Danger! Last chance for a passport before the summer holidays in NRW!

Danger! Last chance for a passport before the summer holidays in NRW!

In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the focus is on applying for ID cards and passports as an important deadline approaches before the upcoming summer holidays on July 14, 2025. The last deadline for applying for a new passport without the express procedure is May 19, 2025 in Dortmund. The processing time for a new passport there is currently an impressive eight to ten weeks. However, in Recklinghausen, citizens should not wait until this date, as the city recommends applying for the passport no later than May 23 to ensure timely collection before the holidays.

In Bochum, however, the processing time for a new passport is around six weeks, which is why applications should be submitted by June 6th at the latest. The deadlines vary from city to city in NRW, which requires careful planning. Given the increased demand for passports since May, experience has shown that citizens' offices are often overloaded, which further increases interest in applying early.

Importance of passport

The German passport allows visa-free travel to 194 countries. The application must be made at the citizens' office at the main place of residence. Appointment booking is usually required online; In exceptional cases, bookings at other locations are possible, but additional costs may apply. A valid ID and a biometric photo are required to apply. Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian or present the consent of the other legal guardian.

The fees for passports vary depending on age: people aged 24 and over pay 70 euros, while people under 24 have to pay 37.50 euros. The validity period of the passport is six years for those under 24 and ten years for adults. A temporary passport is valid for one year and is useful when the regular passport cannot be issued in time.

Express Procedure and Temporary Passports

If you are in a particularly hurry, you can use an express procedure, which requires an additional charge of around 32 euros. In this case, the passport will be completed within three working days, provided all documents are complete. Temporary passports are also available, but not all countries accept them. An identity card is often sufficient for traveling within the EU; A passport is usually required for travel outside Europe.

From May 2025 there will also be significant reforms in the passport and ID system. This includes the digital creation of passport photos and the transmission to the responsible authorities. Innovative self-service kiosks will collect biometric data and identification documents can be delivered directly to applicants' registration addresses. In the future, it will also be possible to store an email address for reminders or to note address changes on the ID card itself.

Overall, timely planning and early applications for passports and ID cards are crucial, especially with the upcoming summer holidays in mind. Citizens should inform themselves about the specific deadlines and options in their city to avoid possible complications.

Further information on deadlines and application options can be found at Ruhr24 and Antenna NRW.