A German passport allows you to enter more than 170 countries worldwide as a tourist without a visa. You need a passport if you want to travel to countries outside the European Union (EU). If you are a German citizen, you can apply for a German passport.

The passport

• is recognized both within and outside the EU,
• contains a chip, and
• can be applied for by people of any age, starting at birth.

Passport for Children

Your child also needs a passport if you’re planning a trip outside the EU.

As of January 1, 2024, children’s passports are no longer issued. You can apply for a regular passport for your child.

Does your child still have a valid child’s passport?

You can continue to use it until

• it expires
• the information is no longer accurate, with the exception of the height
• the photo is no longer sufficient to clearly identify your child

Note: The child’s passport is no longer recognized by all countries. Please check before your trip where your child’s passport is recognized. To do so, use the travel and safety advice from the Federal Foreign Office (AA).

Responsibilities

You can apply for the passport at the Citizens’ Office in your place of residence. If you have multiple places of residence, the Citizens’ Office at your primary residence is responsible.

If there is a valid reason, you may also apply for your passport at an office outside your place of residence. This may result in additional costs for you.

If you live abroad or have lost your passport while abroad, you can apply for a passport at a German diplomatic mission abroad.

As of May 1, 2025, citizens can only apply for ID cards and passports with digital photos.

Would you like to apply for a passport?
Then you must submit an application.
You must come in person.
You’ll submit the application to a city or municipal employee.
You’ll fill out the form.
The staff member will complete the form.
The staff member will take your fingerprints.

Do you still need your old passport?

• If so, you cannot renew your passport.
• You’ll have to apply for a new passport.

It takes 3 weeks for a new passport to be ready.

You can get a passport faster.

• This is called an “express passport.”

You can get a temporary passport.

• This means:
  You’ll receive the passport immediately.
• This is only possible:
  If you need the passport within the next 3 days.
• You must provide proof of this.
  For example: with a plane ticket.

Would you like to pick up the travel pass?
Did you apply for the travel passport at your local government office?
You can pick up your travel passport there.

• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on-site at the government office or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
  • When applying at German diplomatic missions abroad, exceptions may apply and a paper passport photo may be required
• if available and not yet invalidated: your previous
  • passport
  • provisional passport
  • identity card
  • provisional national ID card
  • child's passport
• Your birth certificate, if applicable
• For children or minors under 18 years of age:
  • Identification documents of the legal guardians present
  • If applicable, a consent form and a copy of the ID of the legal guardian who is not present
  • if applicable, proof of custody if there is only one custodial parent
• If applicable, a document showing the current legal name, for example
  • birth certificate, marriage certificate, or marriage license
  • Family register
  • Declaration regarding the use of a name
• Additional documents may be required, for example
  • in case of loss or theft: police report

You must provide the staff member at the Citizens' Office with:
a digital photo of yourself.

The photo must meet the following requirements:

• Your face must be facing forward.
• You must not be wearing a head covering in the photo.
• You must not be wearing sunglasses in the photo.

You must show your ID card.

You must provide the staff member with a certificate of civil status.

As of May 1, 2025

You can:

• ID cards
• and passports

only with digital photos (photographs).