As "Russkaya Germaniya" notes, the new version of the passport of the Federal Republic of Germany will be more reliably protected against forgery. The last time the German passport was revised was ten years ago, in 2007, after Germany first began issuing biometric passports in 2005.
The new document, as the Federal Printing Office (Bundesdruckerei) indicates, is 99.9 percent more secure. It will allow faster and better identification of the document holder worldwide, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière is confident. The new passport meets the most modern technological requirements – in particular, its data can be read using mobile devices that support the NFC data exchange protocol.
The format of the new passport is a few millimeters smaller than the previous one – it corresponds to the format of the new German internal passport. Instead of a hard cover, the new document has a flexible one, with embossing on its front and back pages. On the front is a hologram that changes from an eagle to the letter D depending on the viewing angle; on the back are the notes and text of the national anthem. On both sides of the cover are individual holograms with the holder's data.
The passport itself, which is inside the cover and externally resembles the internal one – is the same as before, with the same security features, but instead of laminated special paper, it will now be made of polycarbonate. On its right side, there will be a transparent window containing a chip with the holder's personal data, and each page of the passport is made of paper with security features and new watermarks. Under ultraviolet light, the passport pages display the Brandenburg Gate and the eagle from the German coat of arms.
German citizens are not required to order the new passport. All previously issued old passports will remain valid until the end of their validity period as indicated in the document. It is worth remembering that entry into many countries of the world is permitted with a passport whose validity is at least six months after crossing the border. You can obtain a new passport by contacting municipal authorities at your place of residence.
What is needed to obtain a new passport? The list of requirements and documents varies depending on the federal state. In any case, an old passport is required, and if it is not available or lost, an internal passport is needed. A biometric photograph is also required; since November 2007, there has been a requirement to provide fingerprints, which are stored digitally on the passport chip. Without this data, the document holder cannot enter a number of countries – for example, the USA. To obtain a passport for a child, you must present a child's passport, birth certificate, and documents indicating the custody rights of both parents.
The new document will be slightly more expensive: the old one cost German citizens 59 euros, the price of the new one is rounded to 60. For young people under 24, the document, as before, will cost 37.50 euros, a child's passport costs 13 euros, a temporary one – 26 euros. The processing time for a new passport ranges from two to six weeks, and its validity period is ten years. For those under 24, the passport will be issued for six years.