State Simplification and Technologies Network

The Council of Ministers approved the creation of the State Simplification and Technologies Network, a new governance structure designed to strengthen the coordination of digital transformation within Public Administration.

The Network is now responsible for the development and implementation of digital public services, as well as the cross-cutting management of the modernisation of the State’s systems, applications and technological infrastructures. The structure operates under the authority of the Minister for State Reform.

What changes compared to the previous model

With the entry into force of Decree-Law No. 85/2026 of 13 April, the Council for Digital in Public Administration is abolished and the Coordination Commission for the Digital Strategy is created.

The new model introduces greater strategic and operational coordination capacity, strengthening decision-making and monitoring mechanisms for the State’s technological investments. The objective is to promote an integrated approach between public bodies, ensuring greater alignment in technological decisions and in the implementation of common solutions.

This reorganisation is not intended to create new administrative layers, but rather to reduce redundancies, avoid fragmented investments and ensure a more efficient use of public resources.

A three-level governance model

The State Simplification and Technologies Network is based on a governance model organised into three levels:

1. Political leadership: Responsible for defining strategic priorities and validating key decisions.
2. Executive commission: Responsible for operational coordination, monitoring the implementation of measures and deliberating on critical matters.
3. Specialised technical groups: Organised by thematic areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud, cybersecurity, interoperability and shared services, these groups produce technical analyses and submit proposals for action to the executive commission.

This structure seeks to ensure permanent coordination between political direction, implementation capacity and specialised technical knowledge.

The Coordination Commission for the Digital Strategy

At the centre of this new model is the Coordination Commission for the Digital Strategy, which assumes a central role in the decision-making and coordination of Public Administration technology policies. Its main responsibilities include:

• Aligning strategic technology investments;
• Promoting the adoption of common solutions across public bodies;
• Strengthening interoperability between systems;
• Monitoring the evolution of the State’s technological architecture;
• Assessing strategic projects, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

The commission includes public entities with responsibilities in the areas of technology, shared services, cybersecurity and digital transformation.

Prior assessment of strategic investments

The new Network also includes its own mechanisms for monitoring and prior authorisation of technological investments considered strategic. In practice, public bodies intending to invest in new information systems, digital platforms or artificial intelligence solutions will have to submit their projects for assessment by the Network.

This mechanism aims to ensure consistency with the State’s technological strategy, avoid duplication of investments and promote greater rationalisation in the acquisition and development of technological solutions.

Strategic framework

The creation of this structure forms part of the implementation of the priorities defined in the Portugal Digital Strategy, the Digital Skills Pact and the National Artificial Intelligence Agenda.

In a context of State reform and simplification of administrative processes, it is essential to ensure a political, operational and technical monitoring model capable of tracking the implementation of measures and accelerating the digital transformation of Public Administration.