Passersatzpapier for refugees from countries without an effective embassy in Berlin

Alternative travel document (Passersatzpapier) for refugees from countries without an effective embassy in Berlin
What is it, when is it issued, and how is it used?

In Germany, all foreign residents are required to present a valid identity document or a valid passport.
However, some refugees—especially from countries without an effective or cooperative embassy in Berlin such as Syria, Eritrea, Somalia, Yemen—cannot obtain a national passport for political, security, or legal reasons.

In such cases, German authorities may issue a temporary document known as:
Passersatzpapier (passport substitute document).
It is different from the Refugee Travel Document (Reiseausweis für Flüchtlinge) and is granted only in limited cases.

When is a Passersatzpapier issued?
It is issued to people who:

• cannot obtain a national passport,

• cannot be issued a refugee travel document (Reiseausweis),

• do not have recognized refugee status but hold another status such as:

  • Duldung (tolerated stay),

  • Aufenthaltserlaubnis on humanitarian grounds without refugee status,

• and whose country has no effective or cooperative embassy in Germany.

Types of Passersatzpapier

• Emergency travel document (Notreisedokument, § 48 AufenthG)

  • issued only for return or voluntary departure,

  • not a free travel document and does not allow entry into other countries.

• Identity substitute / Passersatzpapier for identity clarification

  • used as an identity substitute within Germany,

  • not valid for international travel.

Which authority issues it?

• the local Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde) where the person lives,

• in some cases in coordination with the Bundesdruckerei.

It is not an automatic entitlement. Clear reasons must be provided to prove that obtaining a national passport is impossible.

Required documents:

• current residence permit or Duldung,

• asylum decision (acceptance or rejection) from BAMF,

• proof of attempts to obtain a national passport (e.g., correspondence with the embassy),

• biometric passport photos,

• a written request by the person,

• in some cases: proof of non-cooperation by the embassy of the country of origin.

Possible uses:

• opening a bank account,

• applying for certain vocational courses or studies,

• dealing with authorities (Bürgeramt, Finanzamt, etc.).

But:

• it cannot be used for travel,

• it usually expires after 6 or 12 months,

• it is renewed only if the legal situation remains the same.

Can it be used for international travel?
No. A Passersatzpapier is generally not accepted at airports or international borders as a travel document, except if it is specifically issued for return to the country of origin or for a rare, officially supervised case.

For travel, a refugee needs:

• a Refugee Travel Document (blue passport) if recognized under the Geneva Convention,

• or a valid national passport (if it becomes obtainable later).

Conclusion
A Passersatzpapier is a temporary, internal solution for people who cannot obtain a national passport and do not have full refugee status. It meets the legal need for identity proof in Germany, but it is not equivalent to a passport and does not grant international travel rights.

— The website’s writers and editors aim to provide accurate information through extensive research and multiple sources. However, errors or unconfirmed information may occur. Please treat this as initial guidance and always consult the competent authorities for confirmed information.