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Nationals of a Member State of the European Union or of a signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area who are not German within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law will be issued a card with an electronic proof of identity function (eID card) on request.
The eID card is not an identity document in the traditional sense, but enables electronic proof of identity in order to be able to use eGovernment services at the highest level of trust. It can also be used for on-site reading for the purpose of transferring form data between people present without media discontinuity.
As the eID card is designed exclusively for online use and does not serve as an identity document or travel document, the eID card does not contain data such as a photograph, signature, size and eye color. Certain data (such as address and nationality) is only stored on the electronic storage medium (chip).
The eID card can only be issued to applicants aged 16 and over.
It is issued for a period of validity of ten years.
Since May 2, 2025, it has been possible to have the requested eID card sent to the domestic registration address for an additional fee of €15.00 from the 16th birthday. The item may only be handed over to the addressee in person. Further information on direct mailing can be obtained from your eID card authority.
In the Free State of Bavaria, the (residential) municipalities are the responsible eID card authorities. If there is more than one residence, the main residence is to be used as the basis.
If the person is not required to register, the eID card authority in whose district the person lives at the time of the application or the event triggering the official action is responsible.
You can have the PIN of your ID card or eID card reset or activate the online ID function of your ID card.
Visually impaired persons can apply for a transparent sticker with Braille for the back of their ID card, eID card or electronic residence permit from their local authority or immigration office.
You can ask the ID card authority to view the data stored on the chip of your new ID card or your electronic residence permit. You can also display this data on your smartphone.