Activating the DigiD app from abroad using the ID check

If you don’t already have a DigiD you’ll have to apply for one and activate your DigiD account before you can activate the DigiD app.

Identity documents that meet the ID check requirements:

• your valid Dutch driving licence
• your valid Dutch passport or identity card

Don’t have an identity document that meets the requirements?

If you don’t have an identity document that meets the requirements you can’t activate the DigiD app using the ID check. Find out how you can activate the DigiD app using a code sent to you by text message.

To activate the DigiD app using the ID check you need a phone or tablet with an NFC reader. The NFC reader reads information from the chip in your identity document.

The following phones and tablets meet the ID check requirements:

Android smartphones and tablets

• with Android OS 7.0 or higher
• with an NFC reader (check your device’s specifications to find out whether it has an NFC reader).

iPhones

• model 7 or newer
• with iOS 13.2 or higher

Don’t have a device that meets the requirements?

If you don’t have a phone or tablet that meets these requirements you can’t activate the DigiD app using the ID check. Find out how you can activate the DigiD app using a code sent to you by text message.

Watch the instruction video

1.    Open the DigiD app on your phone or tablet. If you don’t already have it, download the DigiD app to your device and then open it.
2.    You’ll see the home screen. Tap ‘Next’.
3.    Enter your DigiD username and password, and tap ‘Next’. Find out what you can do if you forget your username or password.
4.    You’ll now be back at the home screen. Tap ‘Next’.
5.    Enter a 5-digit PIN of your choice. Remember this number because you’ll need it to log in with the DigiD app in the future.
6.    Confirm your 5-digit PIN.
7.    You’ll now be back at the home screen. Tap ‘Next’.
8.    You’ll see a screen with information about the ID check.
9.    If you want to carry out the ID check, tap ‘Start ID check’.
10.    On the next screen, select which Dutch identity document you want to use for the ID check, then tap ‘Start scanning’.
11.    Hold your ID against the back or top of your device. If the scan is successful, you’ll receive the notification ‘ID check completed’. Tap ‘Continue’.
12.    You’ll now be back at the home screen. Tap ‘Next’.
13.    You’ll then be given the choice of whether you want to receive notifications. Indicate your preference and tap ‘Next’.
14.    Then you’ll be asked whether you want to add your email address to your DigiD. Or if you’ve already done that, you’ll be asked to verify whether the email address is still correct.
15.    Your DigiD app should now be activated.

If you activated the DigiD app using the ID check you’ll see a green check mark next to ‘ID check’ in the DigiD app menu.

You can now use the app to log in to all organisations that use DigiD login.

If your Dutch identity document and device meet the requirements but you are unable to activate the DigiD app using the ID check, try these tips:

• Double check that the NFC reader on your phone or tablet is enabled.
• Make sure that you’re carrying out the ID check correctly. Hold your identity document right up to the back of your device. It won’t work if there’s too much space between the NFC reader and the chip in your identity document. Sometimes you may have to move the document around slightly until there’s a connection. See also the instruction video on adding the ID check to the DigiD app.
• If there is a case on your phone or tablet, take the case off and try again. Most devices make a sound when they connect with the chip in the identity document.
• Metal objects (such as a table) can interfere with the NFC reader’s signal. Hold the identity document in your hand or set it somewhere else and try again.
• If you’re using an iPhone, hold the middle of the identity document up to the top of the device.
• If you’re using an Android phone, hold the identity document up to the back of the device.
• For Samsung devices, the NFC reader doesn’t work when the device is in power saving mode. Turn power saving mode off, then close the DigiD app and open it again.
• If you’re using an Apple device, turn off private browsing mode.

If you are still unable to activate the DigiD app using the ID check, find out how you can activate the DigiD app using a code sent to you by text message.

If you are unable to activate the DigiD app using the ID check, find out how you can activate the DigiD app using a code sent to you by text message.

If you only see the option of activating the DigiD app using a code sent to you by text message on your screen, your device doesn’t meet the ID check requirements. You can activate the DigiD app using a code sent to you by text message.

If you’ve already activated the DigiD app on one device and want to use it on another device, open the app on the new device, tap ‘Next’ and then select ‘Log in with another device’. Then follow the instructions on the screen.

Find out how to download the DigiD app.

Username

If you forget your DigiD username you will have to apply for a new DigiD.

Password

If you forget your password you can reset your password at DigiD.nl. You’ll then receive a code by text message and email. However, if the phone number and email address linked to your DigiD are no longer current you will have to apply for a new DigiD.