Estonia "applies" to Germany

While many countries are still talking about visions of the future, it has long since become a reality in Estonia: Since January 2025, all government services have been available completely digitally - from setting up a business to tax returns and online divorce. Estonia is thus demonstrating how an efficient, secure and citizen-oriented e-state can function.

The campaign "The Best CV you'll see this year", initiated by Trade Estonia, presents Estonia as a pioneer in digital administration. At the heart of the campaign is a landing page (tradewithestonia.com/ict-germany), which is designed as a digital CV and bundles skills, references and practical examples.

The strengths of Estonia

• Cybersecurity and data sovereignty: Estonia operates a highly secure infrastructure that is also used by NATO and the EU.
• Digital identity: Every citizen has an ID for legally secure online transactions.
• Cloud-enabled e-government systems: Modular, interoperable and internationally transferable.
• Use of AI: For automation and data analysis in public authorities in strict compliance with European data protection standards.
• Export of expertise: for example in healthcare, finance, logistics, education and energy.

Lauri Luht, CIO at the Estonian Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, explains: "Estonia's administration is now fully digital - we see this not only as a national success, but also as a model for international cooperation. With our campaign, we want to show how digitalization can work in partnership and in practice - even across borders."

Germany is the main target of the campaign. While Germany has invested more in digital infrastructure in recent years, according to studies such as the eGovernment Monitor, implementation and user-friendliness are still often lacking. Estonia offers concrete solutions and partnerships here.

Martin Rebs, CEO of Nortal Germany, emphasizes:
"Estonia may seem small, but the ideas and mindset are immensely exciting. In a completely digital society with analog social structures, you can clearly see how success can be achieved quickly and cost-effectively in much larger societies. It is not the technology that is decisive, but the approach to implementation and consistent focus on end users and their digital needs. There is a reason why so many globally highly successful start-ups come from Estonia."

With this appearance, Estonia wants to show: The digital transformation is not a promise for the future - but a lived reality from which Germany can also benefit.