Overview
- Drivers with card-format licences issued between 1999 and 2001 must apply for a replacement by 19 January 2026, with those born before 1953 having until 2033.
- Applicants submit an ID, a biometric photo and their current licence at the local authority, pay roughly €25–€30, and do not need a medical exam or re-test.
- Missing the deadline does not cancel driving entitlement but can bring a €10 warning fine in Germany, higher penalties abroad and possible refusal by rental and car-sharing firms.
- Next‑Generation eCall is required on newly developed vehicles from 1 January 2026, further assist systems become mandatory from 7 July 2026, and new registrations must have eCall from January 2027.
- Drivers face broader 2026 shifts including a higher CO₂ price with a commuter allowance of €0.38 per km, a planned national digital licence by late 2026, extended EV tax relief to 2035 and expanded manufacturer liability for software from December 2026.