Passersatzpapiere (passport replacement documents) are official documents that can be used instead of a passport. In some situations, Germany can issue these documents.
Examples include:
- Reiseausweis für Ausländer (grauer Pass) (travel document for foreigners; "grey passport")
- Reiseausweis für Flüchtlinge (blauer Pass) (travel document for refugees; "blue passport")
- Reiseausweis für Staatenlose (travel document for stateless persons)
- Notreiseausweis (emergency travel document)
You can usually use a Passersatzpapier (passport replacement document) to prove your identity or travel. Some Passersatzpapiere are only valid for a specific trip or for a short time.
Where you can get a Passersatzpapiere depends on your citizenship.
If you are from an EU country, you can apply for one at your embassy or consulate. In an emergency, you can also apply to the Bundespolizei (Federal Police): Formular Bundespolizeit (Federal Police Form)
If you are from a country outside the EU and cannot get a passport from your embassy, you can apply for Passersatzpapiere at the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) (State Office for Immigration). If you are recognized as a refugee, the LEA issues you a Reiseausweis für Flüchtlinge (travel document for refugees). You can only get a Reiseausweis für Ausländer (travel document for foreign nationals) or a Reiseausweis für Staatenlose (travel document for stateless persons) if you can prove your identity and show that you cannot get a passport from your embassy.You can find more information here: Reiseausweis (travel document) | Service Portal
Some Passersatzpapiere look similar to a passport. Others are just a single page with a stamp and signature.
The Passersatzpapier contains important information about you, such as:
- your name
- your date of birth
- your citizenship
