Its legal basis is the “Act on a Card with an Electronic Identification Function for Citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area” (eID-Karte-Gesetz – eIDKG), which came into force on 1 November 2019.

With the eID card you can identify yourself on the internet, at vending machines (i. e. to confirm your age) and the self-service terminals in public authorities - in an easy, quick and secure way.

To do this, you use the electronic identification (eID) function of the eID card. Technical basis for the eID function is the same as it is in the German ID card.

The eID card – some facts

Citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area that are not Germans can apply for an eID card if they are at least 16 years old.

Please note that the eID card for citizens of the EU and the EEA with eID function is intended only for use of digital services. It does not replace the recognized and valid foreign passport or identity card for identification, e. g. when travelling. The eID card therefore can never be used as an official travel document.

The eID card is issued to you for a period of ten years and for a fee of € 37.00.

The validity of your eID card cannot be extended.

Before your eID card expires, you may apply for a new one if you can demonstrate a legitimate interest in having a new one issued.

In Germany, you can apply for an eID card at your local ID issuing authority.

One way to find your local authority is at servicesuche.bund.de

If you are not resident in Germany, you can apply for an eID card outside Germany since 1 November 2021 at the German missions abroad designated by the Federal Foreign Office.

Necessary documents

To apply for your eID card, you need the valid identity document issued by your home country, e.g. a passport or a national identity card.

Your address is also stored in the chip of the eID card. If you live and are registered in Germany, the responsible ID issuing authority knows your address. If you have just moved to Germany, you must register with a German registration office. You can find out which documents are required for registration from your registration office.

If you do not have a residence in Germany, you will need to provide other proof of your residence. You can enquire at the relevant German mission abroad (embassy or consulate) about which documents are required.

The PIN letter for your eID card

When applying for your eID card, you will receive a PIN letter from the authority responsible for your application. The PIN letter contains important information about the eID function of your eID card.

Please keep this letter for future reference. 

In the letter, you will find two concealed areas (scratch fields) containing 

• your one-time PIN, five-digit (or transport PIN),
• your personal unblocking key, ten-digit (PUK)

 This information is for your eyes only. 

You can find detailed information about the PIN letter on this page.

This information is visible on the eID card

Here you can use your eID card

Public or private service providers that wish to make registration procedures easier and more secure for you offer services that can be accessed using the eID.

With your eID card, you can use digital administration services on the administrative portals of the federal and state governments and set up your own user account for the electronic proof of identity.

Some companies, such as mobile telecommunications providers and financial service providers, also offer you the use of the eID.

Examples of digital services that can be accessed using the eID are listed here.