https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Applying for or renewing a German personal ID card is set to rise by about 25 percent for most adults, according to a new draft law. https://www.thelocal.de/20251014/the-cost-of-a-german-id-card-is-set-to-rise-significantly Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:05:43 +0200 the-cost-of-a-german-id-card-is-set-to-rise-significantly It's been a slow and clunky process, but Germany has made some progress when it comes to digital IDs. Here's a closer look at the kind of digital ID you can have, depending on your residency status, and what it does. https://www.thelocal.de/20250707/what-are-the-digital-ids-you-can-get-in-germany Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:27:42 +0200 what-are-the-digital-ids-you-can-get-in-germany Germany's latest step toward digitalisation means local authorities will soon only accept digital photos for ID cards and residence permits. But from difficulties photographing babies to delays setting up photo machines, problems remain. https://www.thelocal.de/20250513/how-is-the-transition-to-digital-id-photos-progressing-in-germany Tue, 13 May 2025 17:47:27 +0200 how-is-the-transition-to-digital-id-photos-progressing-in-germany Germany is pushing ahead with the digitalisation of its administrative services, with key changes to ID documents and residence permits coming in May. Here's what you need to know about the latest efforts to move the process online. https://www.thelocal.de/20250425/what-foreigners-should-know-about-germanys-digital-id-cards-and-residence-permits Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:59:30 +0200 what-foreigners-should-know-about-germanys-digital-id-cards-and-residence-permits From May this year, only digital photos will be accepted for German ID cards and residence permits as the government completes the latest phase of its digitalisation offensive. https://www.thelocal.de/20250423/germany-starts-next-phase-of-digitalisation-for-id-and-residence-cards Wed, 23 Apr 2025 12:48:07 +0200 germany-starts-next-phase-of-digitalisation-for-id-and-residence-cards People in Germany will soon be able to prove their identity using an app on their smartphone, making it easier to complete everyday tasks like renting a car or opening a bank account. Here are the details. https://www.thelocal.de/20241010/explained-germanys-plans-for-a-new-digital-id-app-for-residents Thu, 10 Oct 2024 18:35:54 +0200 explained-germanys-plans-for-a-new-digital-id-app-for-residents Americans living in Germany are likely to have to apply for a new passport at some point - and thankfully it's not as tricky as it sounds. https://www.thelocal.de/20221104/how-to-apply-for-or-renew-your-us-passport-from-germany Fri, 04 Nov 2022 18:12:41 +0100 how-to-apply-for-or-renew-your-us-passport-from-germany