Passport chaos in NRW: Why vacationers now have to pay twice

Passport chaos in NRW: Why vacationers now have to pay twice

The situation around the application for passports in North Rhine-Westphalia is becoming more and more precarious. Numerous citizens of long waiting times are currently affected, which threatens to endanger their vacation plans. Travelers who want to travel outside the EU are particularly affected because they need a valid passport and it often has to be valid for several months. In view of these circumstances, quick action is required.

Especially in the period after the summer holidays, the urgency is evident in showing a valid passport. Many vacation travel destinations require the passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of the departure; These include exotic goals such as Thailand, Egypt and the Dominican Republic. An expired passport could make the entire travel project fail. Since the application for a new passport, the waiting time has been up to eight weeks. But the autumn holidays in NRW are already around the corner. However, the time problem is not only due to the applicants themselves, but also because of the printing company.

passport problem in NRW

The main problem called for Helmut Dedy, the general manager of the German City Day, with regard to a traffic jam in the federal printing company. "It rumbled in the passports and identification points of the cities," he said, adding that the citizens direct their displeasure to the city employees directly about the late passports, although they are not responsible for the delays. The rush to new passes is enormous, and the causes are coupled to the increased applications during the holiday season. Many citizens only now find that their passports have expired or will soon become invalid.

The situation can have dramatic consequences for many travelers. If you need a new passport at short notice, you have little choice. The option of express processing could be the solution. This costs extra, but it can shorten the waiting time due to an additional charge of 32 euros. In this case, passpapers are sent immediately after completion, instead of being collected to the office.

expensive solutions for urgent travelers

For travelers who only want to apply for a pass in the regular procedure and only then want to switch to express processing, it becomes expensive. In any case, you have to pay for both applications because the first application cannot be canceled. "This is hardly conveyable and certainly not citizen -friendly," Dedy criticizes the existing practice. Travelers are faced with the challenge: do I build on luck or do I prefer to invest additional costs in advance?

The question of reimbursement for the first applications is also a hot topic. The Federal Ministry of the Interior has asked Dedy to find a solution here, but whether this will happen in the future remains uncertain. In the meantime, vacationers only have the way through the paid express processing to ensure that they receive their passport in good time before the autumn holidays.

Travelers who are now planning to head for their holiday destinations are urgently advised to act quickly and to ensure that their passports are in good hands in good time. This situation could not only influence the travel schedule, but also harbors potential stress that no vacationer wants to experience.

delays and their effects

All in all, it can be seen that the problems in NRW are due to an inadequate capacity in federal printing when applying for passports. It is therefore advisable to deal with the situation early in order not to endanger your dream vacation. Travel brokers who are in close contact with the citizens recommend an early application to avoid nasty surprises. Every detail counts, especially when it comes to maintaining the anticipation for the next vacation.

background of the passport problem

The current difficulties in applying for passport passes in Germany are not only due to increased demand, but also to the structural challenges that affect the administration and the printing company. In recent years there has been a steady increase in travel movements, especially after the Covid 19 pandemic, when many people catch up on their trips. This has significantly increased the demand for new passports, which has overwhelmed the existing resources of the Bundesdruckerei.

In addition, the Federal Printing has to deal with the technical requirements that affect the pressure and personalization of passports. New security features are added, the processed materials must correspond to the international standards, and this process is time -consuming. According to reports, the Federal Printing has confirmed that it is faced with a production deficit that is caused by the combination of lack of personnel and a sudden flood of applications.

statistics on passport application

A survey by the German City Day showed that the number of applications for passports in 2023 rose by 40 % compared to the previous year. This is particularly remarkable in the months before the summer and autumn holidays when many families travel. In addition, the Federal Foreign Office reported that in the first half of 2024 the average waiting period rose to a new passport to up to eight weeks, which is a significant burden for travelers. The increase in applications coincides with the challenging situation in the printers that are unable to operate the increased demand in a timely manner.

In addition, statistics show that about 60 % of Germans need a passport for international trips, with the most common travel destinations outside the EU. These figures illustrate the urgency for many travelers to apply for a valid passport in good time before the start of the trip.

reactions and solutions

The reactions to the current situation are diverse. Politicians in North Rhine-Westphalia have already discussed the first measures to shorten the processing times. This includes suggestions for increasing resources in the responsible authorities and better coordination with the Federal Printing in order to identify and remedy bottlenecks in good time.

experts also recommend that travelers find out about the necessary documents at an early stage and make their applications as soon as possible to avoid additional fees for express processing. Some cities in North Rhine-Westphalia have already started offering additional consultation hours and online services to facilitate the application process and reduce the queues.