Germany to Swap All Paper and Card Licences for New EU‑Compliant Cards

Germany is requiring owners of legacy paper licences (issued before 31 December 1998) and older plastic cards (issued 1999‑2013) to exchange them for the EU‑wide, tamper‑proof licence. The exchange must be completed at the local driver‑licence office, costs about €25, and the new card is valid for 15 years.

The deadline varies by birth year and issue date: drivers born in 1971 or later must exchange by 19 January 2025; cards issued 1999‑2001 by 19 January 2026; 2002‑2004 by 19 January 2027, with the overall programme ending on 19 January 2033. Failure to meet the deadline is a minor offence punishable by a €10 warning fine. The overhaul, affecting roughly 15 million paper licences and 28 million cards, aims to create a uniform EU licence, improve security and prevent misuse.