Changing the activation PIN to the personal PIN

As with debit and credit cards, you will receive a letter with your PIN for the eID function after applying for the ID card. It contains an activation PIN, the PUK and a blocking code.

You must replace the five-digit activation PIN (also called transport PIN) by a personal six-digit PIN before you use the eID function for the first time. You can do this with a card reader at home, or at the identity card authority.

To enable the eID function at your computer, connect your card reader and open the software for the eID function.

Then scratch the field “Transport PIN” in your PIN letter and enter the five-digit number. Next, choose your own six-digit PIN number, enter it and confirm the entry by repeating the six-digit number.

You can now use your eID function to identify yourself online or at citizens' terminals. Here you can find information on the businesses and public authorities where you can use your eID function.

Using your PIN, PUK and blocking code

For your security: You should not write down your PIN, PUK or blocking code on the ID card or keep these data together with your ID card.

PIN

You should memorize your PIN because you should be the only person to know it. We do not recommend any combination of numbers that can be easily guessed, so please do not use “123456”, your date of birth or any other figures printed on the ID card.

You can think up a sentence with six words, for example, and memorize it with a suitable image. Your mobile phone display may serve as a model to turn the first letter of each word into a number:
E.g. In summer we were in Mallorca. (Please don't use this sentence!)

You can change your PIN yourself at any time using your smartphone or your own computer. To do this, you need software, for example the AusweisApp2.

You can also change your PIN at a citizen terminal.

At your identity card authority, you can both change your PIN and have it reset if you have forgotten it.

If you enter the wrong PIN twice you must enter the access code for a third attempt. You can find this number on the front of your ID card. If you enter the wrong PIN three times, the eID function will be blocked. It can be unblocked by entering the PUK.

To use the signature function, you need a special signature PIN. You can define your signature PIN when you load a signature certificate on your ID card.

PUK

As with mobile phone cards, the PUK is used to unblock your ID card if you have entered the wrong PIN three times.

Please note that the PUK can be used no more than ten times. After that, the ID card can be unblocked only at the identity card authority by defining a new PIN.

Blocking code

If you lose your ID card you must block it and its functions for your own security.

You can block the eID function at your local government services office or by calling the blocking hotline. It can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at +49 116 116 or, alternatively, +49 30 40 50 40 50 (fees apply).

To be block your card, you need the blocking code you have received in a letter with your PIN after you applied for the ID card. Only you and the identity card authority know the blocking code.

If you also use the signature function with the electronic signature, please note that it can be blocked only by the provider where you purchased your signature certificate.