E-GOV OWL: Central and Eastern European digital transformation progress June - December 2024
The Consumer Choice Center Europe, in collaboration with EU Tech Loop, has released the second edition of “E-GOV OWL”, a bi-annual review of the digital advancements of Central and Eastern European governments. This edition highlights key institutional and legislative changes from the past year while showcasing the most innovative campaigns driving digital transformation across the region. Featured countries include Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovenia.
Find the full report here.
Estonia
Estonia, the Central and Eastern European leader in international digital development rankings, closed the year on a high note. The country introduced new e-services, unveiled strategic plans for the coming years, and implemented several red-tape-cutting measures to streamline processes.
Find Estonia’s report here.
Summary:
New services: E-divorce; Eesti.ee mobile app; My pension service; Mobile voting; Company financing and term commitments; Mandatory e-invoices.
Red tape decreased: Modernized employment regulations; Reporting burden reduced by up to 90% with automatic data exchange.
Red tape increased; EU transposition: Transposition of EU product safety regulation; Tax increases.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes:Digital diplomacy principles to aid Estonian exporters; Digital roadmap for digital decade; E-identity strategy; Strategic priorities 2025-2028; Cybersecurity strategy 2024-2030.
Latvia
Latvia, another Baltic leader, has been highly active over the past six months. The country introduced a range of new e-services, upgraded portal interfaces, implemented institutional changes, and forged new global partnerships.
Find Latvia’s report here.
Summary:
E-services: New login methods for Latvija.gov.lv; Customer service network expanded; Renewed open data portal; Amendments to block pirate websites easier; Disclosure of AI use in pre-election campaigns mandated.
Red tape decreased: Simplified VAT rules for small businesses using foreign platforms.
Red tape increased, EU transposition: NIS2 transposition; Bans on advertising prices and discounts for wine and beer; Crypto asset services law.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes:Partnership with Microsoft on AI & digital transformation; National AI center launched; State regional development agency reorganized to State digital development agency.
Lithuania
The outgoing Lithuanian government maintained its momentum over the past six months, implementing measures to cut red tape, launching new partnerships, and introducing fresh concepts and institutional reforms.
Find Lithuania’s report here.
Summary:
Red tape decreased: Innovative public procurement; Simplified internet service quality rules, Digital SME declaration tool; Amendments to strengthen capital market.
Red tape increased, EU transposition: NIS2 transposition; Product safety regulations; DSA transposition.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes: Partnership with MIT; Hybrid cloud model; AI Act transposition, AI sandbox; Digitalization agency strengthened and renamed; New state-owned data centers open.
Poland
Poland has been actively preparing for its Presidency of the Council of the EU, set to begin on January 1st. Despite this focus, the country’s digital transformation leaders continued to advance key initiatives, including work on the e-government super app M-Obywatel, transposing EU legislation, and drafting new strategies for the years ahead.
Find Poland’s report here.
Summary:
E-services: E-delivery; Real-time GNSS signal monitoring system to be launched; New features on M-Obywatel e-gov app.
Privacy: Polish alternative to CSAM/Chat Control to protect minors online.
Red tape increase, EU transposition: NIS2 transposition; AI Act; Electronic communications law.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes: Upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU; AI factory in Krakow; AI Fund; Polish Digitalization Strategy 2035; Semiconductor strategy; INTEL plans stopped in Poland; IDEAS institute for AI research launched; Polish telco & media companies listed as strategic companies.
Czechia
Czechia is steadily advancing the implementation of the "Right to Digital Services Act," aimed at digitizing all public services. Recent developments include the launch of new e-services and the adoption of strategies for AI and semiconductors. Additionally, the former Deputy Prime Minister has proposed reforms to enable higher salaries for IT talent in the public sector.
Find Czechia’s report here.
Summary:
E-services: Flood recovery website; Paperless digital representation authorizations; Digital and information agency takes over key registers; The right to digital services act continues to be implemented; Czech e-id app expands; Critical travel alert and crisis assistance system DROZD added to mobile e-gov app.
Red tape increase; EU transposition: Implementation of DSA & DGA.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes: New economic strategy; Semiconductor strategy; AI strategy; Higher salaries for IT talent addressed.
Slovakia
Slovakia’s digital transformation is unfolding on two fronts. While key digital projects continue, the change in government has introduced a politically charged atmosphere. Additionally, the digital projects agency Slovensko IT has been dissolved.
Find Slovakia’s report here.
Summary:
E-services: Remote mandate certificate; EU digital identity wallet; 16 life situations digitalized; Centralized cybersecurity portal; AI information point website; Slovensko IT dissolved.
EU transposition: Cybersecurity law amendments.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes: Perun supercomputer.
Hungary
Hungary’s digital transformation efforts are not widely publicized, but key initiatives over the past six months included preparations for its Presidency of the Council of the EU and the launch of its digital citizenship e-government app.
Find Hungary’s report here.
Summary:
E-services: Digital citizenship e-gov app; IT procurement tool.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes: Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Romania
Romania has been active in launching new platforms and e-services, approving strategies for AI and the Digital Decade. However, progress may slow due to uncertainty surrounding the political situation following the presidential election. Last, but not least: the EU has launched an investigation into TikTok’s potential involvement in influencing the election results.
Find Romania’s report here.
Summary:
E-services: ROE-ID system gets EU approval; Digital4all platform launched.
Force majeure: TikTok investigation begins.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes:National AI strategy approved; Action plan for Digital Decade 2030 approved; Vodafone and Digi explore acquisition of Telekom Romania; Romania joins AI factories initiative.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria has focused on developing AI chat systems, advanced AI models for the Bulgarian language, and implementing machine voting.
Find Bulgaria’s report here.
Summary:
E-services: National cybersecurity operations center established; First AI chat system launched.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes:Bulgaria moves towards machine voting; New robotics center opens in Plovdiv; Advanced AI models for Bulgarian language launched.
Croatia
Croatia introduced its first fact-checking system for citizens, enhanced transparency in public service employment, and raised VAT and income tax thresholds to stimulate economic growth.
Find Croatia’s report here.
Summary:
E-services: Centralized civil service employment system; Co-owners registers established; Fact-checking system launched.
Red tape decrease:VAT and income tax thresholds increased.
Slovenia
Slovenia has focused on transposing EU regulations, including the DGA, e-invoicing, and anti-terrorism measures. The country also joined the digital VIP format D9+ and established a semiconductor competence center.
Find Slovenia’s report here.
Summary:
Red tape increase, EU transposition: Data governance act; Implementation of e-invoicing; Anti-terrorist regulation.
Concepts, strategies, institutional changes: Semiconductor competence center; Slovenia joins D9+; Digital decade strategic roadmap approved.