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What is the “grey passport” (Reiseausweis für Ausländer)?
It is a German travel document issued under Section § 5 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) and used as a substitute for the passport of the person’s country of origin.
It is granted in exceptional cases where obtaining a national passport is not possible, and it includes the printed wording:
“Reiseausweis für Ausländer” gemäß § 5 Abs. 1 Aufenthaltsverordnung
Who is eligible for the grey passport?
1) Stateless persons (Staatenlose)
People who do not hold a recognized nationality and did not receive the blue passport for stateless persons (§ 28 AufenthV).
2) Foreign nationals who cannot obtain a passport from their home country due to:
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embassy obstruction or refusal to issue a passport for political or security reasons
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lack of an effective embassy or diplomatic representation
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loss of nationality or difficulty proving it
3) People with Duldung or Aufenthaltserlaubnis but without a passport
If travel or proof of identity is necessary, an exceptional application may be submitted.
Note: Issuing the grey passport is not an automatic right. It is a discretionary decision made by the Ausländerbehörde after a detailed assessment of the case.
What is the difference between the grey and the blue passport?
| Feature | Grey passport (grauer Pass) | Blue passport (Blauer Pass) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is issued to | Foreign nationals without a national passport | Recognized refugees under the Geneva Convention (Flüchtlingsschutz) |
| Legal basis | § 5 AufenthV | § 3 Aufenthaltsgesetz + Geneva Convention 1951 |
| Travel possibilities | Limited – not accepted in all countries | Broad – accepted in most countries |
| Validity | Often 2 years (renewed depending on residence status) | Usually 3 years |
| Protection status | Does not provide refugee/asylum protection | Confirms refugee status and protects against forced return |
Can the grey passport be used for travel?
Yes, but under certain conditions:
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Not all countries accept it: you must always confirm that the destination country accepts the “Reiseausweis für Ausländer.” Some countries may refuse entry without a visa.
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A visa is required: most countries require a visa, including other Schengen countries.
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It may not be used to travel to your home country unless you have special permission from the Ausländerbehörde (rare).
How can you apply for it?
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Book an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde
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Submit evidence such as:
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unsuccessful attempts to obtain a passport from your embassy
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proof of legal residence (Duldung / Aufenthaltstitel)
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reasons for travel (study, medical treatment, family visit, etc.)
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Pay the issuance fee: usually between €40–€100, depending on the case
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The passport is typically issued for one or two years and renewed if the preventing circumstances continue.
What happens if you later obtain a passport from your home country?
In that case, the grey passport is usually withdrawn, and you will be required to use the national passport.
This may also negatively affect your residence situation if you hold humanitarian protection or Duldung, because the authorities may assume that the reason for “being unable” to return no longer applies.
Conclusion
The grey passport (Reiseausweis für Ausländer) is an exceptional legal solution in Germany for people who do not have a national passport, enabling international travel or proof of identity. However, it is not a full substitute for the original passport and comes with legal and political restrictions, so it should be used carefully and in consultation with the competent authorities.
— The website’s writers and editors strive to provide accurate information through extensive research and by consulting multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may be unconfirmed. Please consider this content as initial guidance and always consult the competent authorities for confirmed and binding information.
