Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
Jan 9th 2010, 2:46 pm
#46
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
To finally put this one to bed. You must have valid identification when resident in Germany, ie a valid (non-expired) UK passport BUT you do not have to carry it with you at all times. Of course, it may be sensible to have id (or a photocopy) with you just in case you need to prove you are who you say you are it is not required by law.
Last edited by THR; Jan 9th 2010 at 2:51 pm.
Jan 9th 2010, 3:23 pm
#47
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
But can you be stopped by the police in the street and be demanded to prove your identification? If so, how can you do that if you don't have an id on you at all times? Someone mentioned earlier a social security number which all citizens have but no-one can be expected to remember it by heart.
- some other form of photo id other than a valid passport/id card may be accepted
- you may just get a note and told to report to a police station within 3 days and show your passport/id card
- they may take you directly to your place of residence for you to find and show your passport/id
- they may take you to the police station and hold you there until they are satisfied you are who you say you are and are entitled to be in the country (remember that you should have a paper trail if you are resident, since you must register your address, you may also have a car, etc)
- failing this, they may hold you until you get deported
Jan 9th 2010, 5:05 pm
#48
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
Yes, the police can ask you for id at any time. There are several options, largely dependent on the police officer and their mood at the time.
- some other form of photo id other than a valid passport/id card may be accepted
- you may just get a note and told to report to a police station within 3 days and show your passport/id card
- they may take you directly to your place of residence for you to find and show your passport/id
- they may take you to the police station and hold you there until they are satisfied you are who you say you are and are entitled to be in the country (remember that you should have a paper trail if you are resident, since you must register your address, you may also have a car, etc)
- failing this, they may hold you until you get deported
- some other form of photo id other than a valid passport/id card may be accepted
- you may just get a note and told to report to a police station within 3 days and show your passport/id card
- they may take you directly to your place of residence for you to find and show your passport/id
- they may take you to the police station and hold you there until they are satisfied you are who you say you are and are entitled to be in the country (remember that you should have a paper trail if you are resident, since you must register your address, you may also have a car, etc)
- failing this, they may hold you until you get deported
Oh dear..who wants to live there again..after you made it al the way to Germany
Jan 9th 2010, 9:28 pm
#49
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
expats really shouldn't worry about being stopped and required to show id. the cops in the uk can do the same and both police forces have officers who are usually pretty relaxed unless you give them a reason to not be. just be respectful and they will be fine with you.
Jan 10th 2010, 12:10 am
#50
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
well, if you're an expat it means you live in Germany, though unless you lived pretty close they won't be taking you back to your place to find the document but it's happened. ;-)
expats really shouldn't worry about being stopped and required to show id. the cops in the uk can do the same and both police forces have officers who are usually pretty relaxed unless you give them a reason to not be. just be respectful and they will be fine with you.
expats really shouldn't worry about being stopped and required to show id. the cops in the uk can do the same and both police forces have officers who are usually pretty relaxed unless you give them a reason to not be. just be respectful and they will be fine with you.
Jan 10th 2010, 4:12 pm
#53
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
And we're in the 'Germany' board where someone asked about being asked for id in Germany.
Jan 10th 2010, 4:49 pm
#55
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
The foreign office recommends UK citizens to carry their passports when outside the UK, in most countries it is compulsory anyway.
Jan 10th 2010, 6:30 pm
#56
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
In many countries , any I.D. ( carte d' identite , any valid driver's licence ) is sufficient ; one of the ( very few ) good things left to boast about the EU...
Jan 10th 2010, 7:41 pm
#58
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
Could be : Life , generally ?
Especially since France got voted the world's best place to live AGAIN
( for the consecutive 5th year running ) , with Germany , Switzerland and Belgium also in the Top 10 ( made up of the usual Oz , NZ , Canada , USA ...also : Luxembourg and Italy ) but , hey :
Nil mention of U.K. , Ireland or Spain...
Especially since France got voted the world's best place to live AGAIN
( for the consecutive 5th year running ) , with Germany , Switzerland and Belgium also in the Top 10 ( made up of the usual Oz , NZ , Canada , USA ...also : Luxembourg and Italy ) but , hey :
Nil mention of U.K. , Ireland or Spain...
Jan 10th 2010, 8:08 pm
#59
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Jan 10th 2010, 8:52 pm
#60
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Re: Is ID really compulsory all the time in Germany?
Belgium , Luxembourg , The Netherlands ...the Austrian traffic cops were also quite friendly about U.K. driver's licence ( and no other I.D. to hand ) , whereas the Germans , in 20+ years of my experience , gladly accept anything that appears vaguely British ...ain't if funny , how some nations continue to hold us , in such high regard ?