The European Commission is intensifying its efforts to digitally transform Europe, focusing on simplifying regulations and reducing administrative burdens for citizens and businesses. Under the 'Digital Decade' policy programme, the Commission has set concrete targets for 2030, with a vision to shape a human-centred, sustainable, and more prosperous digital future.
A central initiative in this push is the 'Once-Only Principle' (OOP). This e-government concept ensures that citizens and businesses only have to provide certain standard information to authorities once. Public administrations can then share this data internally, even across borders, thereby reducing red tape and simplifying public services. By December 2023, all Member States are required to comply with the Once-Only Principle as referenced in the Single Digital Gateway Regulation (SDGR).
The Single Digital Gateway (SDG) is another critical tool. Operating through the 'Your Europe' portal, the SDG facilitates online access to information, administrative procedures, and assistance services that EU citizens and businesses may need in another EU country. The gateway covers 21 key life situations, such as registering a car, applying for a study loan, or starting a business. The Commission estimates that companies could save up to €11 billion a year through the gateway.
More recently, the Commission launched the 'Digital Omnibus' initiative to further simplify digital rules. This initiative aims to cut the administrative burden by at least 25% for all companies and 35% for small and medium-sized enterprises, targeting areas like data legislation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI). As stated by Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, “We aim for less paperwork, fewer overlaps and less complex rules for companies doing business in the EU.”
The AI strategy is also a key pillar. The Commission proposed the first-ever legal framework on AI, the 'AI Act', with the goal of fostering trustworthy artificial intelligence. This regulation, which was passed by the European Parliament on 13 March 2024, establishes risk-based rules for the development and deployment of AI systems. The 'Apply AI' strategy aims to speed up the use of AI in key industries and the public sector, reinforcing Europe's competitiveness and technological sovereignty.