The complete guide for the application
Afghan passport Germany 2025
For many Afghans who live in Germany and have residence status, having a valid Afghan passport is a crucial step in securing their legal situation - be it for a Settlement permit or Naturalization.
Find out more here:
- Why an Afghan passport is so important to Germany
- which documents are required
- how the passport application process works in Afghanistan
- what role the Afghan missions abroad play
The most important facts in brief
- Current: The Consulate General in Munich is the only office in Germany that issues new Afghan passports.
- Time frame: 4-6 weeks waiting time for appointments + 6-12 weeks processing time
- Costs: 120-150€ (5 years) or 200-220€ (10 years)
- Most important document: a notarized Tazkira is mandatory
Afghan passport in Germany: your path to valid documents
In Germany, an Afghan passport is often the key to important steps such as Naturalization, Settlement permit or family reunification. In this video you will learn how to obtain a new Afghan passport step by step - regardless of whether you have an expired passport, Tazkira or no documents at all.
You can also find out when you can actually go to the embassy without jeopardizing your Residence permit and which documents you need.
Why is an Afghan passport important?
An Afghan passport is a key document for establishing identity and is indispensable for many legal processes in Germany:
- Residence permit
Even if a passport is not mandatory for the extension of a residence permit according to § 5 Para. 3 AufenthG, it makes the procedure considerably easier. - Settlement permit
Generally no permanent Settlement permit without a valid passport - it serves as clear proof of identity and citizenship. - Naturalization
A valid passport is required for German citizenship in order to establish your identity beyond doubt.
"As a rule, identity and nationality are first and foremost clarified by means of valid passports." (Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior, letter dated 14.07.2025)
Current situation of the Afghan missions abroad in Germany
1st Consulate General Munich - Currently the only place for new passports!
The Consulate General in Munich is currently the only Afghan representation in Germany that issues new passports. This is because the staff there have been cooperating with the de facto Taliban government since mid-2024.
Important information about the Consulate General Munich:
- Issues biometric Afghan passports
- Responsible for Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and currently (11.09.2025) for Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland)
- Waiting times: 4-6 weeks for appointments
- Processing time: 6-12 weeks
- Costs: approx. 120-150 € (5 years) to 200-220 € (10 years)
Checklist Munich - What you need:
- notarized Tazkira (paper or electronic) or an old Afghan passport
- 2 biometric passport photos (35x45mm)
- Proof of residenceResidence permit)
- Birth certificate (if available)
- Proof of fee payment (120-150 € for 5 years, 200-220 € for 10 years)
- If you lose your passport: If you have a previous Afghan passport, you must bring it with you. In case of loss, a police report is required.
- Confirmation of appointment
2nd Embassy Berlin
The Afghan Embassy in Berlin does not currently issue new passports - only passport renewals with an adhesive label are possible. It also offers:
- Confirmation of marriage certificates
- Single certificates
- Issuing birth certificates
- "Confirmation of Identity" (certificate of identity)
- Negative certificate
"According to the note verbale of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Berlin dated 26.07.2022, the embassy is still unable to accept new passport applications and can only issue new passports in exceptional cases." - Ministry of Social Affairs, Youth, Family, Senior Citizens, Integration and Equality Schleswig-Holstein
3rd Consulate General Bonn
Attention: The embassy has been closed since 29.09.2025. The entire staff has resigned because they do not want to work with the Taliban.
Passport application outside Germany - Dubai
Afghan nationals can apply for an Afghan passport at the Consulate General Dubai.
Prerequisites:
- Online application only with existing biometric passport (also expired)
- Without a biometric passport: personal interview in Dubai. You will need to apply for a visa.
What is a tazkira and why is it important?
The Tazkira is the basic Afghan document. It confirms both your identity and your citizenship. No Afghan passport without a Tazkira!
Attention: Counterfeits!
BfV security advice: "Many e-Tazkirs are not included in the register. Forgeries are widespread." (Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, 2025)
Who can apply for an Afghan passport?
Any person with Afghan citizenship and residence status in Germany, if they:
- Have a notarized Tazkira (paper or e-Tazkira) or an old or expired Afghan passport.
- Alternatively: Proof such as birth certificates or tazkiras from family members.
- In individual cases: identity confirmed by witness statements in Afghanistan.
Your personal roadmap: 5 scenarios for passport applications
Tazkira, birth certificate or no documents at all - this is how to apply for an Afghan passport for Germany.
Tip: Check the websites of the Afghan missions abroad regularly, as procedures and requirements can change at short notice depending on the political situation.
Tazkira available - Scenario A
Notarized Tazkira available
If you already have an officially notarized Tazkira (confirmation from the Afghan Foreign Ministry in Kabul), you can apply for a passport directly in Germany.
Procedure:
1. make an appointment
- Make an appointment at the Afghan Consulate General in Munich (only there will new passports be issued).
2. prepare documents
- Notarized Tazkira (original)
- Passport photos (biometric)
- Proof of residence (registration certificate)
- Confirmation of appointment
3. on site in Munich
- Present your Tazkira.
- Have your biometric data recorded (fingerprints, photo, signature).
