Since the beginning of 2013, German citizens living in Spain have been able to deal with matters relating to both their German identity cards and passports directly through the competent German diplomatic mission or consular office. Although passport applications can also be submitted to honorary consuls, matters relating to German identity cards must be handled by one of the following consulates.

In addition to the German Embassy in Madrid, German consulates can be found in Barcelona, Málaga, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Palma de Mallorca.

Required Documents:

To apply for a German identity card, you will need the following documents (Identity documents for persons aged 18 and over):

• a biometric passport photograph (35x45mm with a light-coloured background). A photo booth for biometric photographs is available in the waiting area of the consulate.

• your current passport or identity card; if your passport has been lost: a police report confirming the loss (information on filing a police report is available at: www.policia.es)

• birth certificate (if available, a German certificate; in the case of a Spanish certificate, a “Certificado literal de nacimiento”)

• where applicable, proof of your legal name (German marriage certificate, German birth certificate or certificate of name)

• if married, the marriage certificate relating to the most recent marriage (if the marriage certificate was issued in Germany, the birth certificate is not required)

• if resident in Spain: a current Spanish certificate of registration with the local municipality, “Certificado de Empadronamiento” (issued no more than six months previously); the former “Tarjeta de Residencia” or the “Certificado de Registro de Ciudadanos de la Unión” (green DIN A4 certificate) is not sufficient.

• certificate of deregistration from the German residents' registration office if you have ever been registered as resident in Germany.

• if available: proof of acquisition of German citizenship (certificate of citizenship, naturalisation certificate or certificate confirming acquisition of German citizenship by declaration)

Particular attention should be paid to both the German certificate of deregistration and the Spanish certificate of municipal registration. The former can be requested from the residents' registration office at your previous place of residence in Germany, often by post. Information regarding the Spanish certificate of municipal registration issued by the Spanish local authority can be found in the following article: Municipal Register

Fees: For identity cards for applicants aged 24 and over, a fee of €59.80 is payable (passport: €81.00). However, if you submit your application to a consulate outside the consular district responsible for your place of residence, the fee is €76.80 (passport: €144.00). To establish which consulate has jurisdiction, it is important to include the corresponding Spanish certificate of municipal registration, “Certificado de Empadronamiento”, with your application.

Appointments: As a general rule, applications for passports or identity cards can only be submitted in person and by prior appointment through the relevant appointment booking system.

Further information, application forms and appointment booking can be found at:

If you have any questions regarding tax or legal matters in Spain, we will be pleased to advise you. Please contact us by telephone or email.

Author:

Nicole Gottschling
Management & Non-Resident
info@sspartners.es
Tel: (+34) 951 12 13 06
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