The Single Digital Gateway (SDG) simplifies access to digital government services across the European Union for citizens and entrepreneurs. This is facilitated through the ‘Your Europe‘ portal, which enables users to easily find reliable information on their rights, rules and regulations, and procedures in Europe.
The SDG addresses situations in which citizens and businesses need to deal with cross-border matters. For example, living, working, studying, running a business or moving within the European Union. Some of these procedures must be available entirely online.
European Single Digital Gateway Regulation
The SDG is established by the European Single Digital Gateway Regulation. The Regulation entered into force in 2018 and requires EU Member States to make public services more accessible, user-friendly and available online across borders.
The SDG supports broader European initiatives on digital identity and data sharing, including the revised eIDAS Regulation (eIDAS 2.0) and the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet).
In the Netherlands, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and the Ministry of Economic Affairs are responsible for implementing the Regulation.
3 main pillars of the SDG
The SDG regulation encompasses 3 main pillars.
- Online information
Public authorities must provide online information (Dutch) on topics that are relevant to cross-border situations within the EU. These include living, working, taxation, studying, doing business, social security and healthcare. The information must meet the European quality requirements and be available in both Dutch and English. - Digital procedures
A number of key public procedures (Dutch) must be fully accessible online for users from other EU Member States. These include registering a business, enrolling in education, applying for student finance, notifying a change of address and applying for social security benefits.
Since December 2023, these procedures have had to be available digitally for cross-border users. - Support services
Users must have access to online help and support (Dutch) when looking for information or completing procedures. This includes helpdesks, contact points and business support centres.
Once-Only Technical System (OOTS)
The European Once-Only Technical System (OOTS) is part of the SDG. It enables public authorities to exchange digital evidence across borders, with the consent of the citizen or business concerned. This means users do not have to submit information again if it is already available from another public authority in the EU. Examples include diplomas, official extracts and company information.
The Netherlands is working with other EU Member States to implement OOTS as part of its national framework for digital data exchange. In September 2026, the Netherlands will also host the conference Europe goes Once-Only: The Netherlands in Rotterdam.
Dutch implementation
Dutch public authorities are, in principle, responsible for implementing the Single Digital Gateway Regulation within their organisations. To support implementation and accelerate delivery, the Netherlands has adopted a coordinated national approach for specific parts of the Regulation.
Municipalities, provinces and water authorities use shared SDG services (Dutch) provided by their representative associations.
National Coordinator
In the Netherlands, the National Coordinator (NC) for the SDG is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the regulations. The coordinator serves as the primary liaison to the European Commission and other EU countries and is supported by the Office of the National Coordinator SDG.
