German identity card

German identity card
Specimen of the credit-card sized German identity card issued since 2 August 2021
Type	Compulsory identity document
Issued by	Germany
Valid in	Member states of the European Union and the Schengen Area
Expiration	10 years (age 24 or over) 6 years (age under 24)

Specimen of the larger German identity card issued between 1 April 1987 and 31 October 2010, valid until 30 October 2020. The holographic eagle – part of the Identigram feature added in 2001 – can be seen on the right.

West German identity card issued between 1 January 1951 and 31 March 1987, valid until 30 March 1997

East German identity card issued between 1 November 1951 and 2 October 1990, valid until 31 December 1995

The German Identity Card (German: Personalausweis, pronounced [pɛʁzoˈnaːlʔaʊ̯sˌvaɪ̯s] ) is issued to German nationals by local registration offices in Germany and diplomatic missions abroad, while it is produced at the Bundesdruckerei in Berlin.

Obligation of identification

Legal requirement in Germany

According to German law, every German national aged 16 or older, whose primary registered address and residency are in Germany, must possess either an identity card or a passport as a form of identification. This legal requirement ensures that individuals can confirm and verify their identity when necessary. Simultaneous possession of both documents is allowed, but only those who do not have a passport are required to have an identity card. While police officers and certain government officials have the right to request these documents, there is no obligation to carry them at all times. However, exceptional circumstances may require carrying an identity document, such as when carrying certain weapons.

Issuance and availability

The identity card is issued via the municipal registration office (Standesamt, Einwohnermeldeamt) in the district of residency. Although it is not mandatory, German nationals who reside outside of Germany may also obtain the identity card through German embassies and consulates.

Just like German passports, German identity cards are valid for ten years (six years if the holder is under 24 on the date of issue).

The ID card currently costs 37€ (€22.80 if the holder is under 24 on the date of issue) when issued within Germany.

Travel validity

The validity of the German identity card for travel extends to all member states of the European Union, the Schengen Area, as well as the other European microstates such as San Marino, Vatican City, Monaco, and Andorra.

Entry is also possible in the Western Balkan states of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (up to 90 days within 180 days), Kosovo, North Macedonia (up to 90 days within 180 days), Montenegro (up to 90 days within 180 days), and Serbia (up to 90 days within 180 days).

Furthermore, the German identity card serves as a recognized travel document in several other regions, including Egypt (where two photographs are required for an accompanying card), the Faroe Islands, all French overseas territories, Georgia, Gibraltar, Republic of Moldova, Northern Cyprus (up to 90 days), Turkey (up to 90 days within 180 days), and Tunisia (as part of a package tour by air).

Limitations and exceptions

Most other countries require a passport and, in some cases, a travel visa. The United Kingdom (including all dependent territories except Gibraltar), Greenland, and the non-European parts of the Netherlands do not accept the German identity card for entry.

When flying to French overseas territories, passengers may need to avoid transitional points in countries that do not recognize the ID card.

In the United Kingdom, when crossing the UK border and visiting the country, there is an exception until at least 31 December 2025 for accepting German identity cards only from individuals who have settled or pre-settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.

History

In 1938, the Nazis obliged men of military age and Jews (who had a 'J' marked on their card) to carry identity cards. Shortly after the start of World War II, this was extended to apply to all citizens over the age of 15.

In 1951, both the West German and the East German authorities began issuing booklet identity cards in the ID-2 format.

In West Germany an improved identity card was developed in the 1980s and issued from April 1987 on. The card consisted of a single laminated sheet of paper with a machine-readable zone. To prevent counterfeiting, it contained watermarks, guillochés, microprinting, fluorescent dyes, and multi-colour fluorescent fibres. In addition, the holder's name was laser engraved into the plastic film and the holder's picture was printed on the document, so it could not be removed and replaced by a different one (unlike the older ID cards, where the picture was just glued to the document).

When East Germany joined West Germany on 3 October 1990, the West German identity card was introduced in the former East German territory; unexpired East German identity cards could still be used until 31 December 1995.

In November 2001, the so-called Identigram feature was added – a number of holographic security elements, including a three-dimensional German Eagle, a holographic copy of the holder's picture (the so-called Holographic Shadow Picture), a holographic copy of the machine-readable zone, holographic microprinting, and kinematic elements.

The current ID-1 type has been issued since November 2010. It contains an RFID chip similar to that in biometric passports. The chip stores the information given on the ID card (like name and date of birth), the holder's photograph (which, unlike the photograph on older ID cards, has to be a biometric one), and fingerprints. In addition, the new ID card can be used for online authentication (such as for age verification or e-government applications). An electronic signature, provided by a private company, can also be stored on the chip.

Physical appearance

Front and back side of the current ID card (specimen)

The current German ID card is an ID-1 plastic card (credit card size) with an embedded RFID chip. Biometric data, including fingerprints and a digital photograph, are stored on the chip. However, no central file of biometric data is created upon issuance. The card features multi-colour guillochés and appears green-brown from a distance. The legend texts, as well as the terms "Federal Republic of Germany" and "Identity Card", are also translated into English and French—the two working languages of the UN.

