Potsdam: from July 14th - building permits are now applying for a digitally digitally!

Potsdam: from July 14th - building permits are now applying for a digitally digitally!

The state capital Potsdam goes with big steps towards digitization by introducing a completely digital building authority. This announcement took place on the urban website and applies from July 14, 2025. From this date, building permit applications can be submitted entirely online, so that personal walk into office is no longer necessary. The entire building permit procedure is handled by the Virtual Building Office (VBA), which is part of the comprehensive digitization strategy of Potsdam, which already includes online services such as "Marriage Digital" and the electronic residence registration.

The introduction of the VBA aims to accelerate the processing of building applications and make it more transparent. An important advantage of the digitized procedure is the reduction in paper consumption and the approaches, which mainly takes into account ecological aspects. Bernd Rubelt, the deputy for building, emphasizes the ecological effect of the measure, since less paper is required and the trips to the offices are eliminated.

optimization through digital processes

Potsdam is not only in this project; More and more cities and circles in Brandenburg are switching on digital processes. Six building supervisory authorities have already set up a virtual building authority. Appropriate online platforms already exist in regions such as Oberspreewald-Lausitz, Märkisch-Oderland, Prignitz, Teltow-Fläming, Uckermark and the city of Schwedt. Other offices are currently in the test phase.

The new procedure is described as "very well received". Infrastructure Minister Detlef Tabbert emphasizes the importance of these measures for the reduction of bureaucracy and the discharge of the administration. In addition, digitization in construction is a central topic that is increasingly focused by a comprehensive study under the title "Digital Construction Management". This study, which ended on April 30, 2023, examined the status of digitization in the construction industry and found that both opportunities and challenges exist.

challenges of digitization

The challenges are viewed critically by the representatives of the industry. Problems with data exchange and data quality as well as the high induction effort in software solutions are common obstacles. Furthermore, personnel and financial barriers, such as lack of staff and acquisition costs, have come to light. In order to counter these challenges, further training of employees in digital skills and the creation of standards for data transmissions is urgently required.

The virtual building authority is a step in the right direction. Applicants can view the status of your applications online at any time, and the entire communication takes place standardized and securely via the XBAU standard. Data protection is also preserved, which is of crucial importance for the trust of citizens in digital processes. From 2026, all 20 lower building supervisory authorities in Brandenburg are to work on the new platform.

With the establishment of the virtual building, Potsdam shows how bureaucracy not only brings about bureaucracy, but also optimized and more environmentally friendly. The ambitious digitization strategy will not only benefit the citizens, but also make the construction industry sustainable.

For more information on this topic, please visit the following links: rbb24 , Potsdam.de , Fraunhofer Iese .