Retroactively activate online ID card function

If you want to activate your online ID card function at a later date, you can apply for this online or at the ID card authority.

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

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

• use the electronic PIN reset and activation service (see under "Procedure") 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 registered 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. As eID cards can only be applied for from the age of 16 with an activated online ID card, this activation service is only available for ID cards that can also be held by people who are not yet required to have an ID card, albeit without an activated online ID card, or which may have been issued before 15.07.2017 with the eID function deactivated due to the option available at that time.

A visit to the identity card authority is therefore no longer necessary.

If necessary, please contact your identity card authority.

Please contact your identity card authority.

Identity card

• 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.

You can request the PIN reset letter online. This letter contains a new PIN for the online-ID card, an activation code and a QR code for automatic activation..

You receive the letter in person via "POSTIDENT" delivery or pick it up at a post office 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.

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

You can reset your PIN or activate the online ID function free of charge.

The PIN reset and activation service is an additional offer; the option of having the online ID card activated at the ID card or eID card authority or having a new PIN set there continues to exist.