ID cards have become more expensive in Germany: how much will you have to pay now?

The German authorities have revised the fees for issuing identity cards, increasing them from February 2026. The changes affect both the cost of the documents and the conditions for obtaining them for certain categories of the population. Find out what changes have already come into force and how they will affect citizens

Legal advice for Ukrainians

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On February 7, 2026, new fees for issuing identity cards (Personalausweis) came into effect in Germany. The cost of the document has increased by approximately 25%, which is a significant change for the country's citizens.

New prices for ID cards

From now on, the cost of obtaining an identity card is:

For persons aged 24 and over — €46 (previously €37)

For persons under 24 — €27.60 (previously €22.80)

Urgent replacement of a lost document — €32 (previously €8)

The cost of urgent document replacement has increased significantly, rising fourfold.

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What has changed for pensioners?

An important innovation concerns citizens aged 70 and over: from now on, they will be issued with identity cards that are valid indefinitely. This means that they no longer need to renew their documents regularly, which greatly simplifies the lives of elderly people.

This is not the first attempt to revise the cost of ID cards. In December 2025, the changes were blocked by the Bundesrat, but after further refinement, the decision was finally adopted and officially entered into force in February 2026.

The increase in fees is linked to the rise in the cost of producing documents, the introduction of new security technologies, and administrative costs.

What does this mean for citizens?

The new fees mean additional costs for those who plan to apply for or replace their ID card in the near future. At the same time, the changes are a positive step for pensioners, reducing the bureaucratic burden on this group.

Overall, the changes show a trend toward the gradual increase in the cost of administrative services in Germany amid the modernization of public services.

On the Visit Ukraine platform, you can get professional help from immigration lawyers regarding legalizing your stay in Germany, extending your temporary protection status, submitting applications to German authorities, and working with electronic services, including BundID.

We remind you! Germany is changing its social support rules for the unemployed, making the system more stringent. Read about what Grundsicherung is, what sanctions will be introduced in 2026, and how these changes will affect Ukrainians in Germany.

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