserving the autonomy of local administrations while enhancing the collective pool of reusable assets.

The free access model is consistent with the broader goals of CADA's Chapter V. Article 41 encourages Union entities and public sector bodies to use and facilitate the reuse of open standards and components. By removing financial barriers to discovery, the EU aims to accelerate the adoption of open-source software in the public sector, thereby fostering innovation, reducing duplication of effort, and strengthening the EU's digital autonomy.

What this means for you

For public-sector procurement officers, IT managers, and software developers across the EU, the establishment of a free EU OSS Catalogue offers a streamlined, cost-effective tool for sourcing and sharing software.

  • Cost-Efficient Discovery: You can search for pre-vetted, reusable software solutions without incurring subscription fees for the catalogue itself. This significantly reduces the upfront costs associated with market research and vendor discovery, allowing public funds to be directed toward implementation and support rather than access fees.
  • Standardised Search Interface: Instead of navigating dozens of disparate national or institutional repositories, you will have access to a single, centralised interface. This simplifies the procurement process by allowing you to compare solutions from across the EU in one place, increasing the likelihood of finding a suitable, interoperable solution.
  • Interoperability Assurance: Because the catalogue is hosted on the Interoperable Europe portal, the software listed is more likely to align with EU interoperability standards. This can reduce integration costs and technical debt when adopting new tools, as the platform inherently promotes compatibility.
  • Compliance Support: Using software discovered through the catalogue can help demonstrate compliance with the CADA's requirements to promote open-source solutions and reuse, as mandated by Articles 41 and 42. It provides a clear, auditable trail of how public bodies are fulfilling their obligation to consider open-source alternatives.

Common misconceptions

"Free access means the software itself is free." While the catalogue is free to access, the software listed is subject to its own specific open-source licence. Most open-source licences (such as MIT, Apache, or GPL) allow free use, modification, and distribution, but "free" in this context refers to freedom (libre) rather than just price (gratis). You must still comply with the specific terms of the licence attached to each software component, which may include requirements to share modifications, attribute authors, or disclose source code. The catalogue facilitates discovery, but the licence governs usage.

"The catalogue replaces national repositories." The EU OSS Catalogue does not replace national or institutional repositories. Instead, it acts as a federation hub. As per Article 43(3), national repositories can connect to the central catalogue. This means software remains in its original repository but becomes discoverable through the EU-wide search interface. This preserves local control while enhancing visibility.

"There are hidden fees for advanced features." Article 43(2) mandates that the catalogue be accessible electronically free of charge. There are no proposed tiered pricing models or paywalls for basic or advanced search features within the proposed text. The goal is to maximise reuse and transparency across the public sector. Any costs associated with the development or maintenance of the software itself are borne by the providing entity, not the user of the catalogue.

Related

This is general information about a draft EU regulation, not legal advice.