Government Online Services in Germany: eID, BundID, and ELSTER

In Germany, certain applications, official certificates, and requests to authorities can be completed online. To verify your identity digitally, an electronic residence permit card (elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel, eAT) with an activated eID function can be used. However, the range of available digital services depends on the specific authority, your place of residence, and the procedural requirements of each service.

Express Guide: If you have 2 minutes

You have a residence permit card and PIN: install AusweisApp, check phone compatibility and eID status. eID Setup.
Need to submit an application via BundID: create an account and select a login method with the required trust level. How BundID Works.
Need to submit a tax return: use the separate Mein ELSTER portal. Registration and Login.
Need to contact Jobcenter: use jobcenter.digital or the Jobcenter-App. BA and Jobcenter Online Services.
PIN forgotten or blocked: distinguish between setting a new PIN and unblocking via PUK. Restoring Access.
Before transferring data: verify the service URL and recipient during the eID procedure. Security and Technical Issues.

Electronic Identification (eID) in the Residence Permit Card

The online identification function (Online-Ausweisfunktion, eID) allows you to verify your identity using the chip embedded in your eAT card. Its use is established under § 78 Abs. 5 AufenthG. eID is also supported by the German national identity card (Personalausweis) and the card for EU/EEA citizens (eID-Karte).

To use your eAT digitally, prepare:

An eAT card with an activated Online-Ausweisfunktion.
Your personal six-digit PIN.
The free AusweisApp application.
A compatible smartphone with NFC or a certified USB card reader for your computer.

AusweisApp is available for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Verify supported operating system versions and device compatibility on the official portal. The ability to make contactless mobile payments via Apple Pay or Google Pay does not guarantee that your device can read an eAT: data transmission requirements differ.

According to AusweisApp documentation, documents issued after July 2017 have the online identification function activated automatically. You can check the actual state of your card in the app under “Gerät und Ausweis prüfen” (“Check device and ID card”).

If your original PIN letter (PIN-Brief) contains a five-digit temporary PIN (Transport-PIN, referred to as Einmal-PIN in newer letters), replace it with your personal six-digit PIN via “PIN ändern” (“Change PIN”). If the temporary code has been retained and not yet used, visiting an office in person is not necessary to set your personal PIN.

When operating solely from a smartphone, the mobile app is sufficient. If you use your phone as a card reader for your computer, AusweisApp must be installed on both devices; pairing instructions are detailed in the app FAQ.

Central Federal Account BundID

BundID is the central federal user account for digital administrative public services. It enables you to authenticate across connected portals, transfer stored personal data directly into forms, and receive official notices from authorities.

The account itself does not automatically grant access to all public services. First, select the desired service on the relevant authority’s portal: the authority determines whether BundID is integrated and which authentication method is required.

Login Method	Trust Level	Considerations
Username and password	Basic registration (Basisregistrierung)	Not suitable for all applications; does not allow opening messages requiring a higher trust level.
ELSTER-Zugang	Substantial (substanziell)	Availability depends on the requirements of the specific service.
Online-Ausweis, including eAT	High (hoch)	Reading the card requires AusweisApp, a compatible device, and your PIN.
European digital identity	Depends on specific scheme	Permissible level and usability must be checked for the chosen service.

You can create a BundID using any of these four methods. To use your eAT when submitting applications, add it as a login method to your account. If the account was initially created with a password, new login methods can be added under “Zugänge & Daten” (“Access methods & data”).

Messages, Documents, and Application Status

Authorities can send messages and formal notices directly to your BundID mailbox. The ability to reply, submit supplementary documents, or view the processing status depends on the specific service. According to the ministry, two-way messaging has been rolled out for selected procedures since July 2026; status tracking is likewise not universally available.

If a message cannot be opened

Logging in with a password may not meet the trust level required to view the message. Try logging in using the Online-Ausweis linked to your account. Save important decisions locally: the BundID mailbox does not provide long-term archiving.

Certain services allow guest submissions without creating an account. This is determined by the respective authority; guest access does not provide a BundID mailbox.

