The German National Identity Card

Germany's national ID card is among the world's most advanced identification documents. With it you can prove your identity in everyday life, for example at the Bürgeramt (local ID issuing authority), at banks or at hotel receptions. You provide your ID card and the other person recognises you on the basis of your photo.

Things are different online: when you visit a website, the provider is not standing right in front of you. But there is still a way of proving your identity.

To do this, you use the electronic identification (eID) function of your German ID card.

The electronic identification process is possible through the electronic memory device (the chip) which is in your ID card. You can get administrative procedures and business matters done online using your eID – in an easy, quick and secure way.