If your identity card is stolen, you must report this.

You can report the loss of your identity card either to an identity card authority or to the police.

If you do not have any other valid passport document and are over 16 years of age, you must apply for a new identity card.

Online function of the identity card

All identity cards have electronic proof of identity (online ID). The online ID function is automatically activated for all identity cards issued from July 2017 onwards to persons over the age of 16. If you have set a six-digit PIN of your choice, you can use it to identify yourself to authorities and companies for online services requiring a high level of trust. You may use the online ID after your 16th birthday.

When you apply for your identity card, the prints of both your index fingers will be stored on a chip in the card. Children under the age of 6 are exempt from this regulation. 

• Your ID card has been stolen. .

If you want to report the theft of your identity card:

• Report the theft to an identity card authority, usually the local government office, or to the police. You can report the theft in person. Many local authorities also offer a digital option for reporting theft.

If you want to apply for a new identity card after theft.

• Make an appointment at your local citizens' office. If you are not applying for your identity card at your main place of residence, you will need a valid reason and will have to pay a surcharge on the fee.
• Bring the necessary documents with you.
• You pay the fee.
• Your fingerprints will be stored in the chip of the ID document and taken on site for this purpose.
• You will immediately receive a new one-time PIN to activate the online ID function on your newly applied-for identity card. You decide when you want to use this option.
• Your local government office will inform you when you can pick up your ID card when you apply.
  • Alternatively, in many cases, you can have the ID document sent by mail to your home address and delivered personally to your door if you are over 16 years of age. 

In the event of theft or loss, you can also block the online function of your ID card yourself by calling the blocking hotline. You will need to have your blocking password ready, which was provided to you with the one-time PIN.

You must apply for a new identity card as soon as possible after theft, unless you have another valid identity document.

• Validity period 6 years
  Validity period of your identity card if you apply for it before the age of 24
• Validity period 10 years
  Validity period of your identity card if you apply for it at the age of 24 or older

Once you have submitted your application, it usually takes at least two weeks before you can collect your identity card from the citizens' office.

• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
• if available and not yet invalidated: passport
• If no valid passport is available: birth certificate or marriage certificate
• if available: police report of loss
• For children under 16 years of age: declaration of consent from the absent parent with custody, if applicable
  • if there is only one legal guardian, proof of custody
• If available: valid or expired child's passport
  •  

A reduction or exemption from fees is possible under certain conditions.

• Fee: EUR 15.00
• Fee: EUR 10.
  00 for the temporary identity card
• Fee: EUR 27.
  60 for applicants under the age of 24
• Fee: EUR 6.
  00 Fee for passport photo if the authority uses the PointID photo system from Bundesdruckerei GmbH. If the authority uses photo systems from other manufacturers, the fee may vary.
• Fee: EUR 46.
  00 for applicants aged 24 and over
• Fee: EUR 13.
  00 surcharge on the fee for applications submitted outside office hours or not at the main place of residence
• Fee: EUR 30.
  00 surcharge on the fee for issuance by a consular or diplomatic mission abroad