Residence permit, transfer to a new passport

Foreigners who want to stay in Germany need a residence permit.

Since September 1st, 2011, the electronic residence permit (eAT) has replaced the residence permit issued as an adhesive label:

• the residence permit, settlement permit and EC long-term residence permit previously issued as an adhesive label,
• the residence card and the permanent residence card.

The previous residence titles in the passports and passport replacement documents remain valid. No exchange/transfer will take place or be required as long as the title and pass are valid.

The electronic residence permit (eAT) will be reissued

All third-country nationals (including infants and small children) receive their own electronic residence permit.

The competent office for foreigners' affairs for the place of residence is without exception.

The electronic residence permit is issued in credit card format. It contains a contactless chip. The cardholder’s biometric data is stored on the chip:

• 1. photograph,
• 2. Fingerprints (from the age of 6).

Only official bodies (such as immigration authorities, police, registration authorities) may read the content of the chip.

The validity of the electronic residence permit depends on the duration of the residence permit and also requires a valid passport. In the case of permanent residence permits, the card itself is valid for a maximum of 10 years.

If desired, the eAT can also be used as an online ID function or qualified electronic signature. More detailed information can be obtained from the respective offices for matters relating to foreigners. You can obtain detailed information on online use and other functions by calling 01801-333333 (3.9 cents/minute/landline).