Overview

• The Interior Ministry confirmed it has launched a rulemaking procedure to adjust Personalausweis charges.
• The Bundesdruckerei raised product prices for ID documents by about €4.90 on August 1, pushing immediate costs onto municipal administration shares.
• Current statutory fees are €37 for applicants 24 and over and €22.80 for under‑24s, while passport fees are not set to rise according to the ministry.
• The German Association of Cities disputes that position and calls for broader fee adjustments, citing tight local budgets and rising personnel and energy costs.
• The shift to digital biometric photos and the rollout of Bundesdruckerei’s PointID systems contribute to costs, though the ministry describes their impact as minor, and consumer coverage advises renewing soon to avoid higher fees once new rates apply.