Is there a penalty for surrendering an Indian passport late in Germany?

The Embassy in Berlin charges EUR 196 instead of EUR 82 if you surrender more than 3 years after naturalization. Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg publish a flat EUR 37.

What if I travelled on my Indian passport after becoming German?

That's an offence under the Passport Act 1967 and can lead to penalties. Get your case reviewed before you submit the surrender application.

Late Indian passport surrender in Germany: fees and risks

Updated 2026-10-21, checked against official Embassy and Consulate sources.

If you live in Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt or Thuringia, the Embassy of India in Berlin charges EUR 82 to surrender your Indian passport within 3 years of becoming German, and EUR 196 after that. The Consulates in Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg publish a flat EUR 37. Wherever you live, file as soon as possible: using the passport after naturalization is an offence.

What it costs by mission

Embassy Berlin: EUR 82 within 3 years, EUR 196 after (a EUR 3 consular surcharge may apply)
Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg: EUR 37, with no published late tier

The real risk isn't the fee

Holding, renewing or travelling on an Indian passport after you've become German is an offence under the Passport Act 1967. If you've already travelled on it, get your case reviewed before you submit, and be accurate on the form.

If German authorities kept your Indian passport during naturalization, you'll need their handover receipt or the mission's Declaration form instead of the original.

What to do now

Check which mission covers your Bundesland
Find your naturalization date on your Einbürgerungsurkunde to see which Berlin fee tier applies
Gather your documents and file the surrender, then apply for OCI

Frequently asked questions

Is there a penalty for surrendering an Indian passport late in Germany?: The Embassy in Berlin charges EUR 196 instead of EUR 82 if you surrender more than 3 years after naturalization. Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg publish a flat EUR 37.
What if I travelled on my Indian passport after becoming German?: That's an offence under the Passport Act 1967 and can lead to penalties. Get your case reviewed before you submit the surrender application.