The Saarland state government is continuing to advance the reduction of bureaucracy and the modernization of government and administration.
Anke Rehlinger presented a comprehensive efficiency package today at the state press conference. "We want more trust instead of bureaucracy," said the Saarland head of government.
The efficiency package is based on three pillars: first, the modernization process "Making it Easier," promoted by the state government since 2023; second, the Saarland Modernization Agenda, consisting of those measures agreed upon between the federal government and the states that Saarland can implement independently; and third, two further legislative initiatives that Rehlinger summarizes as the "Efficiency Act."
„Bureaucracy has gotten out of hand in Germany – towards the citizens, towards companies, but also within the administration. That is why we are taking action,“ said Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger.
Modernization Process "Make it Easier"
Since 2023, the state government has been working on a modernization process to simplify administrative procedures and, for example, make services for citizens digitally available more quickly. Of a total of 63 action packages, 38 have now been fully implemented, which corresponds to 60 percent. According to Rehlinger, another 24 are currently in progress. Among the progress, the Prime Minister counted the significant expansion of digital administrative services, the digitization of the Central Foreigners' Authority, the introduction of a central property management system for the state administration, as well as simplifications in procurement law. "We are demonstrating that modernization brings concrete improvements for people. In terms of digital administrative services, we have advanced from a lower position nationally to the upper midfield," said Rehlinger.
Saarland Modernization Agenda
Based on the Federal Modernization Agenda adopted by the federal government and the states, the state government has developed a Saarland Modernization Agenda. The state does not have to wait for preliminary work from the federal government or other states for the measures contained therein. These projects are to be submitted to the state parliament after the summer break. Planned measures include simplifying approval procedures, waiving certain proof and submission obligations, and repealing regulations and guidelines that are no longer necessary. "Bureaucracy is a problem for citizens, companies, and also for the administration itself. The Saarland state government sees itself as a partner in solving this problem," said Minister-President Rehlinger.
Abolish reporting obligations and provide more leeway for municipalities
As a third component, Rehlinger announced an efficiency law that provides for "two radical steps." All state-mandated reporting requirements for companies are to be abolished, unless they can be explicitly justified as necessary. Legal requirements from the federal government or the European Union remain unaffected. "We are reversing the logic: in the future, those who want to maintain or create reporting requirements must justify them – no longer those who want to abolish them. This is a real paradigm shift in reducing bureaucracy," said Rehlinger.
In addition, the state government is planning an "experimental clause" for municipalities. It is intended to allow them to be exempted from state legal requirements in certain areas in order to test new and more efficient solutions. If these approaches prove successful in practice, they can be adopted statewide. "Our municipalities know the local challenges best. That is why we want to give them more leeway to try out new ways," explained Rehlinger.
The measures of the Saarland Modernization Agenda and the Efficiency Act are now entering the external consultation phase. The state government aims to submit them to the Saarland state parliament immediately after the summer break.
The paper "Modernization process reviewed 2026" is available for download, among other things.
Photos of the state press conference can be found at: www.saarland.de/pressphotos
