The episode begins by noting that personal IDs cost citizens nearly 30 euros, but municipalities do not profit from these fees. Instead, the money goes to the Bundesdruckerei, the federal printer responsible for producing the documents. Municipalities actually incur losses because they can only charge citizens a maximum fee set by the federal government, which is lower than the production cost. In 2023, the Bundesdruckerei increased its prices, leading to a four-euro hike per document that was passed on to citizens. The federal government explains this as part of a regular price review, allowing the printer to charge 29.61 euros per ID for citizens under 24. However, municipalities are limited to charging only 27.60 euros, resulting in a 2.01 euro loss per ID. The government argues this is balanced by a mixed calculation where older citizens pay more, but this system collapsed after child passports were abolished on January 1, 2024. Since then, parents must use regular passports or IDs for children, increasing demand for the cheaper personal ID among younger people. This shift undermines the cost-balancing model, leaving cities to absorb the extra costs. Leipzig has publicly refused to pay the Bundesdruckerei's bills, though no other municipality has joined this protest yet. Simon Japs from the German Association of Cities describes Leipzig's move as a risky opportunity that could pressure the federal government. The episode concludes with cities calling for the federal government to take back responsibility for ID production to end the financial disputes.
