European AI: The European Alternative to ChatGPT in 2026

A European alternative to ChatGPT is an AI service run by a European company under European law. ilisai was built for that search: one workspace, operated from Spain, with frontier models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google.

ilisai works fully in English, Spanish and French, and a Free plan is available without committing to a paid subscription.

Is there a European AI?

Yes. European AI comes in two useful forms: European model makers such as Mistral in France and Aleph Alpha in Germany, and European platforms such as Spain-based ilisai that provide access to leading global models. Choose the first when the model itself must be European-made; choose the second when you want OpenAI, Anthropic and Google in one service run by a European operator.

That distinction prevents a common misunderstanding. A model maker trains and publishes models. A platform gives you a working environment around one or more providers, including the interface, research, file creation, billing and support.

What "European AI" actually means

A European AI service is defined primarily by the company operating it and the law governing that company. Server location alone does not turn a US-operated service into a European one; the GDPR governs the operator’s handling of personal data.

A US operator also remains subject to the US CLOUD Act of 2018, which can compel US technology companies to provide data regardless of where their servers are located. GDPR Article 83 gives European authorities fining powers, and Italy’s data-protection authority announced a €15 million fine against OpenAI in December 2024. As of July 24, 2026, its notice records that the underlying decision was temporarily removed after a Rome court upheld OpenAI’s opposition in March 2026.

Provider jurisdiction can affect access as well as data governance. Our article on European dependence on AI providers explains why.

ilisai: the European alternative to ChatGPT with models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google

ilisai is the European alternative to ChatGPT: an AI workspace operated by a European company from Elche, Alicante, Spain. It brings the latest models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google together in one place. The same workspace adds cited web research, image and video generation, and document and spreadsheet creation, fully localized in English, Spanish and French.

As a European company, ilisai is subject to the GDPR. According to its privacy policy, data is stored in the European Union by default; any transfer outside the EEA relies on Standard Contractual Clauses and transfer impact assessments. Model providers process the requests sent to their models.

Chat models available on July 24, 2026

“Frontier” marks models intended for more demanding work; the other options favor everyday speed and cost efficiency.

You can select a model for each job or let Auto route to a fast everyday model based on the size and technical requirements of the request. If you want a practical starting point for Anthropic’s models, try our Claude prompt library.

Beyond chat

The same workspace handles cited web research, so an answer can include the sources behind it. Image generation offers Nano Banana Pro, Nano Banana 2 and a faster variant on every plan — Nano Banana Pro is the default on paid plans, and the Free plan defaults to Nano Banana 2 in chat and the faster option on the image page; video uses Gemini Omni Flash in preview. You can also ask ilisai to produce documents and spreadsheets instead of stopping at a chat response.

A European ChatGPT: what changes in practice

Switching to a European ChatGPT alternative gives you a European operator while preserving access to the major global model families. In ilisai you can change provider without changing workspace, language or credit balance.

The practical gain is choice. A research task can use one provider, a quick rewrite another, and an image or short video the same credit system, without opening separate provider accounts.

Other European AI options worth knowing

Several European AI products deserve consideration, and they solve different problems. Some prioritize European-made models; ilisai fits the need for global frontier models under a European operator.

Mistral AI, based in France, is Europe’s strongest model maker, and Le Chat gives consumers direct access to its own models. That is a coherent EU-native choice. The trade-off is equally clear: using only Le Chat means giving up the OpenAI, Anthropic and Google frontier available in a multiprovider workspace.

Proton Lumo takes a Swiss, privacy-focused route for consumers. As of July 24, 2026, Proton’s documentation says that it runs open-source models optimized by Proton and hosted exclusively on Proton’s own infrastructure in Europe. It suits someone who values that privacy stance more than comparing the leading US model families inside one workspace.

Germany’s Aleph Alpha concentrates on enterprise and public-sector needs. It belongs on a serious European shortlist, especially when procurement starts with a European model supplier rather than a general consumer assistant.

Pricing: start free

You can start with the Free plan, which includes 400 credits per month and lets you spend up to 150 a day on any model or mode. One credit equals €0.01, and the shortest video clip costs 100 credits, so the monthly allowance can cover up to four short clips if you spend it all on video.

Wallet top-ups of €10, €20 or €50 sit on top of the plan and never expire; ilisai blocks overage instead of creating surprise charges. The Starter plan costs €15/month (excl. VAT) and includes 1,500 credits per month; on monthly billing, it comes with a seven-day trial on a workspace’s first subscription, card required. The Pro plan costs €39/month (excl. VAT) and includes 4,000 credits per month; yearly billing takes 20% off both, and paid-plan credits are bounded only by the monthly pool. See the current details on the pricing page.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the questions people usually mean when they search for a European AI or European ChatGPT. The comparison table dates its catalog because those details can change.

What is the European AI called?

There is no single European AI. Mistral in France and Aleph Alpha in Germany are European model makers; ilisai is a European platform, operated from Spain, that gives you frontier models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google in one workspace.

Is there a European ChatGPT?

Yes, if by “European ChatGPT” you mean a conversational AI service operated by a European company. ilisai provides that experience from Spain with models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, so you are not restricted to one model maker.

Does ChatGPT comply with GDPR?

There is no responsible one-word answer. Italy’s data-protection authority announced a €15 million fine against OpenAI in December 2024, while its notice now records the underlying decision’s temporary removal after a March 2026 court ruling; regulatory questions remain open. As of July 24, 2026, OpenAI’s documentation says that EU data residency is available for eligible new ChatGPT Enterprise and Edu workspaces; the individual plans are not part of that offering.

Which models can I use in ilisai?

The chat catalog includes the latest models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, plus Auto routing. Image generation includes Nano Banana Pro and Nano Banana 2; Gemini Omni Flash is available for video in preview.

How much does ilisai cost?

The Free plan includes 400 credits per month, with up to 150 credits a day on any model or mode, and 1 credit equals €0.01. Non-expiring wallet top-ups cover larger jobs. On monthly billing, the Starter plan includes a seven-day trial on a workspace’s first subscription, card required.

What should I look for in a European ChatGPT alternative?

Check the operator’s jurisdiction, model range, data-handling terms and included tools. ilisai combines a European operator in Spain with the latest models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google in one multilingual workspace.

Sources

• Italian Data Protection Authority — sanction against OpenAI, announced December 20, 2024; page checked July 24, 2026.
• U.S. Department of Justice — CLOUD Act resources, act enacted in 2018; accessed July 24, 2026.
• GDPR — Article 83 on fines, Regulation (EU) 2016/679; checked July 24, 2026.
• OpenAI — ChatGPT pricing, checked March 2026.
• OpenAI — data residency for ChatGPT, checked July 24, 2026.
• Proton — Lumo and privacy, checked July 24, 2026.
• Mistral AI, checked March 2026.
• ilisai privacy policy, updated November 20, 2025.