A major change in passport procedures
Starting from May 1st, anyone wishing to obtain a personal ID card or passport in Germany will have to submit a digital photo only, as paper photos will no longer be accepted after this date.
A transitional period will continue until July 31, during which it is allowed to bring a paper photo as usual if the service offices have not yet been prepared.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced this step in the city of Dessau-Roßlau, describing it as a "real advance," noting that administrative procedures will become simpler and faster. She explained that photos can be taken directly in citizen offices or uploaded to an encrypted cloud by an accredited photography studio.
Pfizer confirmed that the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has examined the security of the cloud where digital images are stored, and no security concerns have been recorded. On the contrary, this new system will better protect documents from forgery or unauthorized use.
Despite this digital advancement, the service is not free. A fee of six euros is charged for each generated portrait.
Due to supply difficulties, not all order offices have been equipped yet. The digital system will start operating in about 3,000 offices only at the beginning of May, which is half the number of offices in the country. The rest of the offices are scheduled to be equipped by August.
Pfizer confirmed that "no one will be sent home because of the new system," noting that the process during the transition period will be flexible, and that if devices are available, photos will be taken digitally on-site; otherwise, paper photos will be temporarily accepted. This change does not include driver's license applications, as their procedures remain unchanged.
It is also planned to simplify the document delivery process, as citizens will be able to receive their cards and passports by mail after submitting the application at the office, which means that only one visit to the office will be sufficient in the future.