Your ID card is equipped with a chip. This allows you to use the card online as well. Once you have activated the online ID function by setting a six-digit PIN of your choice, you can use it to verify your identity when accessing government services and other digital offerings available online, such as:

• Apply for BAföG
• Activating a SIM card
• Using services of the German Pension Insurance
• Identifying yourself with PostIdent
• Registering your residence
• Apply for a certificate of residence

If you are applying for a new ID card and are at least 16 years old, you can use the online ID function. You will receive the required PIN (Personal Identification Number), as well as the unlock code and other information, in a sealed envelope directly when you apply for the ID card at the government office.

To identify yourself online, you must set a six-digit PIN of your choice.

• You can change your PIN at any time via the app or at the government office.
• If you forget your PIN, you can set a new one at your local government office.

You can use the PUK (Personal Unlock Key), also known as the unlock code, to bypass a PIN lock after three incorrect entries. However, you can only use the PUK to re-enter the correct PIN. Otherwise, contact your ID issuing authority.

If you are under 16 years of age at the time of application, the online ID function is deactivated. Activation is only possible after your 16th birthday. This is done at the issuing authority free of charge. If your ID card was issued before July 2017, the online ID function may be deactivated because this feature was optional at that time. You can have this function activated at your local authority free of charge.

The online ID card allows you to complete administrative and business services offered digitally online. Online ID verification is possible via a chip in your ID card, provided the online ID function is activated. For citizens who were 16 years of age or older at the time of application, this chip has been activated by default since 2017.

If you are applying for a new ID card and are 16 years of age or older, you can activate the online ID card yourself. You will receive the required PIN and all relevant information by mail in your so-called “PIN letter.” Later, you can replace the PIN with a six-digit PIN of your choice. You can do this when you pick up your ID card, as well as later at the Citizens’ Office or in apps for the online ID card, such as the AusweisApp.

If the Online ID function is not yet activated, you can have it activated at your local Citizens’ Office. You can also reset your PIN at your local Citizens’ Office.

With your online ID, you can, for example:

• apply for BAföG online,
• activate your SIM card online,
• use online services of the German Pension Insurance related to your insurance account, and 
• verify your identity with PostIdent via the PostIdent app.

• You have a German identity card.
• You are at least 16 years old.

You can start using your online ID card as soon as you set a six-digit PIN of your choice. There are several ways to do this:

• You can set a six-digit PIN yourself using the Online ID app or at a citizen service terminal. To do this, you’ll need the one-time PIN from the PIN letter you received when you applied for your ID card.
• Set your own six-digit PIN directly at the Citizens’ Office when you pick up your ID card.

Have you forgotten your PIN or used the PUK number too many times to unlock the PIN?

• If you want to reset your PIN or request a new one later, you can have a new PIN set up free of charge at your local citizen service center.

If you were at least 16 years old when you applied for your new ID card, your online ID card is usually already activated. It becomes ready for use once you set your own six-digit PIN. To do this, follow these steps:

• After applying for a new ID card, you will receive the so-called "PIN letter" by mail.
  • Follow the instructions in the letter to set your self-selected, six-digit PIN for the online ID. You can set the PIN at your local citizens’ office when you pick up your ID, or at any time via apps for the online ID, such as the AusweisApp.

If you wish to reset your PIN or request a new one at a later date, you can have a new PIN set up free of charge at your local citizens’ office.

• If parents apply for an identity card for young children and these children do not reach the age of 16 during the period of validity of the card, the PIN letter does not need to be kept.
• You must report the loss or theft of your identity card to the police or authorities. The online ID function will then be automatically blocked.
• You will receive a blocking password from the authorities, which you can use to block the online function.

There is no deadline.

Once the one-time PIN has been provided, processing takes approximately 5 minutes.

The municipal administrative authority of your city, municipality, or independent municipality is responsible.

• ID card
• AusweisApp and smartphone with NFC (Near Field Communication) capability, or card reader
• Five-digit one-time PIN
• Self-selected six-digit PIN

There are no costs involved.

Cash/EC