Microsoft 365 in 2026: New capabilities, Copilot SKUs and pricing

Microsoft continues to evolve Microsoft 365 into the central platform for productivity, security and AI in the modern workplace. This was pretty clear from our  key takeaways from Microsoft Ignite 2025. 

In a recent update, Microsoft announced not only new features, but also an expanded AI offering and price changes that will take effect on July 1, 2026.

At Easi, we are closely monitoring these developments, not only from a technical perspective, but especially in terms of their impact on Belgian IT environments. In this blog, we bring everything together. Keep the following in mind:

1. Why is Microsoft adapting its Microsoft 365 strategy?

Microsoft is increasingly positioning Microsoft 365 as an AI-first, security-by-design platform. Over recent years, new capabilities have been structurally added, particularly around:

• AI embedded in everyday workflows

• identity and access management

• endpoint security and device management

• data protection, compliance and governance

• tighter integration between productivity, security and management

More and more, these capabilities are included by default in existing licenses, rather than offered as separate add-ons. According to Microsoft, the announced pricing changes reflect this increase in functional value.

Importantly, this is not a sudden shift, but a clearly announced evolution, with a defined timeline.

2. What is changing in the functionality of Microsoft 365?

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2.1. AI becomes a structural part of the workplace

AI in Microsoft 365 is moving beyond simple assistance. Microsoft is strongly investing in:

• Copilot experiences that understand context across applications
• AI agents that can autonomously execute tasks and workflows
• deeper integration across email, calendars, documents and Teams

AI is therefore evolving from a “useful add-on” into a core building block of the digital workplace.

2.2. Security and management remain key pillars

Alongside AI, Microsoft continues to invest heavily in security and management, with a focus on:

• identity and access management
• endpoint security and device compliance
• data protection, compliance and governance

For many organisations, this means that capabilities previously limited to higher-tier licenses are now becoming more broadly available within Microsoft 365.

2.3. New capabilities from 2026: what should you take away?

From 2026 onwards, Microsoft will add additional AI, security and management capabilities to several Microsoft 365 licenses. These extensions fit within a broader shift towards a more integrated, AI-driven workplace.

They also provide the context in which Microsoft continues to expand Copilot within the Business segment.

3. What is changing in the pricing of Microsoft 365?

How to read this table correctly?

Some important nuances for Belgian organizations:

• These are global Microsoft list prices.
• The prices communicated by Microsoft are based on an annual purchase.
• Prices in euros may vary due to exchange rates and local market adjustments.
• Contractual agreements with Easi (EA, CSP, term) remain decisive.
• This is not an automatic invoice increase, but a frame of reference

4. What stands out in these tables?

4.1. Business licenses: limited increase, broader value

Within the Business segment, price increases remain relatively contained, while functional value continues to expand. For Business Basic and Business Standard, the focus lies on additional AI capabilities and strengthened baseline security

For many SMEs, this remains the logical entry point into the Microsoft ecosystem — provided that the licenses are used correctly.

Business Premium is increasingly positioned as the strategic baseline license for organisations that want to combine AI, security and management, with a natural alignment to Copilot and Purview scenarios.

4.2. Enterprise licenses: moderate increases

For Microsoft 365 E3 and E5, increases are proportionally more limited, reflecting:

• an already extensive functional scope
• a strong focus on security, compliance and AI

For organisations that fully leverage these capabilities, the price-value balance remains coherent.

4.3. Frontline licenses: specific attention required

Frontline licenses (F1/F3) stand out due to relatively higher increases.
Organisations with many frontline or shared-device users should carefully review:

• role definitions
• actual license usage
• the distribution between license types

This is often where significant optimisation opportunities exist.

5.  NEW: Important Copilot SKUs and bundles for the Business segment

5.1. How Copilot and security within Microsoft 365 Business quickly became complex

With the rise of Copilot, more organisations want to introduce AI into their Microsoft 365 environments.
In practice, however, Copilot never operates in isolation.

Responsible AI usage requires consideration of:

• data access and permissions
• information security
• compliance requirements
• governance around AI usage

Until recently, this meant combining multiple separate components:

• Microsoft 365 Business (Basic, Standard or Premium)
• Microsoft 365 Copilot
• additional security and governance capabilities

The result:

• a rapidly increasing cost per user
• a more complex licensing landscape
• slower or more cautious AI adoption

5.2. What Microsoft is changing: Copilot and security as smart bundles

To reduce this complexity, Microsoft is introducing new Copilot bundles within the Business segment, combining multiple components into a single license.

In practical terms, Copilot—and in some cases additional security and governance functionality—is now integrated into one SKU, rather than purchased separately.

Some examples:

To illustrate this, we will use Microsoft 365 Business Basic at €5.6 per user per month (pupm). This principle also applies to the other Microsoft 365 Business licenses. 

• M365 Business Basic + M365 Copilot

• M365 Business Basic + M365 Copilot + M365 Purview Suite

• M365 Business Basic + M365 Copilot + M365 Purview Suite + M365 Defender Suite

This approach:

• simplifies license management
• reduces total cost per user compared to separate purchases
• supports a secure and controlled rollout of AI

* In addition, promotional prices apply until March 31, 2026, valid for one year. Contact us for more information.

5.3. Why these bundles represent an important shift

The logic behind these bundles is clear:

• Microsoft is not adding functionality “just because it can”
• but is structuring the adoption of AI, security and governance

For Belgian SMEs and mid-market organisations, this means:

• AI becomes more accessible
• security and compliance are embedded from the start
• license optimisation becomes more important than ever

One principle remains essential: not every user needs the same level of Copilot.

6. The Easi perspective

These developments towards 2026 are not just about price, but about strategic choices:

• Which users can get by with Copilot?
• Where does Copilot create real added value?
• When are additional security and governance measures necessary?
• How can you avoid over- or under-licensing?

Organizations that are already mapping this out today will avoid surprises as we approach 2026. That is why, as a Microsoft Solutions Partner, we do not view this announcement as merely a pricing issue, but as a strategic moment. We help Belgian organizations to:

• translate the official Microsoft tables to their own situation
• expose over- and under-licensing
• use Microsoft 365 in a future-oriented way

In short: we take a pragmatic, transparent, and well-founded approach, focusing on the interests of our customers.

7. Finally: What does this mean for your Microsoft environment?

The Microsoft 365 evolution towards 2026 is not about paying more, but about getting more—provided you make the right choices.

Remember:

1. Microsoft 365 is evolving into a strategic AI platform, with Copilot as an integral part of the workplace.

2. Security and governance are no longer optional, but a necessary prerequisite for responsible AI use.

3. New license bundles simplify and optimize licensing, offering better value for money than individual purchases.

4. Price changes have been announced for July 2026, giving you the opportunity to proactively manage your budgets and choices.

5. Optimizing today means avoiding surprises tomorrow and getting more out of Microsoft 365.

That is why now is the ideal moment to perform a license audit or strategic review, rather than waiting until new prices take effect.

At Easi, we are happy to think along with you to maximise the value of your Microsoft 365 licenses.