In principle, people over the age of 16 are required to have an ID card if they do not already have a passport. However, people can be exempted from this obligation under certain circumstances.

Persons can be exempted from the ID card requirement if...

• they are permanently under guardianship (but not by temporary order).
• they are incapable of acting or consenting and are represented by a guardian or a person with a publicly certified (precautionary) power of attorney.
• they are permanently accommodated in a hospital, nursing home or similar facility.
• they are unable to move about alone in public due to a permanent disability.