Overview
- Holders of card-format licences issued between 1999 and 2001 must swap them for the EU card by Jan. 19, 2026, according to local authorities such as the Bad Kissingen district office.
- Some consumer reporting cites Jan. 26, 2026 as the cut-off, so drivers should verify the exact deadline with their local licensing office before scheduling.
- Applicants need an ID, a biometric passport photo and the current licence; no medical exam or test is required, fees are roughly €25–35 and issuance takes about three weeks.
- Missing the deadline is an administrative offence usually resulting in a €10 warning fine, and outdated licences may be rejected by rental companies or during checks abroad.
- Municipal offices urge early online appointments due to rising demand, with further exchange phases running by year of issue through 2033 and paper licences for those born from 1953 already invalid.