4. processing & collection
- Your passport will be produced in Afghanistan and sent to the Consulate General.
- After notification, you will collect it in person.
Duration: Usually a few weeks (depending on production and shipping).
Tazkira not yet notarized
If your paper tazkira has not yet been legalized by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul, this must be done before you apply for a passport.
Procedure:
1. create power of attorney
- Ask the Afghan Embassy in Berlin or the Consulates General in Munich/Bonn to issue a power of attorney authorizing a representative in Afghanistan to carry out the authentication for you.
2. send Tazkira to the representative in Afghanistan
- Hand over or send the original or a certified copy by post (with tracking) to your representative.
3. notarization in Kabul
- Your representative goes with the Tazkira and the power of attorney to the Afghan Foreign Ministry in Kabul.
- There the authenticity is checked and officially confirmed (official stamp, register entry).
4. return shipment
- The notarized Tazkira will be sent to you in Germany.
5. passport application
- With the now notarized Tazkira, proceed as in variant 1: Book an appointment in Munich, submit documents, provide biometric data.
Duration & costs:
- Notarization incl. shipping: approx. 6 weeks
- Cost: approx. 500 € (depending on fees and shipping)
- Additional consular fees for the passport
💡 Note
Without contacts in Afghanistan, authentication is difficult to implement.
In these cases, you must plausibly explain why it is impossible for you to have the Tazkira notarized in Afghanistan. If this is accepted, you will be classified at level 2 in the level model.
The Consulate General will issue you with a certificate confirming that an Afghan passport cannot be issued and that an identity certificate should be applied for and issued instead.You will therefore receive two documents in this process:
1. The certificate of identity
2. The certificate of non-issuance of a passport
Birth certificate only - Scenario B
- Procedure: Birth certificate is not sufficient - additionally apply for a notarized Tazkira in Afghanistan.
- Process: Issue power of attorney via Embassy Berlin or Consulate General Munich → representative in Afghanistan applies for Tazkira at the competent authority (NSIA) → then apply for passport in Munich.
Tazkira + birth certificate - Scenario C
Procedure: Combination increases chances of success. Tazkira must be notarized.
- Process: See scenario A.
Appointment in Munich, present both documents, biometric registration.
No personal documents, but family records - Scenario D
- Procedure: Use the Tazkira or passport of a parent or sibling.
- Process: apply for power of attorney → representative in Afghanistan submits proof of family/witness statements to the NSIA → apply for Tazkira passport in Munich after it has been issued.
No documents - Scenario E
- Procedure:
1. Apply for e-tazkira abroad (currently possible in Pakistan - as of 09/2025) or
2. use family evidence/witness statements in Afghanistan.
- Process:
1. e-tazkira abroad (e.g. Pakistan)
Apply for E-Tazkira at the Afghan embassy/consulate in Pakistan (documents, photos, biometric data, fees).
- Apply for a passport in Munich with E-Tazkira (appointment, documents, fees).
2. family evidence/witness statements in Afghanistan
Grant power of attorney to a trusted person in Afghanistan.
Representative submits evidence to NSIA, receives Tazkira.
Apply for a passport with Tazkira in Munich (appointment, documents, fees).
💡 What if I don't have a tazkira?
Without a Tazkira, applying for a passport is difficult, but not impossible:
In Germany
A Tazkira (paper form or eTazkira) cannot be applied for in Germany, as it is only issued in Afghanistan. The reason for this is that the Afghan authorities, in particular the National Statistics and Information Agency (NSIA), control the registration and issuing of Tazkiras. There are no corresponding institutions in Germany.
In Afghanistan
- Family documents: Tazkiras or passports of parents or siblings can be presented to the NSIA in Afghanistan for identity verification.
- Witness statements: Two credible witnesses (e.g. family members with documents) can confirm your identity in Afghanistan.
- Procedure:
1. Apply for a power of attorney at the Embassy Berlin or the Consulate General Munich/Bonn.
2. the authorized person submits supporting documents in Afghanistan.
3. after receiving the Tazkira, you can apply for a passport in Munich.
Note: If you have no relatives in Afghanistan, please contact the Embassy in Berlin or the Consulate General in Munich/Bonn. They will check whether alternative proof such as school certificates, previous travel documents or other documents can be recognized.
Legal security: your questions answered
Do I have to go to the embassy?
Yes, to apply for an Afghan passport you usually have to appear in person at the consulate in Munich. This is due to the following reasons:
- Biometric data: Biometric data (fingerprints, photo) must be recorded in order to issue a passport, which is only possible on site.
- Identity check: The consular officials check the identity of the applicant on the basis of the documents presented (Tazkira, old passport).
- Signature: The application requires the personal signature of the applicant.
In exceptional cases (e.g. health restrictions), you should contact the consulate in Munich directly to clarify alternative procedures.
Does the embassy visit jeopardize my protection status?
NO! Visiting the Afghan embassy or consulate to apply for a passport is legally safe:
- No protection status (Section 73 (7) AsylG)
- No revocation of protection status
- Court ruling: VG Würzburg confirms safety (25.07.2022)
Recommendation: Get a "certificate for passport procurement" from your Foreigners' office!
