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Once-Only Technical System, Single Digital Gateway and YourEurope in a nutshell

What is OOTS?

Published on: 02/02/2026 Last update: 09/03/2026 News

Goal

Help citizens and businesses to study, move, work, retire or do business across the EU. The OOTS connect public authorities across the EU, so they can exchange official documents and data at the citizen or business' request.

How?

Member States are consulting their competent authorities to determine which procedures require the exchange of evidence across borders. Each Member State provides a service to request evidence and another one to provide evidence.

Since 2020, the Your Europe portal provides useful information about online public services available in each Member State e.g., for studying, working or retiring abroad. 

Since 2023, the data space, known as the "Once-Only Technical System", has been operational. As national authorities across the EU begin to use it, the OOTS will significantly ease and speed up the cross-border administrative procedures. 

Regulation

The Single Digital Gateway Regulation ((EU) 2018/1724) provides the legal framework for the creation of a European data space for public administration (a digital infrastructure) to share information.

A specific Implementing Regulation ((EU) 2022/1463) sets out the technical and operational specifications of the technical system.

Procedure types

Birth

1. Requesting proof of registration of birth

Residence

2. Requesting proof of residence

Studying

3. Applying for a tertiary education study financing

4. Initial application for admission to public tertiary education institution

5. Academic recognition of  diplomas, certificates or other proof of studies or courses
 

Working

6. Request for determination of social security benefits

7. Changes in circumstances relating to social security

8. Application for European Health Insurance Card

9. Submitting an income tax declaration

Moving

10. Registering a change of address

11. Registering a motor vehicle

12. Obtaining stickers for the use of the national road infrastructure

13. Obtaining emission stickers
 

Retiring

14. Claiming pension and pre-retirement benefits

15. Requesting information on the data related to pension

Starting, running and closing a business

16. Notification of business activity

17. Registration of employer with compulsory pension and insurance schemes

18. Registration of employee with compulsory pension and insurance schemes

19. Submitting a corporate tax declaration

20. Notification to the social security schemes of the end of contract

21. Payment of social contributions for employees

22. Notification of a data intermediation services provider

23. Registration as a data altruism organisation recognised in the Union

Critical raw materials projects

24. Procedure related to all relevant permits to build and operate critical raw materials projects

Net-zero technology manufacturing projects

25. Procedures for all relevant permits to build, expand, convert and operate net-zero technology manufacturing projects, and net-zero strategic projects

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