Uckermark and Schwedt: Virtual building authority takes off – building applications digitally!

Uckermark and Schwedt: Virtual building authority takes off – building applications digitally!

On Monday, June 23, 2025, the starting signal was given for the virtual building authority in the Uckermark district and the city of Schwedt. This innovative solution is intended to advance the digitalization of the building application process in Brandenburg and is expected to be fully implemented by 2026. Already in the first few days it is clear that the digital offer is well received by applicants. “The goal is to give citizens and companies quick access to administrative services,” emphasizes Detlef Tabbert, the Minister for Infrastructure and State Planning. He is committed to accelerating planning and approval processes in Germany, following the initiative of the Federal Construction Minister.

A key advantage of the Virtual Building Authority is the networking of everyone involved: builders, planners, authorities and communities can now work together more easily and transparently. This digital platform allows processing times to be significantly shortened, which not only reduces bureaucracy, but also benefits environmental protection - less paper consumption is guaranteed.

Digital process and easy application

The app offers round-the-clock accessibility for applications, which is particularly advantageous in times of flexible working hours. In addition to the support through digital participation of those responsible for public affairs, applicants can follow their process online. According to cityreport.pnr24-online.de, the pilot districts show that up to two thirds of building applications can now be submitted online. A further impetus is provided by the possibility of preparing up to 100 files for submission with a maximum size of 80 MB. Only PDF files may be used, which ensures a smooth process. The maximum total amount of data has an upper limit of 200 MB, and file names must be chosen appropriately to guarantee smooth processing.

The virtual building authority is being introduced by 20 building supervisory authorities, including 14 districts and 6 cities. Four building supervisory authorities are now in live operation: Oberspreewald-Lausitz, Märkisch-Oderland, Prignitz and Teltow-Fläming. Six other authorities have already accepted digital building applications, while the rest are still working in the test system. The Virtual Building Authority should be available nationwide by the end of 2025.

Pioneering work by other federal states

Similar initiatives to digitize building applications are also on the rise in other federal states. In the Altötting district, for example, building applications have been submitted digitally for a month. This model offers a practical solution to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. The Bavarian pilot project, which includes several district offices, shows that over 1,500 digital applications have already been successfully submitted. Here too, digitalization is seen as an opportunity to shorten processing times and ensure that applications can be submitted with complete documents.

Digital building applications are submitted using intelligent electronic forms and no longer need to be submitted in paper form. The ability to submit building applications electronically opens up new perspectives for architects and civil engineers to make the process more efficient. As part of the Online Access Act, digital applications are systematically promoted, which paves the way for modern construction administration.

The developments in Brandenburg not only show that the digital transformation in construction administration is making progress, but also that many municipalities are seriously working on consistent digitalization. While the prerequisites are being created, it now remains to be seen how quickly the complete rollout for the Virtual Building Authority progresses throughout Brandenburg and what further paths this digital networking opens up.