eID card for EU citizens and citizens of the European Economic Area Issuance

If you are a citizen of the European Union or a member of the European Economic Area, you can apply for an eID card to identify yourself online.

The eID card is a chip card with which you can prove your identity electronically. With the eID card, you can identify yourself online and, for example, handle administrative procedures or business matters digitally.

You can obtain the German eID card as a citizen of another member state of the European Union as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway (European Economic Area) – regardless of whether you live in Germany or not.

The online ID function of the eID card offers you, as a citizen of these countries, the same electronic function as the German electronic identity card or the electronic residence title in Germany. You can apply for the eID card regardless of whether your home country has an eID system or not.

If you use the eID card, you can decide and control for yourself whether and to whom you transmit personal data digitally.

Please contact the eID authorities. These are usually the citizens' offices.

• ID card (identity card), passport or other valid identity document issued by your home country
• If you are not resident in Germany, other proof of your residency is required. Please ask for the necessary documents from the responsible foreign representation.

If you have moved to Germany and have not yet registered, you must first register with a German registration authority (usually: Bürgeramt). You can ask your registration authority which documents are required for registration.

Forms: no

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: no

Personal appearance required: yes

You are

• at least 16 years old and
• a citizen of another state of the European Union, or
• Citizen of another country of the European Economic Area.

• Contradiction.
  Detailed information on how to file an objection can be found in the notification of your application for the issuance of the eID card.
• Action before the Administrative Court

You can apply for the eID card in person at the Bürgeramt for your place of residence.

• Contact your Citizens' Registration Office and make an appointment if necessary.

If you want to apply for your eID card outside of Germany (from 1 November 2021):

• Contact the Federal Foreign Office and the diplomatic mission in the district where you live.

• Validity of the eID card: 10 years

• Issuance of the eID card: EUR 37.00
• for shipping abroad: respective shipping costs