Obtaining a new ID card or passport is now made easier and faster
News 28 March 2024
The federal government decides on further simplification and digitization in the passport and ID card administration.
On 27 March 2024, the General Administrative Regulation amending the Passport Administration Regulation and the ID Card Administration Regulation, presented by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, was approved, and forwarded to the Bundesrat.
These measures implement the modernization steps mandated by the legislature in the administrative regulations. The process of applying for an identification document will be uniformly simplified and made more convenient nationwide.
The implemented new regulations bring the following facilitations:
- The application process for German passports and ID cards will be streamlined for individuals immediately after naturalization.
- The requirement to submit a paper-based passport photo will be eliminated by the end of April 2025. Detailed regulations will be established for the installation of self-service stations in government offices to digitally capture biometric data (photo, fingerprints, signature) without the need for paper documents.
- Starting in May 2025, there will be an option for passports and ID cards to be delivered directly by mail to the applicant's registered address.
- Applicants will have the option to provide an email address to receive timely reminders for renewing their identification documents before they expire.
- The issuance of digitally generated amendment stickers will be simplified, removing the need for an official signature and date.