Register modernisation at a glance

Register modernisation is not just a technical project, but also central to the digitalisation strategy of the federal, state and local governments

Register modernisation is central to the digital strategy of the federal, state and local

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Foundation and purpose of the RegMo project

On 23 June 2021, the federal and state governments adopted the "Overall Control of Register Modernisation" initiative (RegMo for short). This ambitious project aims to create a centralised component system, known as the Once-Only-Technical-System (NOOTS). The aim is to make data from various public administration registers centrally available. This should increase efficiency and promote digitalisation in the public sector.

The implementation of RegMo is subject to various legal requirements. The legal obligation to link registers should be emphasised in particular. This obligation applies to all register-keeping bodies at federal, state and local authority level and ensures structured and standardised access to the data.

RegMo is not just a technical project, but also a central element in the digitalisation strategy of the federal, state and local governments. It pursues five main objectives:

simplification of data retrieval for citizens
improving administrative services
support for research and science
digitisation of the register census by 2031
promotion of the open data policy

The project serves as a catalyst for numerous other initiatives and strategies. At its core is the vision of making data available "at the touch of a button" in the future. This concerns both citizens who wish to make use of administrative services and the scientific community. Register modernisation therefore forms the basis for the implementation of automation potential or fully digital processes through the use of rule-based systems or the application of AI.

The Identification Number Act (IDNrG) serves as the legal basis. It regulates the introduction of the tax identification number as a standardised identification feature in administrative registers. The main objectives are to uniquely assign data to individuals, increase data quality and reduce the administrative burden for citizens.

The IDNrG lists 51 affected registers, including 19 classified as priority registers. These include already established registers such as the population register, but also future registers such as the trade registers. The complete list of registers can be viewed on the website of the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Chart (in German only)

European legal obligations through the Single Digital Gateway (SDG) Regulation

Overview and goals

The Single Digital Gateway (SDG) Regulation was adopted by the European Union in 2018. It aims to establish a standardised digital portal for administrative services within the EU. This entails various obligations for Germany and all other member states, including the complete digitalisation of 21 procedure bundles and connection to the European Once-Only-Technical-System (EU-OOTS).

The SDG Regulation and the German OZG have similar objectives: They are intended to promote the digitalisation of public administration and make services accessible via a single portal. The SDG Regulation extends this to a European level and implements the once-only principle across borders.

The requirements of the SDG Regulation are set out in three articles in particular:

Article 6: National online services must be fully electronic
Article 13: These services must also be available across borders for users in other EU countries
Article 14: Electronic evidence should be able to be transmitted automatically throughout the EU

All member states, including Germany, must have implemented the requirements of the SDG Regulation by 12 December 2023. Among other things, this means that procedures such as applying for student funding or a registration certificate must be digitally accessible not only nationally, but also throughout the EU.

The SDG Regulation has a direct impact on the ongoing efforts to modernise registers in Germany. It imposes additional requirements, including EU-wide networking and the provision of cross-border services, which must be taken into account in national efforts.