electronic proof of identity activation

Do you want to have the online ID card on your ID card activated at a later date? You can do this at your identity card authority. The date from which you can simply activate the online ID card yourself will be announced at www.personalausweisportal.de.

Since 15.07.2017, the identity card has been issued as standard with activated online ID function (also called eID function) to persons aged 16 and over; eID cards can be obtained by EU citizens and nationals of the European Economic Area aged 16 and over with electronic proof of identity function since 01.01.2021. In order to be able to identify oneself online with companies and authorities, an activated eID function and the PIN are required.

If your own PIN has been set but forgotten, or if you have misplaced your PIN letter, or if the online ID function has not yet been activated, you can either

• use the electronic PIN reset and activation service (currently still in a first beta version) or
• contact your ID card or eID card authority.

With the help of the PIN reset service, holders of an ID card or eID card who have a registration address in Germany can reset the PIN of their online ID card themselves. Holders of an ID card with a German registration address can also activate the online ID card themselves. Since eID cards can only ever be applied for from the age of 16 with an activated online ID card, this activation service is only available for the ID card that persons who are not yet required to have an ID card can also possess, but without an activated online ID card, or which may have been issued with a deactivated eID function before July 15, 2017 due to the option available at that time.The PIN reset and activation service is an additional offer; the option of having the online ID card activated or a new PIN set at the ID card or eID card authority continues to exist.

When collecting the ID card, the citizen declares in writing to the ID card authority whether the use of the electronic proof of identity is desired. The identity card authority then switches the electronic proof of identity function on or off.

This decision can be changed at any time during the validity period of the ID card by submitting a written declaration to the ID card authority.

The data stored electronically in the ID card will only be transmitted if
- a service provider has a valid authorization certificate and
- the citizen agrees in advance to the transfer of personal data by entering a secret number (PIN).

Please contact the Citizen's Office at your primary residence.

Please contact the Citizen's Office at your primary residence.

• Identity card

Personal appearance: yes (representation not possible)

Online procedure: possible

Written form: no

Forms: no

The following requirements apply to the person applying:

• You are the holder of an identity card or an eID card.
• When using the PIN reset and activation service:
  • You have a current registered address in Germany.
  • You need a suitable smartphone or reader.
  • AusweisApp2 must be installed.

- German national within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law (GG)
- Registered in the municipality with main residence

You can request the PIN reset letter online.

You receive the letter in person via "POSTIDENT" delivery or pick it up at a post office branch within seven working days. In both cases, you identify yourself with an official and valid identification document (ID card or passport). For security reasons, the letter will then be delivered by mail as "registered mail, hand-delivered" to the registration address in Germany stored in the chip of the ID card or eID card.

You can also contact the identity card or eID card authority.

There are no deadlines for you.

Delivery of the PIN reset letter by "POSTIDENT" to the German registration address. This takes up to seven working days.

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

- Free of charge: Initial activation or deactivation of the electronic proof of identity (eID function) when collecting the ID card
- Free of charge: Initial activation of the electronic proof of identity (eID function) for persons who received their ID card before reaching the age of 16
- 6.00 euros for subsequent activation of the electronic proof of identity (eID function)
- Free of charge: Subsequent deactivation of the electronic proof of identity (eID function)
- Free of charge: Blocking the electronic proof of identity (eID function) in the event of loss
- 6.00 euros for unblocking the electronic proof of identity (eID function, e.g. upon retrieval)
- 6.00 euros for changing the PIN at the identity card authority (e.g. (e.g. forgotten PIN)
- 6.00 Euro for changing PIN in ID card office (e.g. forgotten PIN) and subsequent activation of electronic ID card (eID function)
- 13.00 Euro surcharge for subsequent activation of electronic ID card (eID function) or changing PIN in ID card office (e.g .e.g. PIN forgotten) (outside office hours, at non-authorized authority)
- 6.00 Euro surcharge for subsequent activation of the electronic ID card (eID function) or changing the PIN (e.g. PIN forgotten) or unblocking the electronic ID card (eID function, e.g. upon retrieval) by consular or diplomatic representation abroad
- Any number of times possible free of charge: Independent PIN change (at home)