From the Town Hall Hallway to the Internet

Press Release From the Town Hall Corridor to the Internet: How Schiffweiler is Digitizing Its Administration Step by Step Schiffweiler. Applying for a driver's license, submitting a statement in a fine procedure, or handling various administrative services – many of these tasks can now be conveniently completed from home in the municipality of Schiffweiler. With the introduction of digital driver's license applications in early June, another milestone has been added. However, this new service represents much more than just a single digital project. For several years now, the municipality of Schiffweiler has been consistently pursuing the goal of digitizing its administration. It is not only about simplifying visits to authorities but also about making administrative processes overall more modern, efficient, and citizen-friendly. At the same time, the protection of sensitive data plays a central role. Digitization and information security are deliberately considered together. Digitization as a Long-Term Process The journey began several years ago. In November 2022, the digital citizen service was launched on the municipality's website. Since then, the range of services has grown continuously. More and more services can be applied for or processed online – independent of opening hours and without the need for personal attendance. The municipality follows a clear principle: digitization should be used where it offers real added value to citizens and simplifies administrative procedures. However, simply providing digital services is not enough. Security as a Foundation The more administrative services are offered digitally, the more important it becomes to protect the processed data. For this reason, the municipality of Schiffweiler early on advanced the establishment of an information security management system. With success: in November 2023, Schiffweiler became the first municipality in Saarland to be certified according to the international ISO 27001 standard. This certification followed an approximately two-year process during which technical security measures as well as organizational procedures, emergency plans, risk management, and the continuous improvement of information security were reviewed. That this topic is no longer a theoretical task is demonstrated by cyberattacks on public administrations across Germany. In some cases, cities and municipalities were restricted in their operational capacity for weeks. As a pilot project of the Working Group on Municipal Data Protection and Information Security, Schiffweiler early on relied on professional security structures, thus creating important prerequisites for further digitization of the administration. Not only modern technology but also clear processes and raising awareness among employees play a crucial role. New Digital Services Based on this foundation, the digital offerings have been continuously expanded in recent years. Since October 2024, citizens can conduct hearings in administrative offense procedures online via the WiNOWiG system. Affected persons can access the platform directly via a QR code to submit their statement or pay fines digitally. Here, too, ease of use and secure data transmission are the focus. Pilot Municipality for the Online Driver’s License With the introduction of digital driver's license applications, the municipality is now taking the next step. Already in December 2024, Schiffweiler was selected as a pilot municipality together with EGO-Saar for the launch of the new online service in Saarland. The foundation is the so-called EfA principle – "One for All." Digital administrative services are developed once and then made available to other states and municipalities. The technical implementation was carried out by the state of Hesse and Ekom21. Numerous technical challenges had to be overcome before launch. Interfaces to specialist procedures had to be set up, certificates integrated, and various systems coordinated. At times, several institutions were involved simultaneously in the implementation. Since June 1, the first driver's license applications can now be submitted online. These include initial applications as well as accompanied driving from 17 years of age. Further application options are to follow step by step. A BundID account and the online ID function are required for use. Fees can be paid digitally. The Digital Town Hall Continues to Grow For the municipality of Schiffweiler, the online driver's license is not a conclusion but another step on a long-term path. The digital town hall is to be continuously expanded. At the same time, internal administrative processes are modernized, and information security is continuously further developed. The goal is to offer administrative services as digitally as possible - from application to processing to payment. In terms of digital payment options as well, the municipality relies on modern solutions. Already today, various online services can be paid for securely and conveniently online. For the driver's license application, PayPal and credit card payment options are available, with plans to expand the offerings to include the European payment system Wero in the future. Additionally, fines in administrative offense hearings can be paid directly online. Mayor Cedric Jochum sees this as an important future task: "A modern administration must be citizen-oriented, efficient, and secure. Digitization should make everyday life easier for people and make administrative services more accessible. At the same time, we bear responsibility for protecting sensitive data. Therefore, service, information security, and modern digital offerings are inseparably linked for us. The digital driver's license is another important building block on this path, which the municipality of Schiffweiler has been consistently pursuing for years." The digital driver's license adds another stage to this journey. From digital citizen services to being the first ISO 27001-certified municipal administration in Saarland, to modern online services and digital payment options, the municipality of Schiffweiler is steadily expanding its digital town hall – aiming to make administration simpler, safer, and more citizen-friendly. Year Milestones 2022 Launch of the digital citizen service 2022 Introduction of a document management system 2023 First ISO 27001-certified municipality in Saarland 2024 Introduction of online hearing WiNOWiG 2024 Pilot municipality for the digital driver's license 2025 Introduction of several online services, including dog tax registration and deregistration, application for an excerpt from the card index 2026 Introduction of the online service for reporting wild animal damage 2026 Launch of the first online driver's license applications 2026 AI-supported transcription of municipal council meetings Outlook 2026 Introduction of an AI-powered telephone assistant to support citizen services 2026 Introduction of Wero as an additional payment option for online services 2026 Introduction of an AI-supported street management system 2026 Introduction of the digital personnel office 2026 Introduction of the digital municipal depot 2026/2027 Introduction of electronic residence registration Expansion of further digital administrative processes