Which Services Can Be Handled Online

Authentication methods vary: some public services use BundID, while others permit direct verification via eID. Holding an eAT does not in itself imply that every administrative procedure is accessible online.

Certificate of Good Conduct

The Certificate of Good Conduct (Führungszeugnis) is issued by the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz, BfJ). The official procedure description permits online applications with an eAT, activated eID function and PIN, a compatible smartphone or card reader, and AusweisApp. A fee applies; check the current amount and potential fee waiver conditions prior to payment.

Certificates for personal purposes are dispatched by postal mail to your home address. If requested for presentation to an official authority, it is sent directly to that agency.

Child Benefit

Applications for child benefit (Kindergeld) can be completed online. According to Familienkasse instructions, using BundID enables submission without printing or signing paper forms.

To access Familienkasse eServices, a Familienkasse profile within a BA account and BundID is outlined. For newborn applications, the source notes that the tax identification numbers (Steuer-ID) of both the applicant and the child are required.

Student Financial Support

BAföG Digital facilitates electronic application submission to educational support offices (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung). The procedure description for Hesse outlines using a BundID account and completing the form via an online wizard.

In the higher education scenario described in the source, BAföG generally consists of a combination of a grant and an interest-free loan. Calling the entire support package a “student loan” is therefore inaccurate. Eligibility criteria should be reviewed for your specific case and local authority.

Address Registration

Electronic residence registration (Elektronische Wohnsitzanmeldung) is available for relocations within Germany involving the registration of a primary or sole residence. The step-by-step guide specifies a Personalausweis or eID-Karte with an activated online function, a PIN, and a user account such as BundID for identification.

Verify whether your municipality participates in the digital registration service. If you only hold an eAT, confirm the appropriate registration procedure with your local Meldebehörde: this guide does not cover the scenario with a foreign residence permit card.

Housing Benefit

Submitting housing benefit (Wohngeld) applications online depends on local municipal administration. In the Bavaria example, digital submission is available if the responsible Wohngeldbehörde offers the procedure. The appropriate service is selected according to residential address; various local submission methods apply.

Tax Portal Mein ELSTER

Mein ELSTER is the dedicated tax administration portal for transmitting declarations, forms, and receiving digital tax assessments. ELSTER-Zugang can also serve as an authentication method for BundID.

Identity verification during registration and subsequent logins are distinct phases. The registration instructions describe identity checks via postal mail or online, followed by setting up your access method.

With postal verification, an activation ID (Aktivierungs-ID) is delivered by email, while an activation code (Aktivierungs-Code) arrives in a separate postal letter. Postal delivery may take several days.
Online verification in the step-by-step instructions is described using a Personalausweis and may allow account setup on the same day.
For recurring logins, the documentation lists a certificate file (Zertifikatsdatei), the ElsterSecure mobile app, and a Personalausweis with AusweisApp.
Selecting a certificate generates a file ending in .pfx, protected by a personal password. Both are used together to authenticate.

The official ELSTER help section explicitly confirms authentication using an electronic residence permit (eAT). To log in with your card, ensure you have an activated eID function, your PIN, and AusweisApp. Choose an available login method on the portal; holding an eAT does not guarantee completion of registration on the same day.

BA and Jobcenter Online Services

Different applications are provided for clients of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit, BA) and Jobcenter:

Entity You Are Contacting	Recommended Service
Agentur für Arbeit	BA-mobil: selected BA account features, messages, appointments, and processing information.
Jobcenter	jobcenter.digital and Jobcenter-App: applications, notifications, document uploads, and appointments.

App descriptions are available on the official BA portal. Using Jobcenter online services requires a BA user account.

According to the BA, as of July 1, 2026, Bürgergeld was replaced by Grundsicherungsgeld within the Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende system. Previous terminology may still appear in forms and official notices: prior decisions remain legally valid, and existing forms may continue to be used.

