Germany's embassy in the Netherlands has published updated guidelines outlining the exact process for German citizens to obtain a German passport. The guidelines, released on August 11, 2026, cover required documents, appointment booking, and payment methods.
Eligibility and Document Requirements
The guidelines state that only confirmed German citizens are eligible to apply for a passport. Individuals unsure of their citizenship status must resolve this before booking an appointment, as a passport cannot be issued without confirmed citizenship.
Applicants must bring a completed, printed, and signed application form. A biometric passport photo measuring 3.5 by 4.5 centimetres is required, and it must not be older than six months. The guidelines specifically note that biometric photos taken for Dutch passports do not meet German requirements due to differences in facial height dimensions.
Proof of Citizenship and Birth Certificate
A birth certificate is mandatory without exception. If issued in a language other than German, Dutch, or English, a certified translation must accompany it. Holding a German birth certificate does not, on its own, serve as proof of German citizenship.
Proof of citizenship varies by circumstance. Those born in Germany typically present a German birth certificate alongside a naturalisation certificate if applicable. Those born abroad must provide their own naturalisation or citizenship certificate. Where citizenship was inherited through a German parent or grandparent, additional documents tracing that lineage, including marriage certificates and birth certificates from previous generations, are required.
All documents must be originals or certified copies. Simple photocopies are not accepted under any circumstances.
Appointments and Payment Rules
Every applicant must attend in person, as the process includes identification checks and fingerprinting. Appointments must be booked in advance, with one appointment allocated per person. However, multiple documents for the same individual, such as a passport and an identity card, can be handled at a single visit.
Applications that arrive incomplete will not be processed, and the applicant will need to schedule a new appointment. Payment is due at the time of application and must be made either in cash in euros, ideally in the exact amount, or by Mastercard or Visa credit card in euros. If paying by card, the cardholder must be physically present at the consulate.
Collection and Additional Information
For those who cannot collect their documents personally, the consulate allows a third party to collect on their behalf. This requires a completed authorisation form submitted at the time of the original appointment. If the decision to use a third-party collector is made after the appointment, the applicant's signature must be certified by either a German authority or a Dutch municipality.
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