Lost Passport or ID Card — What to Do in Germany?

First Steps After Loss or Theft

If you lose your Reisepass, Personalausweis or Aufenthaltstitel in Germany or it is stolen, you must act quickly. A lost identity document can be misused for identity theft, and without a valid ID you cannot identify yourself.

Immediate Actions:

1. Stay calm — carefully reconstruct the loss (when and where was it last seen?)
2. Notify the police — file a loss report
3. Contact your Consulate/Embassy (for foreign documents)
4. Inform the Foreigners' Office (if Aufenthaltstitel is affected)

Step 1 — File a Loss Report with the Police

Go to the nearest police station and file a loss report (in case of theft: theft report). You will need:

• Your name and address in Germany
• A description of the lost document (type, number, issue date, if known)
• Information about the location of loss and time

The police will issue you a written confirmation of the loss report. Keep this in a safe place — you will need it for all further steps.

Costs: Filing a loss report with the police is free of charge.

Why is the Loss Report So Important?

• It protects you from misuse of your document (e.g. identity theft)
• It is a prerequisite for applying for a replacement document
• The lost passport is blocked in searchable databases (SIS II / INPOL)
• Without a loss report, you may encounter problems during checks

Step 2 — Apply for a Replacement Document

For German Citizens

Go with the loss report to the Citizen's Office (Bürgeramt) of your place of residence and apply for:

Required Documents:

• Loss report from the police
• Biometric passport photo (no older than 6 months)
• If necessary birth certificate or marriage certificate
• Certificate of registration (if no other document is available)

For Foreign Nationals (EU)

EU citizens can only apply for their Personalausweis or Reisepass in their country of origin or at the competent Consulate in Germany.

Procedure:

1. File a loss report with German police
2. Contact your Consulate or Embassy in Germany
3. Apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) or a new passport
4. Costs and processing times vary by country

For Third-Country Nationals (Non-EU)

If you are from a non-EU country and lose your passport:

1. Loss report with German police
2. Immediately contact your Consulate or Embassy
3. Apply for a new passport or travel document (Laissez-Passer) there
4. Go to the Foreigners' Office with the new document

Step 3 — Lost Aufenthaltstitel

If you have lost your Aufenthaltstitel (electronic Aufenthaltstitel — eAT), you must additionally:

1. Notify the Foreigners' Office (in person or by phone)
2. Schedule an appointment at the Foreigners' Office
3. Apply for a new eAT

Required Documents:

• Loss report from the police
• Biometric passport photo
• Valid passport (or substitute document)
• €67 fee

Important: Until the new eAT is issued (4–6 weeks), you will receive a certificate of fictional entry (Fiktionsbescheinigung). This confirms that your stay remains lawful.

Special Case: Lost Both Passport and Aufenthaltstitel

If you have lost both documents at the same time:

1. First file a loss report with the police for both documents
2. Then apply for a new passport at your Consulate
3. With the new passport and loss report, go to the Foreigners' Office
4. Apply for a new Aufenthaltstitel there

Until all documents are reissued, the loss report and possibly a certificate of fictional entry serve as provisional proof.

Lost and Found Office — Maybe It Was Found

Before you reapply for all documents, it's worth checking the Lost and Found Office (Fundamt):

• Online: Many cities have an online lost and found service (e.g. fundservice.berlin.de)
• In person: Lost and Found Office at City Hall or Citizen's Office
• Storage period: Lost items are usually kept for 6 months

Important Tips

Securing Documents — Preventively

• Make copies (paper and digital) of all important documents: passport, Aufenthaltstitel, birth certificate
• Store copies securely (e.g. encrypted cloud, not in the same wallet)
• Write down document numbers separately

Lost Abroad

If you lose your passport abroad (e.g. while traveling):

• Contact the German Consulate (for German passport) or your home country's consulate
• An emergency passport or travel document allows you to return to Germany
• Costs are approximately €26–70 depending on the document and country

Loss Report vs. Theft Report

• Loss report = you lost the document (not a criminal offense)
• Theft report = your document was stolen (criminal report)
• In case of theft, you may be able to claim damages through your household insurance

Observe Deadlines

• Loss report: File immediately — there is no deadline, but the sooner the better
• Foreigners' Office: Report the loss without undue delay — otherwise you risk a fine
• ID requirement: Germans aged 16 and above are required to have a valid Personalausweis or Reisepass

As of: March 2026. All information without warranty.