Foreign citizens in Germany require a residence permit.

From September 1, 2011, the electronic residence permit with a certified chip in credit card format will be introduced. The introduction of the electronic residence permit will replace the previous residence permit (adhesive label), the residence and permanent residence card and the paper substitute ID card.

The electronic residence permit will be issued for the following residence permits

• Residence permit
• Settlement permit
• EC permanent residence permit
• Residence card for family members of EU citizens who are not EU citizens
• Permanent residence card for family members of EU citizens who are not EU citizens
• Residence permit for Swiss nationals
• EU Blue Card

The chip of the electronic residence permit generally contains

• personal data,
• biometric data (facial image and two fingerprints) and
• ancillary provisions (conditions, e.g. for gainful employment),

stored.

It is also possible to store data on the chip

• Data for electronic government services (electronic proof of identity) and
• qualified electronic signature

can be stored on the chip. The use of these online ID functions can be switched on or off if desired.

As fingerprints are stored on the chip of the electronic residence permit, the applicant(s) aged 6 and over will always have to appear in person in future.