Author: Angelica Lindqvist
At the latest GovTech4All café the spotlight was on Rules as Code – a transformative approach to translating laws and regulations into machine-readable code to create a more transparent, efficient and citizen-centric public sector. Dhierajkumar Baidjnath and Jet Klaver from Digicampus/ Stichting ICTU facilitated the session where Bas Wernsen and Robert van Doesburg shared key insights from the recent Rules as Code Conference in the Netherlands, where over 250 policymakers, legal experts and technologists gathered to explore how this approach is already being implemented across Europe.
The core message was clear: Rules as Code is not just about technology—it’s about reshaping how laws are created, interpreted, and applied in a digital world. By structuring legal texts as code, governments can eliminate ambiguities, automate decision-making, and build services that are easier for citizens to understand and use. But success requires more than technical solutions, it demands a holistic approach that integrates law, policy, and societal needs.
The path to clearer and more effective legislation
One of the central questions discussed was: What makes Rules as Code so valuable? The answer lies in its ability to address some of the biggest challenges in modern lawmaking. Traditional legal texts are often complex and open to interpretation, leading to inconsistencies, inefficiencies, and difficulties in implementation. By translating laws into code, governments can create clearer, more consistent, and accessible regulatory systems.
A concrete example highlighted was Denmark’s work on digitally ready legislation, where every new law is tested to ensure it can be implemented digitally. This ensures that laws are designed from the outset to be easy to understand and apply, both for humans and machines. Similarly, the Netherlands has been using Rules as Code since 2008, and today, over 50 million decisions are processed annually within its tax administration using rule-based systems. This demonstrates that the method is not just theoretical—it already works at scale.
Another key aspect is automation. By structuring laws as code, governments can automate routine tasks, reduce the risk of human error, and speed up decision-making processes. This frees up resources and allows public sector actors to focus on more complex and value-adding tasks. At the same time, citizens benefit from clearer and more accessible services, such as automated legal aid or digital systems for building permits and tax payments.
Adapting to local contexts is a key to success
One of the most important lessons from the café was that Rules as Code is not a one-size-fits-all solution that can be copied directly from one country to another. Instead, the method must be tailored to each country’s unique conditions, including legal frameworks, digital maturity, and organizational structures. The Netherlands, for example, has worked with Rules as Code for over a decade but still faces challenges in scaling and standardization.
To succeed, countries must design their own pathways based on their specific needs and resources. This may involve starting with small-scale pilot projects to test and learn before scaling up to larger implementations. It may also involve collaborating with other countries to share knowledge and avoid duplication. An example mentioned was Ukraine’s GovTech Lab, which, despite the challenges of war, has managed to create a platform for open innovation by adapting methods to the local context.
Institutional engagement is a prerequisite for change
Another key insight from the café was that technology alone is not enough. For Rules as Code to succeed, institutional engagement at all levels is required. This means that leaders and decision-makers must understand the value of the method and actively support its implementation. In Denmark, for instance, a dedicated team works on digitally ready legislation directly with lawmakers to ensure new laws are code-compatible from the start. This collaboration is crucial for bridging the gap between law and technology and creating sustainable change.
The challenge often lies in convincing traditional institutions of the value of working in new ways. Many agencies are accustomed to handling legal texts in a certain way and may be hesitant to change. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate concrete results and highlight success stories from other countries. By sharing knowledge and experiences, trust can be built, and a common understanding of why Rules as Code is valuable can be created.
Collaboration and open standards are building blocks for success
A recurring theme during the café was the importance of collaboration, both within and between countries. Rules as Code cannot be developed in isolation; it requires cross-sectoral cooperation between lawyers, technologists, policymakers, and citizens. The Netherlands, for example, has developed the Rules as Code tool ALEF (Agile Law Execution Factory), which is now being made available as open source. Wouter Wellin from Dutch Tax Administration working on this and contributed to the discussion during the café. This is an important step in facilitating collaboration and reuse of solutions across different countries and organizations.
Another critical aspect is the development of open standards. For Rules as Code to scale and be used across borders, countries need to agree on common frameworks and technical standards. This makes it possible to share solutions, avoid duplication, and ensure interoperability between different systems. During the café, it was discussed how the Interoperable Europe Board and other European initiatives can play a key role in promoting this collaboration.
Challenges and the way forward
Despite the progress, there are still challenges that need to be addressed for Rules as Code to reach its full potential. One of the biggest is fragmentation. Many countries and agencies still work in silos, leading to duplication and lack of coordination. To overcome this, Europe needs to strengthen collaboration and create platforms for knowledge sharing and joint development.
Another challenge is scaling from pilot projects to systemic change. Pilots are a good first step, but to create lasting change, long-term commitment, clear performance metrics, and sustainable funding are needed. During the café, it was discussed how pilot projects can be designed in a way that facilitates scaling, for example, by selecting challenges that have strong leadership support and clear links to national strategies.
Finally, a cultural shift within the public sector is required. Agencies must embrace agile ways of working and view digitization as a natural part of the legislative process. This involves training a digitally ready workforce that can operate at the intersection of law and technology and understands how to design laws that are ready for the digital age.
Conclusion: A shared journey toward future legislation
The GovTech4All Café made it clear that Rules as Code is not a future vision, it’s an ongoing movement that is already changing how laws are created and applied in Europe. From the Netherlands’ scalable solutions to Denmark’s digitally ready legislation and Ukraine’s innovative approaches under crisis conditions, examples from across the continent show that change is possible. If the right strategy, collaboration, and commitment are in place.
Moving forward, it’s about building on the lessons shared during the café:
- Adapt methods to local contexts instead of seeking universal solutions.
- Secure institutional support at all levels to create sustainable change.
- Prioritize collaboration and open standards to avoid fragmentation and accelerate innovation.
The next milestone in this journey is the 2027 Rules as Code Conference in Berlin, but the real work happens here and now, in government agencies, labs, and collaborative platforms like GovTech4All. By continuing to share knowledge, test new solutions, and build common frameworks, Europe can lead the way toward more transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric legislation.
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This blogpost captures the key insights from the latest GovTech4All Café, where we explored how Rules as Code is reshaping legislation across Europe. The discussion provided a practical look at what it takes to turn laws into machine-readable code in a real-world context: adapting frameworks to local needs, securing institutional buy-in, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and grounding pilots in clear public-sector challenges. As Europe moves from experimentation to systemic implementation, these lessons offer a roadmap for governments aiming to build more transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric legal systems.
Relive the atmosphere of the conference here
During the conference, we showcased four AI videos. Watch the AI videos here and experience the moments of the day again.