One year after presenting its “Action Plan for the Digitization of Administration for the Economy 2024–2026,” the Senate Department for Economics, Energy, and Public Enterprises has given a positive assessment. Both the expansion of digital services for businesses and the development of digital infrastructure are progressing faster than planned. At the same time, support for Berlin's economy in its own digital transformation is growing.
The Digital Economic Service (DIWI) is a central pillar of this effort. There are now 459 digital services available – far more than the target of 301 by the end of 2025 (end of 2024: 83). Usage is increasing: by October, 78,156 business registrations had been processed online (2024: 82,834), along with 1,203 foreign professional qualifications (2024: 732) and 925 restaurant applications (2024: 362). From 2026, PayPal will also be available as a payment option; the technical connection of the districts is currently underway.
The multilingual, AI-supported DIWI chatbot will be launched on December 1, 2025. It is integrated into all pages of the Senate Department of Economics and provides answers to frequently asked business questions, such as how to open a restaurant.
Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economics, Energy, and Public Enterprises:
"One year after launching our action plan, it is clear how far we have already come in digitizing administration for Berlin's economy. Our businesses, founders, and skilled workers from abroad now benefit from over 450 digital services, significantly simplified start-up processes, and an infrastructure that sets high standards with 5G, fiber optics, and gigabit speeds. The new AI-supported DIWI chatbot offers fast support around the clock, and with the start-up app, we are the first federal state to enable companies to be founded completely digitally via an app. This is not only user-friendly, but also saves valuable time.
This development shows that digitalization succeeds when administration, business, and digital technologies come together and we develop products that are truly needs-oriented. In this way, we are creating the framework conditions for Berlin to be an efficient, innovative, and attractive business location."
At the end of October 2025, a new specialized procedure was introduced in the trade offices, laying the foundation for the “digital trade office.” Interfaces are now being gradually established to enable seamless processes in the future—from initial contact and e-payment to the delivery of the decision.
Berlin is also playing a pioneering role nationwide: the connection to the KfW start-up platform app allows business registration and tax registration to be submitted digitally in one step, including an online payment function.
The digital infrastructure is also reaching new standards. Berlin has complete 5G coverage of all households and transport routes, thus meeting the mobile communications target of the Gigabit Strategy. By mid-2025, Gigabit coverage had reached 96% and fiber optic expansion 44.6% – still above the national level.
The Digital Agency Berlin (DAB) is increasingly supporting companies – especially SMEs – with digitization issues. By November 2025, new contacts with the business community had doubled compared to the previous year (to 884), and consultations had tripled (to 788). New additions include the CyberSecurityCheck, the Digitalization Navigator (https://navigator.digitalagentur.berlin/) developed in collaboration with HTW Berlin, and the “Digitallotsen” project, which will support local SMEs in collaboration with the retail and hospitality sectors from December 1, 2025.