Germany approves digital overhaul of IDs, child benefits and vehicle registration

At the Minister‑President conference on 25 June 2026, the federal government and the German states agreed on a package of 60 short‑term measures to modernise public administration. The plan introduces a nationwide electronic register for personal IDs, allowing citizens to apply for a new Personalausweis online and have it mailed to their home, while municipalities and foreign missions are relieved of registry duties. From 2027, a digital wallet will let people store electronic copies of IDs, driver‑licenses and other documents on their smartphones.

Child benefit payments will become automatic: starting March 2027 families that already receive Kindergeld will get the €259 monthly entitlement without filing a form, and from November 2027 the system will cover first‑born children as well. A digital vehicle‑registration app (i‑Kfz) already sees over a million downloads and will enable online registration and de‑registration of cars. All authorities will accept email communication as a standard, and an electronic residence registration will become mandatory nationwide. A new “Deutschland‑App”, prototype ready now, will use AI to help users find services and fill forms.

The measures still require approval by the Bundestag and Bundesrat and are expected to be law by the end of 2026, with implementation beginning in 2027.