An undeniable fact – in modern society, the digitalization of services provided by the executive and legislative branches of government is not only in demand and urgent, but also an inevitable necessity.

It largely contributes to greater transparency, accessibility, and convenience of direct interaction between citizens and administrative structures at different levels. This has a positive effect on the efficiency of their work, while potentially reducing corruption risks and improving the overall quality of public services.

The future of modern digital platforms, including those providing administrative services, is inseparably linked to the intensive implementation of advanced technologies based on artificial intelligence, the use of blockchain data, and objective analysis of large volumes of information. With the optimal combination of these components, there are real opportunities to simplify existing data-processing procedures and to create personalized services tailored to the needs of each citizen.

According to the latest data, the total number of digital administrative services available on the Berlin Press and Information Office portal (Serviceportal des Landes Berlin) exceeded 400 by mid-July this year. This firmly placed the capital among the leaders of German federal states in terms of digitalization.

According to some digital experts (people skilled in managing projects in the digital sphere, analyzing data, creating, implementing, and promoting content), this “phenomenal rise” is largely explained by the successful launch of online applications for grants supporting long-term projects and programs.

The most in-demand services currently available on the portal include:

• electronic registration at the place of residence (around a quarter of all citizen requests);

• issuing and re-registering vehicle documents;

• document management related to various types of paperwork, which can now be created and processed digitally.

Among the recently added online services:

• processing notifications about the misuse of housing properties (Meldung von zweckentfremdetem Wohnraum);

• accepting applications for simplified building permits (Beantragung einer Baugenehmigung im vereinfachten Verfahren);

• submitting applications to extend residential parking permits (Verlängerung des Bewohnerparkausweises).

In this context, Berlin’s State Secretary for Digitalization and Administrative Modernization, Chief Digital Officer of the State of Berlin Martina Klement (Martina Klement, Chief Digital Officer des Landes Berlin und Staatssekretärin für Digitalisierung und Verwaltungsmodernisierung), notes:

“Digital services provide round-the-clock access to the administration at all levels, improve the efficiency of state institutions, and reduce the burden on both citizens and staff. Their scope is constantly expanding. This is why, before personally visiting the relevant government departments, citizens should first check whether the required service is already available online.”