BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge - At a glance

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At a glance

Find out here about the most important changes to the electronic residence title. The most important changes are these:

  • The electronic residence title replaces the sticky label in your passport
  • The aim is to achieve a standard European format of residence title for third-state nationals
  • The electronic residence title is a discrete document in a practical credit card format
  • The electronic residence title contains a contactless chip inside the card, on which a digital photograph and two finger prints are stored to protect it from being misused and to create a reliable link between the owner of the electronic residence title and the document.
  • The electronic residence title contains an on-line identity function allowing transactions on the internet, for example, or at vending machines to be carried out quickly and easily.
  • The electronic residence title is ready to be used for a qualified electronic signature to allow digital documents to be legally signed
Date 18.01.2011

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Frequently questions

Are the old residence titles still valid?

The existing residence titles in passports and replacement passport documents retain the validity entered there until 31.08.2021 at the latest.

Why is the electronic residence title being introduced?

All EU member states were obliged to introduce the electronic residence title in order to create a unified residence title for third-country nationals entering the European Union. In addition, the connection between the document holder and the document is to be increased by using biometric data thereby reducing misuse.

Which data are stored on the electronic residence title chip?

The data stored are those printed on the card (e.g. first name/s, surname, address). In addition the chip contains biometric date (fingerprints and photo) and possibly other available incidental information (requirements).

May I see my data stored on the electronic residence title chip?

Every local foreign affairs office is equipped with readers. You can view the data stored on the chip there at any time. To do this, you must present your electronic residence title.

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