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What does Personalausweis mean?

The Personalausweis (identity card) is the German ID card for German citizens. It shows who you are.

der Personalausweis · die Personalausweise (plural)

You apply for it at the Bürgeramt. Germans aged 16 and over must have an ID card or a passport.

People without German citizenship do not get a Personalausweis. They usually identify themselves with their passport and their Aufenthaltstitel.

You can often also use the Personalausweis to identify yourself online, for example with offices.

Example sentence

Bitte bringen Sie Ihren Personalausweis oder Reisepass mit.

Please bring your Personalausweis or passport.

What you can do

Check the expiry date. Apply for a new ID card a few weeks before.

  • Reisepass With the Reisepass (passport), you show who you are and which citizenship you have. You need it for many journeys.
  • Bürgeramt The Bürgeramt (citizens' office) is your city's office for ID cards, passports and registering your address.
  • Anmeldung Anmeldung (registration) means you register your new address at the Bürgeramt. This is compulsory when you move into a home.
  • Aufenthaltstitel An Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) allows you to live in Germany. It is often a card, the electronic residence permit.