Transfer of the residence permit to the new passport

If you have received a new passport, you must also apply for a new electronic residence permit.

Course description

Online application to transfer your residence permit

  1. Click on the ‘Apply online’ button on this page to be taken to the general contact form for the Immigration and Naturalisation Service.
  2. Click on ‘Start’ to open the general contact form.
  3. Under ‘Please select the relevant option’, choose the category: ‘I have a question’.
  4. Complete the first three questions. If you are registered as a resident in Munich, you can select the category “Transfer of residence permit to a new passport”.
  5. Upload the required documents (see below) and submit your enquiry.

Visiting the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Centre

Once your documents have been checked, you can book an appointment to collect your new residence permit. At this appointment, we can only process the transfer and no other matters.

Do you have a new passport and wish to travel abroad?

  • Your settlement permit or EU long-term residence permit remains valid in Germany even if your previous passport has expired and you have already received a new passport. To re-enter Germany, at many border controls you will only need to present your old and new passports, as well as your existing settlement permit. However, before travelling to another country, we recommend that you find out about the entry formalities or contact the embassy or consulate of the country in question in good time before your departure. Please note that the Service Centre for Immigration and Naturalisation does not provide information on the entry requirements of other countries and accepts no responsibility for departure from or re-entry to third countries. ​
  • Your temporary residence permit expires at the latest when your passport expires. If you have not yet received the extension of your residence permit, you will need a provisional residence certificate. When travelling abroad, please carry all documents proving your right of residence in Germany with you. This also applies to travel to another Schengen country.

Required documents

To apply for an eAT, you will need

  • your old passport (if you have one)
  • your new passport
  • a current notification from the Sozialbürgerhaus, if you are receiving benefits under Book II or XII of the Social Code (if available)
  • a recent biometric passport photo, submitted digitally by a certified photo studio or chemist’s. Alternatively, you can use one of the photo terminals at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Centre for a fee.
  • a completed insurance form as part of the passport transfer process(only required for temporary residence permits which, despite the legally permissible duration of issue, have been limited to the validity period of the passport)

Note

  • The documents submitted (such as proof of identity and language certificates) will be checked for authenticity. We consistently report forgeries to the police.
  • In individual cases, further documents may be required.

Duration and costs

Processing time

10 - 12 weeks

Questions about the processing status cannot be answered during this time.

We can only finalise your application if you have submitted all the required documents; if we have to request additional documents, this will delay the process.

Fees and charges

Reissue of an electronic residence permit: 67 euros

If sent directly by the Federal Printing Office: an additional 15 euros

Legal basis

§ Section 45c (1) no. 1 AufenthV

Related services

Harmonisation of the name with German law

Harmonisation allows you to adapt a name acquired under foreign law to the rules of German naming law.

Collection of electronic residence permits and travel documents

If you would like to collect your electronic residence permit or electronic travel document, you will need an appointment.

Cancellation Loss or theft of the eID card

If your lost or stolen eID card turns up, please inform your Citizens Office immediately.

Loss or theft of eID card

If your eID card is lost or stolen, there is some information to bear in mind. You can find it here.

Loss of residence or identity documents

If you have lost your residence permit, travel document or other documents or if they have been stolen, you can report the loss here.

eID card (EU/EEA)

Citizens from an EU country (except Germany) or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein can apply for an eID card.

Cancellation of the residence permit, § 51 AufenthG

You need a certificate for longer stays abroad. The certificate is necessary, otherwise your residence permit may lose its validity.