Public libraries in Berlin – library card, costs, services

This page summarises information from the bodies named here. The providers’ own pages are authoritative; times, prices and conditions may change.

The question

I would like to borrow books, films or e-books in Berlin and go to events at the library. What does the library card cost, what do I need for it, and what can I do without a card?

In short: Berlin’s public libraries form a network, the VÖBB. According to the VÖBB, it includes “more than 80 libraries all over Berlin – including a good dozen mobile libraries and school libraries in three districts” [1]. According to the Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin (ZLB, Central and Regional Library), a ZLB card gives you “access to all media in the network of Berlin’s public libraries (VÖBB)” [3].

Steps

1. Drop in without a card. According to the ZLB (retrieved 06.11.2026), you can “visit the ZLB without a library card, use many of the services on site or attend events” [3]. If you want to take media home, you need a card, according to the source [3].

2. Getting a card – what to bring. According to the ZLB, you can get the card there and “in every other VÖBB library”; you should bring “an identity card or passport with a registration certificate and 10 euros” [3]. For children and young people under 16, the ZLB needs the signature of a parent or guardian and that person’s identity card or passport with an official registration certificate [3]. According to the ZLB and the VÖBB, you can also create a card online [1][3]. If you are entitled to a reduction, bring the proof when you register: according to the ZLB, “submitting it later and refunding the fees” is not possible [3], and according to the VÖBB: “With online registration, grounds for reduction are not taken into account, not even later.” [2]

3. What the card costs. According to the VÖBB fee overview (extract, retrieved 06.11.2026), the following applies to issuing or renewing a card for one year [2]:

• persons aged 18 and over: 10.00 euros
• minors and pupils over 18 (proof with pupil ID “Schülerausweis I”): free of charge
• students, trainees or people in a voluntary service: 5.00 euros
• recipients of unemployment benefit I and of state transfer benefits “with berlinpass or with a benefit notice”: free of charge

According to the ZLB, there is also a free “card for refugees” for people with a residence permit for asylum seekers (Aufenthaltsgestattung) or an accommodation certificate from the initial reception centre; it is valid “for three months” and can be extended by three months [3]. According to the VÖBB, the basis is the terms of use for the public libraries of the State of Berlin [2].

4. What causes further costs. According to the VÖBB, a fulfilled reservation or order request costs “1.00 euro” per item; if the loan period is exceeded, minors and pupils over 18 pay “0.10 euros per item and calendar day”, everyone else “0.25 euros” [2]. “Renewal via our website is free of charge.” [2]

5. Digital services and reading room. According to the ZLB, the card gives you access to “e-books, e-audios, e-papers and e-magazines”, and you can “stream films and music or take courses free of charge” [3]. According to the source, “numerous databases from various subject areas are available free of charge” at the ZLB [3]. With the free reading-room card, according to the ZLB, you can order items from the stacks to the public areas and use the PC workstations [3].

6. Going to events. To the question whether events cost an entrance fee, the ZLB answers: “No, admission to our events is free.” [4] According to the source, some events have a reservation link [4]. The VÖBB announces events from the district libraries on its home page [1].

Next step

Go to a VÖBB library with your identity document and registration certificate or create your card online: https://www.voebb.de/ [1]. Fees at a glance: https://www.voebb.de/aDISWeb_vob/entgelt.html [2]

Sources (in German)