Uruguay’s Passport Controversy in 2025: What Really Changed

In 2025, Uruguay found itself in an unexpected international passport controversy. What began as a technical update intended to modernize the country’s travel documents — and reflect equality between natural-born and naturalized citizens — quickly escalated into a diplomatic problem, especially with France and Germany.

For expats, dual citizens, and newly naturalized Uruguayans, the issue raised a pressing question: Is my passport valid for travel?

Here is a clear breakdown of what changed, why it caused problems abroad, and what you should do if your passport was issued during the affected period.

What Actually Changed in the Uruguayan Passport on April 16, 2025?

According to official information published by the Ministry of the Interior and reported by El País, the new passport format introduced on April 16, 2025, made two key changes:

1. “Nacionalidad” became “Nacionalidad/Ciudadanía,” always showing “URY”
   The field previously labeled “Nacionalidad” was updated to “Nacionalidad/Ciudadanía”, and all citizens — both natural-born (ciudadanos naturales) and naturalized (ciudadanos legales) — now appeared with the code “URY.”
   This created a uniform match between the issuing country and the citizenship code, which was meant to eliminate previous inconsistencies.
2. Removal of “Lugar de nacimiento” (Place of Birth)
   The updated passports removed the place of birth field entirely, with the Ministry noting that this information is not mandatory under the ICAO Doc 9303 standard for machine-readable travel documents.

While these updates were intended to modernize the document and address long-standing issues faced by naturalized citizens, the real-world consequences arrived quickly.

Why Did These Changes Create Problems Abroad?

Although the reform was technically aligned with ICAO standards, it conflicted with how some countries actually process passports in practice.

Shortly after the new version was introduced:

• France and Germany raised concerns about passports without a place of birth, and in several cases did not accept the new passports for visas or entry procedures.
• The removal of “Lugar de nacimiento” made it harder for some authorities to verify identity, background, or nationality under their internal rules.
• This caused practical issues for travelers, especially expats and naturalized Uruguayans.

The situation escalated into a diplomatic issue. According to Montevideo Portal, the Uruguayan government even summoned the French and German ambassadors to address the matter.

The controversy also gained international coverage. BBC Mundo published a widely circulated article explaining the tension between Uruguay’s legal framework for citizenship and international expectations related to identity documents.

Government Reverses Course on July 29, 2025

After continued pressure, growing reports of travel disruptions, and diplomatic conversations with European countries, the Uruguayan government officially reversed the reform on July 29, 2025.

According to reports from El País, Uruguay decided to:

• Reinstate the previous passport format, including the place of birth field
• Replace all passports issued between April 16 and July 29, 2025, free of charge
• Begin offering citizens the option to revert to the earlier version immediately

While the broader conversation about equality between natural and legal citizens remains ongoing, the government acknowledged that practical travel issues required an immediate solution.

Do You Need to Replace Your Passport?

You should replace your passport if:

• It was issued between April 16 and July 29, 2025
• You plan to travel to Europe, especially France or Germany
• You depend on your Uruguayan passport for residency procedures abroad
• You are a naturalized citizen, as your documents are more likely to be scrutinized

Even if you have not experienced any problems yet, replacing your passport:

• Reduces the risk of border delays
• Aligns your document with formats already recognized worldwide
• Ensures full compliance for visas and long-stay permit applications

Replacements issued during this period are free, according to government announcements reported in El País.

What This Means for Expats in Uruguay

For foreign residents, dual citizens, and naturalized Uruguayans, this episode highlights several important points:

1. Uruguay attempted to fix a real inconsistency

Before April 2025, many naturalized citizens had passports that did not fully align with their legal status — a known issue that the reform attempted to address.

2. Even ICAO-compliant changes can cause international friction

As demonstrated, other countries may still reject or question changes if they conflict with their internal immigration protocols.

3. The government responded quickly once real-world problems emerged

By July 29, Uruguay had already reversed the format and launched a free replacement program.

4. If you received a passport during the affected period, take action now

Replacing it ensures smooth travel and avoids complications with visa applications.

Next Steps for Affected Travelers

1. Check your passport’s issue date (“Fecha de expedición”).
2. If it falls between 16/04/2025 and 29/07/2025, schedule an appointment with DNIC to request your free replacement.
3. If you have upcoming international travel, bring proof — you may receive priority processing.
4. Keep an eye on official announcements, as further policy clarifications may follow.