April 15, 2026, 6:59 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The digitalization of government services in Germany has been progressing slowly for years. Many services still don’t work online. Appointments with authorities often can’t be booked digitally, and comprehensive services are completely lacking in many places. However, there is now movement: The federal government has reportedly tasked two major companies with developing a central citizen app.
According to the “Handelsblatt” (paywall), Deutsche Telekom and SAP are working on an application that aims to consolidate various government services. The information is based on internal project documents and statements from participants in a presentation by the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization (BMDS). Upon inquiry, the parties involved confirmed these plans.
App to Simplify Access to Important Services
The planned application is primarily intended to reduce bureaucracy and make life easier for citizens. The goal is a central platform through which government services can be accessed easily. According to the report, the initial focus will be on services related to labor and social affairs.
The first-mentioned functions include: applying for child benefits, registering a residence, applying for basic old-age security, and starting a business. This would consolidate several previously separate processes in one place. However, it may take some time before the final version is ready.
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Initial Tests to Begin in Several Cities
A first prototype of the app is set to be tested in April 2026. Test runs are planned in Hamburg, Dresden, Nuremberg, and Wiesbaden. Additionally, the application is to be used by the Federal Employment Agency. However, this is initially only a technical test. The goal is to verify the feasibility of the solution.
According to “heise.de“, the BMDS stated that a public tender is planned for the final implementation. The current prototype is based on existing contracts with SAP and Telekom. Later, other companies could also participate in the development and operation.
Technical Details and Open Questions
Previously, the Handelsblatt reported that no tender was planned. Accordingly, Telekom subsidiary T-Systems was to take over operations, while SAP would provide the technical foundation. This includes the Business Technology Platform and “learning AI agents.” These are intended to assist users with applications and automate processes.
Schwarz Digits was named as another partner. The company is to integrate the messenger Wire as a communication solution. However, these details apparently only pertain to the current prototype.
Many details remain open. There is no information yet on the start date, costs, or official name. Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) has already suggested the name “Deutschland App.”