Address stickers and bigger pictures: German ID cards to change in 2027

The German Interior Ministry has announced that the layout and personal data included on the German ID card (Personalausweis) will soon change.

Addresses may be removed from ID cards

According to a report by Rheinische Post, multiple features of the German ID card will soon change. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) explained to the newspaper that the system for citizens to update the address listed on their ID card will change. 

Until now, when residents move house and register their new address at the citizens’ office (Bürgeramt), they have received a small sticker with their new address, which they can stick over the old address on their ID card.

But with more Bürgerämter digitising the address registration process, Dobrindt explained that from 2027, these small stickers are likely to be distributed by post. The minister added that the government is currently considering removing addresses from ID cards altogether to simplify the process.

It is yet unclear whether these changes will also apply to residence permits.

Personalausweis picture will be bigger

Further changes include enlarging photographs used on IDs, updating existing security features and adding new security features. 

According to Dobrindt, the new cards will have better cryptographic protection (encryption techniques used to make readable private data unreadable).

The cards will also display “data matrix codes”, similar to QR codes, which Dobrindt explained will simplify identity verification. By the end of 2027, all new ID cards issued will likely adhere to the new specifications.