Overview
- Holders of German card licences issued between 1999 and 2001 must replace them with the current EU card by January 19, 2026.
- Applicants should book an appointment with their local licensing office, bring ID, the old licence and a biometric photo, and follow local procedures.
- Fees are roughly €25–26.50, and new cards typically arrive in about four to six weeks, with potential delays if many apply close to the deadline.
- The swap requires no medical checks or driving tests, the new card is generally valid for 15 years, and driving with an invalid document can draw a €10 warning fine.
- Paper licences issued through 1998 are already overdue, people born before 1953 have until 2033, and remaining card cohorts face staged deadlines through 2033.