Segeberg district takes the first step: administrative visits via video call!

Segeberg district takes the first step: administrative visits via video call!

On September 30, 2025, the Segeberg district will take a decisive step into the digital future. The district is now the first administration in Schleswig-Holstein to offer the option of conducting official business via video calls. This innovative solution comes at just the right time to reduce long queues and bureaucratic hurdles. Every appointment must be arranged in advance, which guarantees that the applications are processed in a structured manner.

What is particularly noteworthy is that student BAföG can be applied for via video call every Thursday. The digital offer is an important step because over 680,000 pupils and students in Germany are dependent on statutory training assistance. The BAföG application is often young people's first contact with the authorities, which can sometimes represent the ultrasonic transformation in the world of bureaucracy, explains the Ministry of Education on its platform for the “BAföG Digital” project.

Advantages of digital administration

One of the biggest advantages of digital administration is barrier-free access to services. Using the new video call platform, additional people such as interpreters can easily be added to the conversation. This avoids misunderstandings and allows applications to be processed easily. Fees can also be conveniently paid digitally during the session, making the process much easier for everyone involved.

The purpose of the E-Government Act, which has been in force since August 2013, is to digitalize the handling of business processes in administration and thus make it more efficient. It relies on electronic communication and minimizing paper-based processes. This not only helps avoid errors, but also significantly simplifies citizen interaction with the authorities. The law promotes a modern administration that dynamically adapts to people's needs.

A look into the future

The city administration plans to offer further offers via video calls in the coming months and years. Now that the first steps have been successfully implemented, it will be interesting to see what other digital administrative processes will be available in the future. The E-Government Act obliges local, federal and state governments to drive forward this transformation process in order to ensure effective and citizen-oriented administration.

Another focus is on the transfer and processing of data. Relevant evidence can be stored via a register retrieval, which further simplifies the application process for those affected. This is a huge step towards a modern and efficient administration.

Overall, we are at the beginning of a digital revolution within administration that is not only noticeable in Schleswig-Holstein. The example of the Segeberg district could serve as a model for other municipalities and shows that digital solutions will prevail. The journey has begun, and it remains exciting to see how the digital administration world continues to develop.

For more information on this topic you can read the articles from NDR, init and d-velop visit.