Germany 2026: New Law Allows Skipping Biometrics for eAT for 7 Years
Germany
In short. The Bundestag passed a law allowing the reuse of biometrics for eAT for 7 years (5 years for children), eliminating mandatory visits to the Ausländerbehörde.
- The new MDWG law was passed by the Bundestag on July 9 and the Bundesrat on July 10, 2026.
- Biometric data for eAT will be stored for 7 years for adults and 5 years for children.
- When renewing a permit, it is no longer necessary to personally visit the Ausländerbehörde every time.
- Identity verification documents will be centrally stored in the AZR register.
On July 9 and 10, 2026, the Bundestag and Bundesrat passed a new law (MDWG) that significantly simplifies the procedure for renewing an electronic residence permit (eAT). From now on, biometric data will be reused for 7 years.
What has changed
The Act on the Further Development of Digitalization in Migration Administration (Migrationsverwaltungsdigitalisierungsweiterentwicklungsgesetz – MDWG) eliminates the need to personally visit the foreigners' registration office (Ausländerbehörde) every time to submit fingerprints and take photos when renewing an eAT.
| Procedure | Before | After (under the new MDWG law) |
|---|---|---|
| Submitting biometrics (photos, fingerprints) | Mandatory personal visit for every eAT renewal | Data is stored and reused (7 years for adults, 5 years for children) |
| Identity verification | Each office required documents and verified identity separately | Documents are centrally stored in the AZR register for quick access by all authorized authorities |
Who is affected
The changes apply to all foreigners in Germany who hold a temporary electronic residence permit (eAT) and plan to renew it. This includes Ukrainians with temporary protection status (§24 AufenthG), as well as holders of work, student, and family permits.
What to do now
- Apply online: Continue to submit applications for eAT renewal through the digital portals of your local Ausländerbehörde.
- Wait for technical implementation: Although the law has been passed, local offices need time to configure their systems to automatically retrieve your old biometric data.
- Keep your documents up to date: If your previous fingerprints and photos are less than 7 years old (or 5 years for children), the system will be able to use them to issue a new eAT card without your visit.
Common mistakes
- Confusing eAT with a foreign passport: This rule applies only to the German internal residence permit (eAT), not to your Ukrainian foreign passport.
- Expecting immediate changes in all cities: The law provides for a gradual entry into force depending on the technical readiness of specific offices (according to Parts 8–10 of Art. 14 MDWG). Some Ausländerbehörde may still require personal presence for some time.
Rules change frequently — always check the current requirements on the official government source provided above before taking action.
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- Do I need to go to the Ausländerbehörde to renew §24?
- After the full implementation of the MDWG law, a personal visit to submit biometrics will not be necessary if your previous data was collected less than 7 years ago.
- From what age are biometrics stored for 5 years?
- For children, biometric data (photos and fingerprints) will be stored and reused for 5 years.
- Does this rule apply to the first issuance of an eAT?
- No, when applying for an electronic residence permit for the first time, you must still personally submit your fingerprints and a photograph.