eID-Karte als europäische Bürgerin oder europäischer Bürger beantragen

If you are a citizen of the European Union or belong to the European Economic Area, you can apply for an eID card to identify yourself online.

The eID card is a chip card that you can use to prove your identity electronically. With the eID card, you can identify yourself online and, for example, deal with public authorities or business transactions digitally.

You can obtain the German eID card as a citizen of another member state of the European Union as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway (European Economic Area) - regardless of whether you live in Germany or not.

The online ID function of the eID card offers you, as a citizen of these countries, the same electronic function as the German electronic ID card or the electronic residence permit in Germany. You can apply for the eID card regardless of whether your home country has an eID system or not.

If you use the eID card, you can decide for yourself and control whether and to whom you transmit personal data digitally.

• ID card (identity card), passport or another valid identity document issued by your home country
• If you are not resident in Germany, other proof of residence is required. You can obtain the necessary documents from the relevant diplomatic mission abroad.

If you have moved to Germany and have not yet registered, you must first register with a German registration office (usually: Bürgeramt). You can find out which documents are required for registration from your registration office.

You are

• at least 16 years old and
• a citizen of another state of the European Union or
• a citizen of another state of the European Economic Area.

• Issuing the eID card: EUR 37.00
• for shipping abroad: respective shipping costs

You can apply for the eID card in person at the Citizens' Registration Office for your place of residence.

• Contact your local citizens' office and make an appointment if necessary.

If you want to apply for your eID card outside of Germany (from November 1, 2021):

• Contact the Federal Foreign Office and the diplomatic mission abroad in the district where you live.

• Validity of the eID card: 10 years

The eID card has an electronic storage and processing medium (chip) on which the following data is stored:
1. family name and maiden name,
2. first names,
3. doctorate,
4. date and place of birth
5. address; if the cardholder has no residence in Germany, the information "no residence in Germany" can be entered,
6. nationality,
7. religious name, stage name,
8.type of document and
9.last day of validity.

The eID card does not contain a photograph or fingerprints.

• Objection.
  Detailed information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification of your application for an eID card.
• Appeal to the administrative court

• eID card for EU citizens and nationals of the European Economic Area Issue

• Chip card for electronic proof of identity, e.g. for digital visits to public authorities or digital services offered by private providers

• for citizens

  • from the age of 16
  • from EU member states (except Germany) or
  • from countries of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)

• No place of residence in Germany required

• Online ID function corresponds to that of the German ID card or electronic residence permit

• Responsible in Germany: eID authorities of the federal states (usually: citizens' offices)

• Responsible abroad (from November 1, 2021): the foreign missions of the Federal Republic of Germany designated by the Federal Foreign Office

Authorities, independent municipalities, independent cities and large cities belonging to districts

eID card authorities
Passport and identity card authorities

Forms: no

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: no

Personal appearance required: yes