Germany advances municipal digital administration in Saarland and Hessen

German states Saarland and Hessen are advancing the digitalization of municipal administrations through federal support and pilot programs.

In Saarland, the state council has decided to participate in the federal program ‘Flächendeckung digitale Verwaltungsleistungen’. The initiative aims to make five central administrative services accessible online across all municipalities by June 30, 2027. These services include electronic residence registration, digital driver's license applications, a broadband portal, applications for passenger transport permits, and funeral cost assistance. The federal government will cover the technical connection costs for municipalities, with implementation managed by the eGo-Saar association.

Meanwhile, Hessen is reporting progress in its pilot project to roll out digital administrative services nationwide. Following a joint initiative with the federal government started in September 2025, Hessen has been testing technical requirements and support models with six pilot municipalities. The project utilizes the ‘Once-for-All’ principle to implement existing digital services across municipalities, supported by specialized ‘roll-in teams’. The Hessian approach is gaining national interest, with states such as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Thuringia, and Lower Saxony adopting similar models.