Front side

The front side shows the German Eagle and the words "BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND / FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY / RÉPUBLIQUE FÉDÉRALE D'ALLEMAGNE" and "PERSONALAUSWEIS / IDENTITY CARD / CARTE D'IDENTITÉ". It contains the following information:

• Photo of ID card holder (biometric photo)
• Document number (9 alphanumeric digits)
• Access number for RFID chip (6 decimal digits)
• Surname
  • Doctorate (only if holder holds this degree)
  • Birthname (only if differing from current surname)
• Given name(s)
• Date of birth (dd.mm.yyyy)
• Nationality (DEUTSCH)
• Place of birth (Only the city/town of birth, no country)
• Date of expiry (dd.mm.yyyy)
• Signature of holder

Rear side

The rear side shows the Brandenburg Gate. It contains the following information:

• Colour of eyes
• Height in cm
• Date of issue (dd.mm.yy)
• Issuing authority
• Residence (postal code, town, street, house number)
• Religious name or Pseudonym (only if holder has one)
• Machine-readable zone

Machine-readable zone

The MRZ is structured according to the ICAO standard for machine-readable ID cards:

First line

positions	text	meaning
1–2	ID	identity document
3	D	issuing country: Germany (Deutschland)
6–14	alphanumeric digits	document number
15	decimal digit	check digit over 6–14

Second line

positions	text	meaning
1–6	decimal digits	date of birth (YYMMDD)
7	decimal digit	check digit over 1–6
9–14	decimal digits	date of expiry (YYMMDD)
15	decimal digit	check digit over 9–14
16	D	nationality of holder: German (Deutsch)
30	decimal digit	check digit over 6–30 (upper line), 1–7, 9–15, 19–29 (middle line)

Third line

positions	text	meaning
1–30	alphabetic digits<<alphabetic digits<alphabetic digits	SURNAME<< GIVEN<NAMES

Empty spaces are represented by "<".

Different spellings of the same name within the same document

• German names: German names containing umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and/or ß are spelled in the correct way in the non-machine-readable zone of the ID card, but with AE, OE, UE and/or SS in the machine-readable zone, e.g. Müller becomes MUELLER, Groß becomes GROSS, and Gößmann becomes GOESSMANN.
  • The transcription mentioned above is generally used for aircraft tickets etc., but sometimes (like in US visas) also simple vowels are used (MULLER, GOSSMANN), so passport, visa, and aircraft ticket may display different spellings of the same name.

The three possible spelling variants of the same name (e.g. Müller / Mueller / Muller) in different documents sometimes lead to confusion, and the use of two different spellings within the same document may give persons unfamiliar with German orthography the impression that the document is a forgery.

• Non-German names: In some names of naturalised citizens, some special letters that are not available may always be replaced by simple letters, also in the non-machine-readable zone. The "Bundesdruckerei AG," which prints the German passports, uses the font LA8 Passport, which includes a Latin subset of the Unicode characters (ISO 10646), so that letters such as ç and ł can be displayed at least in the non-machine-readable ID card zone. In the machine-readable zone, special characters are either replaced by simple characters (e.g., é becomes E) or transcribed according to the ICAO rules (e.g., å becomes AA, ø becomes OE, etc.).

Names originally written in a non-Latin writing system may pose another problem if there are various internationally recognised transcription standards.

For example, the Russian surname Горбачёв is transcribed
"Gorbatschow" in German,
"Gorbachev" in English (also ICAO standard),
"Gorbatchov" in French,
"Gorbachov" in Spanish,
"Gorbaczow" in Polish, and so on.
German identity documents use the in Germany officially registered name in Latin letters, normally based on transcription into German.

German naming law accepts umlauts and/or ß in family names as a reason for an official name change (even just the change of the spelling, e.g. from Müller to Mueller or from Weiß to Weiss is regarded as a name change).

Chip

Newer ID cards contain an ISO 18000-3 and ISO 14443 compatible 13.56 MHz RFID chip that uses the ISO 7816 protocols. This chip stores essential information from the ID card, including the holder's name, date of birth, and photograph. Additionally, since 2021, EU regulations require the inclusion of the holder's fingerprints. In addition, the new ID card can be used for online authentication (e.g. for age verification or for e-government applications). An electronic signature, provided by a private company, can also be stored on the chip.

The document number, the photo, and the fingerprints can be read only by law enforcement agencies and some other authorities. All ID card agencies have been supplied with reading devices that have been certified by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). Agency staff can use these modules to display all of the personal data stored on the chip, including the digital passport photo and, where applicable, the stored fingerprints.

To use the online authentication function, the holder needs a six-digit decimal PIN. If the holder types in the wrong PIN, they have to type in the six-digit decimal access code given on the ID card to prove they possess the ID card. If the wrong PIN is used three times, a PUK must be used to unlock the chip. The data on the chip are protected by Basic Access Control and Extended Access Control.

