“Don’t let the bureaucrats wear you down,” Der Standard covers Estonia’s digital edge

What makes digital government truly work? In a recent feature by Der Standard, Estonia’s digital transformation took center stage during Austria’s E-Government Conference in Vienna, with a powerful message from policymakers and industry alike: trust, not just tech, is the real foundation of effective public services.

Estonia’s Minister for Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, emphasized that digitalisation is not primarily a technological challenge, but a legal and societal one. Trust in institutions, transparent use of data, and meaningful cooperation between public and private actors are what allow digital services to succeed at scale.

Priit Alamäe, CEO of Nortal, contributed to the discussion with a candid reflection on Estonia’s digital journey. He highlighted that Estonia’s willingness to make bold policy decisions early on, such as the Once Only principle adopted back in 2005, laid the groundwork for one of the world’s most advanced digital societies.

“Many pillars of post-war society, such as institutional trust and belief in a shared truth, are eroding,” said Alamäe. “But digital government, done right, can be a stabilizing force. Everyone has a part to play in restoring trust.”

Fotocredit: @ADV/Cameron Menschhorn

A striking example? Estonia’s Tax and Customs Board ranks among the most trusted institutions in the country, despite being a tax authority. The connection between trust and public value couldn’t be clearer.

The article also explored Austria’s current efforts, including the relaunch of the ID Austria platform, and reaffirmed the role of international collaboration and private innovation in accelerating progress.

 Read the full article (in German)
„Nur nicht von den Bürokraten unterkriegen lassen“ – Der Standard, 11. Juni 2025

As Nortal continues to work across Europe and beyond, we remain committed to shaping digital societies where people trust the services they use, and the institutions behind them.