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Germany starts next phase of digitalisation for ID and residence cards

The new regulation applies to a range of identity documents, including ID cards, passports electronic residence permits and travel documents for foreigners. However, offices issues driving licences and other official documents will still accept paper photos for the time being. Announcing the changes in Dessau, acting Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) said the transition to digital photos would make the process of applying for a residence permit more efficient in future. READ ALSO: Germany's new digital ID app for residents "In future, our passport and ID documents will be even more secure against misuse or forgery thanks to the digital photographs," the SPD politician explained. "At the same time, we are reducing the administrative burden and simplifying the process, as local authorities will be able to offer citizens the entire application process in just one visit to the citizens' office." As part of the digital switch, the Federal Printing House ( Bundesdruckerei ) will equip immigration offices and citizens' offices ( Bürgerämter ) with specially authorised photo terminals by summer, known as the 'PointID' system. This will mean that residents can secure a digital photo on-site during their appointment to apply for a residence permit, foreigners' travel document, German passport or ID card. The Interior Ministry expects that well over 90 percent of German passport and immigration authorities will be able to provide digital photographs in future. The PointID terminals can be used for a fee of €6. Alternatively, applicants for e-ID cards will still have the option of going to photo service providers such as photo studios and drugstores to secure their digital photos. Their picture will then be submitted to the authorities via an encrypted cloud "to prevent misuse and forgeries", according to the ministry. Advertisement After the photo is taken, the service provider will issue customers a digital matrix code - similar to a QR code. This can then be scanned by the authorities at the Bürgeramt or immigration office in order to securely retreive the digital photo. According cloud provider Ringfoto, around 3,200 businesses have signed up to the service so far. READ ALSO: What is Germany's electronic ID card and how do you use it? Though the new rules will enter into force on May 1st, local authorities will be given a grace period of three months until July 31st to fully implement the changes. During this time, they will still be able to accept some paper photos in some situations. "If citizens have already had a paper passport photo taken in April for their application in May out of ignorance, no one will have to make a new appointment," the Interior Minister explains on its website . Acting Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) demonstrates the use of the digital PointID photo terminals at a press event in Dessau, Saxony-Anhalt. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jan Woitas "The authority will either accept the paper photo as an exception or - if it already has the appropriate technology on site - a digital photo on site. In such cases, the local authorities are obliged to waive the photo fee." In another key change set to come in this May, passports, ID cards and residence permits will be able to be delivered by post in future. Advertisement This will mean applicants can complete the process in a single visit to their local Bürgeramt or immigration office and have their documents delivered to their door. According to the Interior Ministry, this will be available for a fee of €15, which is intended to cover the cost of secure delivery. The transition away from paper photos is one of a number of steps that the German government has taken in recent months to digitalise its adminstrative processes. In October, an app was launched that enables residents of Germany to easily prove their identity . Numerous states, including Berlin, have also rolled out digital applications for residence permits and citizenship, while a national online visa application portal was launched worldwide in January .