Security features

The identity card contains the following security features:

• multicoloured guillochés
• microprinting: BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND
• fluorescent elements which luminesce in various colors under UV light:
  • UV overprint:
    • eagles and BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND (in macroprinting): red-orange
    • BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND (in microprinting): yellow
    • guillochés: turquoise
  • randomly distributed fluorescent fibres: red, yellow, turquoise
• tactile features:
  • access number for RFID chip and date of expire are tactile
  • surface embossing: map of Germany and microlettering BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND
• security thread: colour changes when viewed under different angles; is personalized: NNNNNNNNNN<<SURNAME<<GIVEN<NAMES<<<<<<<<<< (NNNNNNNNNN is the document number including a check digit; a total of 42 digits can be found on the thread))
• changeable laser image: shows either the date of expire or the holder's portrait depending on angle
• color-changing ink: the colour of the text BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND changes from black to green to blue
• 2D and 3D holographic security elements:
  • colour-changing holograms: colour changes depending on angle (violet-blue-turquoise-green-yellow-orange-red)
    • holographic portrait: holographic reproduction of the holder's picture
    • four eagles at the left side of the holographic portrait: change their colour under a different angle than the portrait itself
    • document number: NNNNNNNNN, 9 digits
    • holder's name: SURNAME<<GIVEN<NAMES<<<<<<<<<<, 30 digits
  • green kinematic structures above the conventional picture:
    • eagle: bright eagle on dark hexagon changes to dark eagle on bright hexagon to letter D in hexagon when document is tilted
    • hexagon: moves across the picture when document is tilted
    • stars: change their size when document is tilted
    • letter D: moves across the picture and turns into a star
    • text on the left side of the picture; visible only under a certain angle
      • macrolettering: BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND
      • microlettering: BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND
  • machine-verifiable structure: a red spot which can be checked by machines
  • 3D eagle: a red-gold eagle visible only under a certain angle

Problems and challenges

Since November 1, 2010, electronic ID cards have been issued with online authentication functions, yet they remain unfamiliar to most Germans. Initially, cardholders needed to activate the online function using a PIN. In 2019, only 6% used their eIDs, while 32% hadn't activated the service. The lack of awareness and perceived value hinders adoption. Although automatic activation aims to boost usage, trust and clear communication remain crucial.

Additionally, the eID is not applicable for many transactions compared to other countries. Only 45 services are available which can be used by all German citizens, the remaining 86 are only usable in specific municipalities and federal states (BCG, 2020). Introducing electronic services is costly, which means that there also exist adaptation barriers from the site of the provider, especially for small administrative offices.

The slow development is also problematic for the introduction of future electronic services in other areas. For example, the eID is a requirement for digital medical records offered by health insurances (BCG, 2020). This implies that the slow adaptation of the eID also slows down digitalisation in other areas.

Rise of electronic ID cards

In developed countries like Germany, electronic ID cards have become the preferred choice due to their practicality and widespread availability. These cards contain a microchip that stores essential data, enabling electronic identification and signatures for cardholders. To obtain an ID card, individuals must undergo identity verification in person at the municipal registration office or, if residing outside Germany, at a German embassy or consulate. The adoption of eIDs facilitates various online administrative processes, with financial service providers being among the primary beneficiaries. Overall, this move aligns with digitization policies.

East German Identity Card

Identity cards in East Germany came in the form of paper booklets in a blue plastic cover, much like modern-day passports. On the outside, the Emblem of the German Democratic Republic as well as the words "DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK" ("German Democratic Republic") are embossed. Inside the cover page there is a notice to the bearer:

Bürger der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik

Dieser Ausweis ist Ihr wichtigstes Dokument

Sie haben deshalb:

1. diesen Personalausweis stets bei sich zu tragen, sorgfältig zu behandeln, vor Verlust zu schützen und auf Verlangen der Volkspolizei vorzuzeigen bzw. auszuhändigen;

2. keine eigenmächtigen Eintragungen im Ausweis vorzunehmen, diesen nicht als Pfand oder zur Benutzung anderen Personen zu überlassen bzw. von anderen Personen entgegenzunehmen;

3. jeden Wohnungswechsel innerhalb von drei Tagen bei der zuständigen VP-Dienststelle zu melden;

4. jeden Verlust dieses Ausweises unverzüglich bei der nächsten VP-Dienststelle anzuzeigen.

Which translates to:

Citizen of the German Democratic Republic

This identity card is your most important document

Therefore you must:

1. carry this identity card with you at all times, handle it with care, protect it from loss, and show or hand it to the Volkspolizei on demand;

2. not make any entries into this identity card, give it to another person as a pawn or to be used, or accept it as such;

3. notify the responsible VP office of any change of residence within three days;

4. immediately report any loss of this identity card to the nearest VP office.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

See also

• German passport
• German residence permit (identity document for non-EU citizens living in Germany)
• Kennkarte (identity document used in Nazi Germany)
• National identity cards in the European Union

External links

• General information about the new German ID card on personalausweisportal.de (German)
• General information about the new German ID card on bundesdruckerei.de (English)
• Security features of the new German ID card on bundesdruckerei.de (English)
• Security features of the 1987–2001 ID card on PRADO (English)
• Security features of the 2001–2010 ID card on PRADO (English)
• Security features of the current ID card on PRADO (English)