E-Government of Germany

• German IT Market

2024: Development of e-government in Germany almost completely halted

On December 21, 2024, the German newspaper Der Spiegel reported that the digitalization of public services in Germany had actually stopped. Of the 579 public services mandated for digitalization by the Internet Access Act, only 101 services are fully digitally available, up 20 from 2023, according to an analysis by Verivox.

According to the Red Spring news agency, according to Verivox, 105 services have been partially digital, and a personal turnout is still required to receive 373 services. Among the most digitally available services are applications for unemployment benefits, care benefits and driver's licenses. However, important procedures such as bankruptcies, land registry entries and disability benefits remain completely unavailable online.

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Фото: Freepik

Verivox expert Jörg Shamberg noted that one of the main reasons for slow progress is the lack of standardized software, which has led to fragmentation of solutions. In addition, problems with training staff in digital technologies further exacerbate the situation. According to him, such a pace of implementation of digitalization is tantamount to a "declaration of surrender."

According to Der Spiegel, one of the key problems is the lack of integration between the authorities. As part of digitalization, the German authorities have developed more than 6,000 small bureaucratic tasks, which are combined into 579 services. However, most of them require significant participation of citizens. For example, you can apply for an identity card online, but to obtain it, citizens must still visit the office. Thus, none of the services has yet reached the highest level of digitalization, in which the exchange of data between the authorities is carried out automatically and without the participation of citizens.^[1]

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