Government advancements in digitalization process - Advancements in Digitalisation by the Administration
### Thuringia Advances in Digital Administrative Services
Thuringia, a federal state in Germany, is making significant strides in digitalizing administrative services, particularly in public administration and citizen interaction. The state government aims to make Thuringia a digital showcase, as evidenced by the expanding range of online services now available.
#### E-Invoicing and Public Administration
The Thüringer E-Government-Gesetz (ThürEGovG) and the Thüringer E-Rechnungs-Verordnung (ThüringerERechVO) regulate electronic invoicing and digitalized administrative processes in Thuringia [1]. The state uses the OZG-RE platform for receiving electronic invoices, with accepted communication channels including web capture, web upload, email, and the Peppol network. Thuringia accepts the XRechnung standard and other CEN-compatible standards for electronic invoices, aligning with EU and federal requirements [1].
#### Digitalization of Citizen Services
Thuringia is actively expanding digital naturalization services. As of 2024–2025, the districts of Eichsfeld, Altenburger Land, and Weimarer Land have joined digital naturalization initiatives, allowing for more efficient and accessible processes for applicants [3]. The push for digital naturalization reflects a broader effort to make administrative services more accessible to citizens, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and processing times [3].
#### Comparison with Other German States
Thuringia, Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria all use centralized or local portals for e-invoicing, while Bavaria opts for a decentralized approach [1]. All states accept XRechnung and CEN-compatible standards, ensuring interoperability with EU requirements [1]. Thuringia stands out for its recent expansion of digital naturalization services, making it one of the leaders in digitalizing citizen-facing administrative processes among smaller states [3].
#### Broader Trends in Digital Administration
Across Germany, public administrations are embracing digital transformation. This includes modernizing interfaces with citizens, digitalizing internal processes, and fostering cooperation between IT and traditional administrative roles [2]. The public sector is increasingly seeking professionals trained in digital administration management to support these changes, with educational institutions offering specialized programs to meet this demand [2].
As of now, Thuringia offers 1,231 online administrative services, including 426 state services and 805 federal administrative services. The Thuringian online offerings range from digital applications for BAföG or parental leave to registering a vehicle and even founding a craft business [4]. The Thuringian online offerings continue to expand and diversify, placing Thuringia just behind Bavaria (1,264) and Hamburg (1,473) in the number of online administrative services [4].
The task now is to make the existing digital administrative services better known, as the figures for the number of online services in Thuringia are updated to include federal, state, and municipal offerings [4]. The progress in digitalization of administrative services in Thuringia is significant, with the goal of reducing bureaucracy and simplifying application processes through digitalization [4]. Previously, Thuringia was in sixth place, but it has now moved up to third place nationwide in the provision of digital administrative services [4].
Sources:
[1] Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Modernization in Berlin
[2] German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Community
[3] State of Thuringia
[4] State Secretary for Digital Affairs in Thuringia, Milen Starke
In light of Thuringia's advancements in digitalizing administrative services, it is crucial to facilitate vocational training programs for individuals proficient in digital administration management, ensuring the state can continue to optimize its digital services. Additionally, the state can explore extending vocational training programs in vocational training, including vocational training for digital naturalization services, to further streamline and upgrade its digital offerings and remain competitive among German states.
