Apply for a new ID card due to expiry of validity

You must apply for a new ID card in good time before your old ID card expires. This applies if you do not have any other valid identification document, such as a passport.

You can apply at the citizens' office at your main place of residence. If you submit the application to another citizens' office for an important reason, you will have to pay a surcharge.

If the new ID card cannot be issued within the remaining period of validity of the old ID card, you must generally also apply for a temporary ID card for the transitional period. A temporary ID card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

Online function of the ID card

All ID cards have electronic proof of identity (online ID card). The online ID function is automatically activated on all ID cards issued from July 2017 for people over the age of 16. If you have set a six-digit PIN of your choice, you can use it to identify yourself to authorities and companies when using online services with a high level of trust. You can use the online ID card after your 16th birthday.

When you apply for your ID card, the prints of your two index fingers are stored on a chip in the card. Children under the age of 6 are excluded from this regulation.

Contact the Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence.

• The validity of your ID card is about to expire.
• For applications outside your main place of residence:
  • You must give an important reason why you are not applying for the ID card at the ID card authority responsible for your main place of residence.

• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
• if available and not yet validated: passport or old identity card
• if no valid identity card or passport is available: Birth certificate or marriage certificate
• for children under the age of 16: if applicable, a declaration of consent from the parent with custody who is not present
  • if there is only one parent or legal guardian, additional proof of custody
  • if available: valid or already expired children's passport

A fee reduction or exemption is possible under certain conditions.

for applicants aged 24 and over

Fee: EUR 46,00

https://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.html

for applicants under the age of 24

Fee: EUR 27,60

https://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichen

for the temporary identity card

Fee: EUR 10,00

https://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.html

Supplement for applications submitted outside working hours or not at the main place of residence

Fee: EUR 13,00

https://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.html

Surcharge for issue by consular or diplomatic representation abroad

Fee: EUR 30,00

https://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.html

Emission: EUR 6,00

https://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.html

Emission: EUR 15,00

https://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.html

You must apply for your new ID card before your old one expires. If the validity of your old ID card has expired and you are over 16 years old and registered in Germany, you must apply for a new ID card immediately if you do not have a valid passport document.

Period of Validity: 6 JAHR

Period of Validity: 10 JAHR

It usually takes at least 2 weeks from the date of application before you can collect your ID card from the Citizens' Registration Office.

If your ID card is stolen or lost, you must report this to the police. You can also block your online ID card yourself by calling the blocking hotline.

Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)

13.02.2026

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.