Escaldes-Engordany Targets Fully Digital Administration by 2027

Escaldes-Engordany is advancing its digital transformation to streamline administrative processes for residents and businesses, with most procedures set to be handled online by 2027.

Quim Dolsa, the commune's minor consul and councillor for Finance, Procurement, and ICT, outlined the initiative in a recent interview. He emphasised that the goal is to make interactions with local government simpler, faster, and more transparent, using digital tools to remove unnecessary hurdles without replacing in-person services.

The IT team has implemented a 2023-2025 roadmap, introducing an electronic file system that already enables many online procedures. A second three-year phase is now underway, culminating in the launch of a Virtual Tax Office by 2027. This platform will complete a fully digital administration option, allowing users to access services with "one click" from home—covering tasks like checking files, requesting certificates, and managing payments, except in specific exceptional cases.

Dolsa highlighted practical benefits, such as residents applying to split payments without visiting the commune offices. The changes will extend to businesses, reducing bureaucracy and offering greater flexibility to meet the needs of the local economy.

Digital services will complement, not eliminate, face-to-face support. "Digitalisation adds to what we offer but does not replace it," Dolsa said, stressing the need to accommodate those who prefer personal contact or lack digital comfort. Proximity remains a priority.

Next year will focus on internal preparations: reviewing, simplifying, and integrating processes into the new system. The platform has already been acquired, with minority parties involved to ensure the project transcends political cycles and benefits the entire parish in the medium term.