Call to Simplify EU Public Administration
A recent commentary argues for a fundamental rethinking of the European Union's legacy administrative complexity. The author advocates for applying digital-age principles to simplify citizens' lives, moving beyond purely technological solutions to address underlying bureaucratic structures.
The European Commission's "Digital Decade" policy programme sets ambitious targets for 2030, aiming for 100% online accessibility of key public services and enabling all citizens to access their digital medical records. This strategy is a significant driver for member states to modernize their administrations and overcome the complexities that have historically created barriers for citizens and businesses. A cornerstone of this digital transformation is the "once-only" principle, a key feature of the Single Digital Gateway Regulation. This principle mandates that citizens and businesses should only have to provide their data once to public administrations, with authorities then reusing this information across different departments and even borders, reducing administrative burdens. The goal is to create a seamless and efficient experience, moving away from siloed and repetitive data collection processes. The eIDAS Regulation provides the legal and technical framework for secure cross-border electronic identification and trust services. This regulation ensures that a digital identity issued in one EU country is recognized and accepted in all others, which is fundamental for accessing public services across the Union. It supports everything from electronic signatures to secure data exchange, forming the backbone of a trusted digital single market. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into public services to enhance efficiency and decision-making. In Denmark, a chatbot named Muni assists residents across 37 municipalities with their service-related questions, while Spain utilizes AI to detect tax fraud. A 2024 report indicated that over a third of EU public administrations were using AI, with Europe now surpassing the US and UK in the number of public sector AI projects. To foster a user-centric approach, the EU-funded inGOV project has developed a framework to help public administrations design services *with* citizens, not just *for* them. Pilot programs in Malta, Austria, Croatia, and Greece have tested this collaborative model, tackling issues like integrating household data from different departments and digitizing access to social benefits. This aligns with the broader push for GovTech solutions that increase government efficiency and Civic Tech platforms that enhance citizen engagement. Despite progress, challenges in digital transformation persist across member states, including fragmented administrative structures, a shortage of specialized skills, and legacy IT systems. A study of GovTech ecosystems in Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Portugal highlighted varying struggles, from conservative procurement processes in Germany to difficulties in scaling successful local pilots to a national level in the Netherlands. In response to concerns about over-regulation, the European Commission launched a "simplification revolution" in 2025. This initiative aims to reduce regulatory burdens and compliance costs, with proposed targets of cutting reporting requirements by 25% for large companies and 35% for SMEs. This agenda is driven by reports from figures like Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, who argued that regulatory complexity stifles innovation.
