Digitalization: Bundestag decides on innovations for ID cards and passports

Berlin. The Bundestag has decided on the legal basis for the introduction of the digital wallet next year, in which, for example, ID cards can be stored. In the future, citizens will be able to use the “d-you” app to identify themselves more easily to authorities and contractual partners online. In the future, even in the analog world, the ID on the cell phone should be sufficient so that the plastic card can stay at home. Other forms of identity such as a driver's license will be added step by step.

The app for the digital wallet (wallet) will be called “d-you”. According to Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU), the wallet is scheduled to go into operation on January 2, 2027. Germany is thus implementing an EU regulation that stipulates that every member state must provide an application for digital ID cards on smartphones. The law passed in the Bundestag is intended to create the legal basis for this.

It also provides for measures to relieve citizens of bureaucracy. Older people should no longer have to apply for a new identity card in the future: anyone who was 70 years old or older when they applied for their last identity card should be able to continue to use it indefinitely. The usual obligation to reapply after the validity expires after ten years no longer applies. In addition, passport holders will no longer have to go to the office to have their place of residence recorded in their passport when moving. The pass is still valid, even if the old place of residence is still on it.