Microsoft 365 Developer Program: Free E5 Sandbox for Eligible Developers

Microsoft currently offers qualifying Microsoft 365 Developer Program members a Microsoft 365 E5-enabled developer sandbox at no charge for development and testing. The official FAQ says the sandbox includes 25 user licenses. Standard developer-program sandboxes can last up to 90 days and may renew when Microsoft detects qualifying development activity; eligible Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise standard subscribers can link their subscription for automatic renewal while that Visual Studio subscription remains active. Eligibility is limited: current qualifying paths include eligible Visual Studio subscribers and certain ISV Success or Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program participants, with other enterprise support paths handled separately. The sandbox is strictly for development and testing, not production or ordinary business use, and Microsoft may require identity and billing-account verification. Eligible members can request it from the Developer Program dashboard using the Set up E5 subscription option.