VI From 1 July 2026, the Government’s Decree No. 224/2026/ND-CP providing detailed regulations on and measures for the implementation of certain articles of the Law on Digital Transformation officially comes into effect, marking a major turning point in administrative procedure reform. The most notable highlight is the classification of proactive online public services into four levels. This new regulation is intended not only to shorten processing time and minimize compliance costs for individuals and enterprises, but also to demonstrate the State’s efforts to promote the development of digital government, the digital economy, and digital society. Let us join Pham Consult in exploring in detail the four levels of proactive online public services so as to promptly understand the relevant rights and make the most effective use of these utilities.
- New regulations on the four levels of proactive online public services from 1 July 2026
Pursuant to Article 16 of the Government’s Decree No. 224/2026/ND-CP, from 1 July 2026, proactive online public services shall be classified into four levels based on their degree of proactivity, marking a fundamental shift from the approach of “individuals proactively seeking and using public services” to the approach of “public services proactively serving individuals”, specifically as follows:
– Level 1: Proactive online public services providing reminders to take action.
– Level 2: Proactive online public services providing reminders and preparing dossiers.
– Level 3: Proactive online public services providing reminders, preparing dossiers, and recommending service options.
– Level 4: Proactive online public services providing reminders, preparing dossiers, recommending service options, and automatically carrying out the procedures.
- Level 1: Proactive online public services providing reminders to take action
This is the most basic level in the proactive online public service model, under which State authorities will act as a companion by regularly monitoring and reminding individuals and enterprises of their respective rights and obligations. Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 16 of Decree No. 224/2026/ND-CP, the implementation of Level 1 online public services shall be carried out as follows:
– State authorities, based on the exploitation of available data, shall proactively identify the time, event, or obligation arising and issue notifications, reminders, and guidance to organizations and individuals to carry out online public services in accordance with the provisions of law.
Upon receipt of the notification, organizations and individuals shall themselves prepare and submit online dossiers in accordance with the provisions of law.
- Level 2: Proactive online public services providing reminders and preparing dossiers
At Level 2, administrative procedures are significantly simplified as the system automatically prepares the necessary documents based on interconnected digitized data. Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 16 of Decree No. 224/2026/ND-CP, the implementation of Level 2 online public services shall be carried out as follows:
– In addition to proactively identifying and reminding organizations and individuals of arising events or obligations, State authorities shall also proactively create or prepare electronic dossiers, information, and necessary data from available information systems and databases to facilitate the provision of online public services;
– Upon receipt of the notification and dossier, organizations and individuals shall confirm and supplement information (if any) and decide whether to proceed with the online public service in accordance with the provisions of law.
- Level 3: Proactive online public services providing reminders, preparing dossiers, and recommending service options
Level 3 online public services not only assist organizations and individuals in having their dossiers prepared in advance but also provide recommendations on the most optimal options for handling administrative procedures. Pursuant to Clause 3, Article 16 of Decree No. 224/2026/ND-CP, the implementation of Level 3 online public services shall be carried out as follows:
– In addition to identifying and notifying organizations and individuals of arising obligations and preparing dossiers, State authorities shall also proactively analyze, compare, and recommend that organizations and individuals select the most appropriate online public service option in cases where multiple online public services are directed toward the same objective or result.
Note: Recommendations at this level shall be made on the basis of ensuring the legitimate interests of organizations and individuals, including costs, processing time, convenience, and arising obligations, while not restricting the right of organizations and individuals to choose online public services.
At this level, in addition to providing reminders and preparing dossiers, State authorities shall proactively analyze and compare the relevant legal regulations applicable to the specific circumstances of the dossier applicant. On that basis, the system shall provide recommendations for organizations and individuals to select the most appropriate option for carrying out the public service.
- Level 4: Proactive online public services providing reminders, preparing dossiers, recommending service options, and automatically carrying out the procedures
This is the highest and most advanced level in the national digital transformation process, demonstrating the comprehensive application of data technology in administrative management. Pursuant to Clause 4, Article 16 of Decree No. 224/2026/ND-CP, the implementation of Level 4 online public services shall be carried out as follows:
– State authorities, based on the exploitation and analysis of data from lawful digital systems, digital platforms, information systems, and databases, shall automatically determine the arising rights or obligations of organizations and individuals and carry out the settlement of administrative procedures without requiring organizations or individuals to submit dossiers, except where otherwise provided by law.
– Organizations and individuals shall be notified of the results of the settlement of administrative procedures and shall have the right to confirm, refuse, or request adjustments in accordance with the provisions of law.
Note: Automatic implementation must ensure the legitimate interests of organizations and individuals, while also ensuring the restoration of the information and data of organizations and individuals to their original status immediately prior to the automatic implementation if the organizations or individuals refuse or request an adjustment to the results of the settlement of administrative procedures.
At Level 4, the administrative procedure process is almost fully automated without requiring any initiating action from organizations or individuals. Based on the interconnection and lawful analysis of data, when the system determines that a citizen or organization is eligible to enjoy a particular right or is required to carry out a certain administrative procedure, the system will automatically carry out the procedure without requiring the submission of a dossier.
- Recommendations for individuals and enterprises when using proactive online public services
In order to make maximum use of these utilities from 1 July 2026, individuals and enterprises should note the following:
– Regularly update, synchronize, and ensure the accuracy of their personal or enterprise information on national information systems.
– Register for and regularly monitor notifications from the National Public Service Portal via a phone number registered under the user’s name or the enterprise’s email address in order not to miss information relating to their rights and obligations.