Contacting an embassy to obtain a passport in Germany is not considered a protection status as long as no entry into the country of origin takes place. (BAMF statement, 2025)
Attention:
Data transfer: Application data is transferred to the Afghan Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Kabul, which is under Taliban control. According to current information (as of July 30, 2025), however, there are no documented cases of political persecution based purely on passport applications in Germany.
What are the risks of traveling to Afghanistan for my stay in Germany?
A trip to Afghanistan can jeopardize your protection status and thus your residence rights in Germany - even with a valid Afghan passport.
- Obligation to notify: According to § 47b AufenthG, persons entitled to protection must notify the Foreigners' office (start of journey, purpose, duration). A fine of up to €1,000 may be imposed if this is not reported.
- Risk of revocation: According to § 73 para. 7 AsylG, returning to Afghanistan can be seen as a sign that there is no longer a need for protection - there is a risk of revocation proceedings.
- Exceptions: Morally compelling reasons such as visiting a dying relative or a funeral may be recognized, but require proof (e.g. medical certificates, death certificates).
- Recommendation: Seek legal advice before traveling, submit the trip in writing to the Foreigners' office and collect all receipts.
How does the graduated model work if I don't get an Afghan passport?
If for the Naturalization or for residence procedures, German authorities apply the step-by-step model developed by the Federal Administrative Court (judgment of 23.09.2020, Ref. 1 C 36.19). step-by-step model is applied.
It specifies how identity can be checked even without a passport - taking into account the reasonableness and the objective possibility of obtaining a passport.
Principle: Passport first
Before switching to other forms of proof, an attempt must always first be made to obtain an Afghan passport for Germany.
If this is not possible, the reason must be documented in writing, for example by confirmation from the Afghan diplomatic mission abroad (certificate of identity).
The step-by-step model makes it possible to clarify the identity even if no primary documents are available.
Especially when applying for a passport for Afghanistan and the Naturalization it is crucial to document all attempts to obtain a passport - the more evidence from stages 1 and 2, the faster recognition will be granted.
💡 Tip: If you are unable to obtain a passport, you should immediately apply to the Foreigners' office for a passport application certificate. This shows that an attempt has been made to apply for a passport and prevents legal problems.
Our recommended reading
Naturalization without a national passport
Here you can find out about the Naturalization process without a passport, why Naturalization without a passport is complicated and what the step-by-step model is all about.
Obtaining a passport without vs. with Migrando
😊 Best practice for Afghans
Collect documents
Have the following documents ready: Tazkira, birth certificate and family documents
Save the date
Consulate General Munich or Embassy Berlin (priority)
Get a certificate
Request a certificate from the Foreigners' office to obtain a passport
Document everything
Keep a complete record of appointments, letters and evidence
Use legal advice
In the event of problems or missing documents
Avoid trips home
Only in exceptional cases and with prior notification to the Foreigners' office
Here you will also find all the information you need to apply for a new passport in Germany.
🥳 Migrando
✅ Collect documents
Individual document review, checklists & creation of request letters
✅ Save the date
Preparation with practical experience
✅ Get a certificate
Legally compliant application forms and direct communication with authorities
✅ Document everything
File management & preparation of evidence for official proceedings
✅ Use legal advice
Representation in complex cases, objections & lawsuits
Avoid trips home
Legal assessment of travel risks & development of safe alternative strategies
Check in just 3 minutes whether you meet the requirements and we will support you throughout your entire naturalization process.
FAQ - Afghan Passport Germany & Tazkira
The Tazkira is the most important Afghan proof of identity. It serves as official proof of identity and citizenship and is usually a prerequisite for applying for an Afghan passport in Germany. The Afghan diplomatic missions abroad will not issue a passport without a valid Tazkira.
If you do not have your own Tazkira, you cannot apply for a Tazkira in Germany directly via Afghan missions abroad, as these do not issue Tazkiras, with the exception of missions in Iran. However, you can instruct an authorized person in Afghanistan, such as a relative, to apply for the Tazkira for you at the Population Registration Department (PRD) in Kabul or at a provincial or district office.
As Tazkiras are not issued directly in Germany, ask a person in Afghanistan to apply for the e-Tazkira or paper Tazkira at the Population Registration Department (PRD). Alternatively, you can submit an application with passport photos, proof of identity of a relative, proof of residence, application form and fee via an Afghan mission abroad (e.g. Afghan embassy in Berlin). The Tazkira is issued, collected and notarized in Kabul. This is often a step in the passport application process for Afghanistan in order to obtain an Afghan passport.
Yes, the e-Tazkira (plastic card with chip and photo) has been officially accepted since 2021 and is often a prerequisite for applying for a passport for Afghanistan.
⚠️ Note: e-Tazkiras issued outside the consulates since 2017 may be classified as invalid in some cases - therefore have them checked in advance.
To apply for or renew an Afghan passport in Germany, you will usually need the following documents
- Notarized Tazkira (own or of a close relative)
- Biometric passport photos (white background)
- Copy of the German residence permit
- Completed application form
- Proof of payment of the passport fee
