Activate electronic proof of identity

Do you want to have the online ID of your ID card activated retrospectively? You can do this at your local ID card office.

The online ID card enables you to complete digitally offered administrative and business services online. Online ID is made possible by a chip in your ID card, provided the online ID is activated. Since 2017, this chip has been activated by default in ID cards for citizens who were older than 16 when they applied.

If you apply for a new ID card and you are older than 16, you can simply activate the online ID card yourself by setting your own six-digit PIN. You will receive all the necessary information by post in your PIN letter. You can set your self-selected, six-digit PIN when you collect your ID card and later at the Citizens' Registration Office or in apps for the online ID card, for example the "AusweisApp".

You can also have your online ID card activated free of charge at your local authority's citizen service and set your new PIN.

This is the responsibility of the identity card authority (mayor or lord mayor) or the citizens' office in your place of residence.

• Identity card

You are in possession of a German identity card.

If you were at least 16 years old when you applied for your new ID card, your online ID card is usually already activated. It is ready for use by setting the six-digit PIN you have chosen yourself. To do this, proceed as follows:

• After applying for a new ID card, you will receive the so-called "PIN letter" by post.
• Follow the instructions in the letter and set your individual PIN for the online ID card. You can set the PIN directly at your local citizens' office when you collect your ID card or at any time using apps for the online ID card, for example the AusweisApp2.

If you want to have the online ID function activated at a later date, you can have this done free of charge at the Citizens' Registration Office.

There are no deadlines for you.

Activating the online ID card does not incur any costs for you.

Information about the ID card and the online ID card can be found on the website of the ID card portal (Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs).