Personalausweis mit Online-Ausweisfunktion aktivieren

Do you want to activate the online ID of your ID card? You can do this online using your information from the PIN letter or at your ID card authority.

The online ID card enables you to complete digitally offered administrative and business services online. Online ID is made possible by a chip in your ID card, provided the online ID is activated. For citizens who were 16 years or older when they applied, this chip has been activated by default since 2017.

If you apply for a new ID card and you are 16 years or older, you can activate the online ID card yourself. You will receive the required PIN and all related information by post in your "PIN letter". You can later replace the PIN with a six-digit PIN of your choice. You can do this when you collect your ID card and later at the Citizens' Registration 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 "Bürgeramt". You can also reset your PIN at your local citizens' office.

With your online ID card you can, for example:

• Apply for BAföG online,
• activate your SIM card online,
• use the online services of Deutsche Rentenversicherung for your insurance account and
• carry out identification with PostIdent via the PostIdent app.

• Identity card
• ID card app and NFC-enabled smartphone or card reader
• Self-selected, six-digit PIN

• You have a German identity card.

There are no costs.

If you were at least 16 years old when you applied for your new ID document, your online ID is usually already activated. It is ready for use when you set the six-digit PIN you have chosen yourself. To do this, proceed as follows:

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

If you subsequently want to reset your PIN or apply for a new one, you can have a new PIN set free of charge at your local Citizens' Registration Office.

If the PIN is available, processing takes approx. 5 minutes.

There is no deadline.

• Electronic proof of identity Activation
• Online identification is possible via chip in ID card
• Citizens can complete digitally offered administrative and business services online
• Chip is present in all ID cards
• Online identification is possible with any ID card if the online ID card is activated
• since July 2017, the online ID card has been activated by default in newly issued ID cards
• the online ID card is ready for use by setting the six-digit PIN chosen by the ID card holder themselves
• Activation required for ID cards issued before July 2017, unless done on collection or later
• Activation not possible if the person is under 16 years old
• Online ID cards can be activated at the relevant citizens' office
• Responsible: Citizens' office at the main place of residence