Magdeburg's Health Policy in March 2026: Digitalization, Inclusion, and Social Ticket

Digitalization as a Key to Increasing Efficiency

In the social administration of the state capital Magdeburg, digitalization is a central topic in March 2026. The aim is to simplify processes and make access to social benefits easier for citizens. The working group "AG DigiDezV" has developed a measures concept that outlines the IT strategy for the Department of Social Affairs, Youth, and Health up to 2026.

Projects such as the web app "MACH 5" enable digital eligibility checks for social security benefits. In addition, a digital funding portal has been introduced in collaboration with Department 12. The Online Access Act (OZG) is a central milestone intended to accelerate the digitalization of the administration. By the end of the second quarter of 2026 at the latest, the results of the status assessment and the strategic further development of IT are to be presented to the City Council.

Inclusion Policy: From Working Groups to Advisory Boards

Another highlight of the Health and Social Committee in March is the restructuring of the working group "People with Disabilities" into an advisory board. The management of this new body will in future be assigned to the Commissioner for the Affairs of People with Disabilities, which should strengthen the participation and representation of people with disabilities.

The bylaws of the Inclusion Advisory Board will be discussed in March 2026. The goal is to create a lasting dialogue between the city and the population to improve participation in everyday life. This development is part of a broader strategy embedded in the guidelines for promoting health. An action plan for implementing these guidelines is planned for the year 2026.

The Social Ticket: Pilot Project for Greater Mobility

One of the most recent and controversial projects is the pilot project "Social Ticket." It aims to make public transport more accessible for people with low incomes and is part of an extensive citizen survey whose results were available at the end of 2025. The pilot project runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and targets the current eligible individuals of the Otto-City-Card (OCC).

The Social Ticket replaces the previous credit of the OCC and costs a monthly contribution of 19 euros. The financing follows the structure of the "Magdeburg Student Ticket," with the city contributing 5 euros per person and month from the budget. The monthly cost saving amounts to 79.43 euros per person. The implementation of the pilot project has been integrated into the municipal budget, and budget adjustments have already been made.

With the introduction of the Social Ticket, it is expected that the use of public transport will increase significantly among low-income groups. According to the evaluation of the citizen survey, about 18,700 additional people could potentially benefit. This could lead to an increase in new applications, which in turn would affect personnel planning and administrative workload.

Outlook: From Pilots to Lasting Solutions

Magdeburg's health and social policy in March 2026 is characterized by innovation, inclusion, and the search for sustainable solutions. The digitalization of social administration is a step toward more efficient services, while the Social Ticket represents a response to social inequality in the transport sector.

The restructuring of the advisory board for people with disabilities also shows that Magdeburg is anchoring the discourse on inclusion in politics. Although there are still challenges, such as financing and personnel implementation, the political initiatives demonstrate a clear will to sustainably improve the quality of life for citizens.