Via Jobcenter online services, users can:

submit applications for continued benefit approval (Weiterbewilligung);
upload supporting documents and report changes, such as adjustments to income;
send inquiries via the mailbox service (Postfachservice);
request approval for temporary absence (Nichterreichbarkeit) when planning travel.

Travel must be approved in advance

Requesting permission online is not equivalent to granted authorization. Jobcenter guidelines require prior consent before leaving your place of residence; simply notifying the agency is insufficient.

If Your PIN Is Forgotten or Blocked

Select the appropriate action based on your scenario:

Situation	Recommended Action
Personal PIN not yet set, 5-digit Einmal-PIN retained	Set a 6-digit PIN via “PIN ändern” in AusweisApp.
Current PIN known, wishing to update it	Use “PIN ändern”, enter the old PIN, and input the new PIN twice.
PIN entered incorrectly twice	The app requires the Card Access Number (CAN) before the next attempt. Do not continue guessing the PIN.
PIN entered incorrectly three times, code known	Unblock the PIN using the 10-digit PUK from the PIN letter (PIN-Brief).
PIN forgotten or original letter unavailable	Contact the competent authority in person to set a new PIN.

The PUK unblocks the card, but does not reset a forgotten PIN. Switching smartphones does not require setting a new PIN: the code is stored on the physical card.

Where to Turn for eAT Assistance

For eAT cards, contact your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). In the Berlin guide, the State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung, LEA) is designated; local citizen centers (Bürgeramt) set PINs for German ID cards (Personalausweis) and EU eID cards (eID-Karte).

Confirm the competent authority and appointment requirements for eAT cards in your municipality.
Attend in person with your card and required identity documents.
Set your personal six-digit PIN on a dedicated PIN update terminal (Änderungsterminal).

In the Berlin example, no fee is charged for setting a PIN. Do not assume identical fee policies apply across all German municipalities.

Security and Technical Issues

Never disclose your PIN to third parties or enter it into regular website input forms. During the eID authentication process, always verify the service provider and requested data fields inside AusweisApp before confirming transmission with your PIN on your device or certified card reader. Online identification is used for both public sector procedures and authorized private sector services.

A .de domain extension alone does not verify government legitimacy. For BundID, always verify the exact URL https://id.bund.de/. Access services through official links on government portals.

If your card fails to read:

Verify device compatibility and check that NFC is enabled.
Remove thick phone cases, ensure the battery is charged, and try disabling power-saving mode.
Hold the card steady against the NFC area. On iPhones, the NFC antenna is located at the top rear edge; Android antenna positions vary by model.
If there is no response, adjust the card’s position in small increments.

If redirection from AusweisApp back to your browser fails, use the default system browser and disable private/incognito browsing. When pairing a computer and smartphone, verify that AusweisApp is installed on both devices and both are connected to the same local network.

Official Assistance

Ausländerbehörde: confirming jurisdiction, PIN assignment procedures, and eID activation for eAT cards; in Berlin: LEA.
AusweisApp Support: device compatibility, card read errors, and technical app troubleshooting.
BundID Support: account creation, authentication methods, and mailbox access issues.
Competent Public Authority: required documents, processing status, and electronic application options for the specific service.

Legal Status and Disclaimer (Rechtsberatung)

Nodia is an informational and community platform. This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute individual legal advice by a qualified professional (Keine Rechtsberatung im Sinne des RDG). Regulations and digital procedures are subject to administrative changes. For questions regarding your personal application, consult the responsible public authority; for tailored guidance, consider the services listed below.

Migration Advisory Centers for Adult Immigrants (MBE) and Youth Migration Services (JMD).
Welfare associations Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, Der Paritätische, and DRK — to locate accredited local advisory centers.
Consumer Advice Centers (Verbraucherzentrale) — for assistance regarding consumer issues.
A licensed attorney specializing in migration or administrative law — in cases of individual legal disputes or formal appeals.

Information Sources

Information verified on October 2, 2026. Regional examples are referenced for BAföG and Wohngeld; available submission methods should always be confirmed with your local competent authority.