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Adding an ID check to the DigiD app

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If you live abroad and use the DigiD app you can add an ID check to it. The ID check is a one-off verification of your Dutch identity document and it’s used to confirm your identity. Find out how to add an ID check.

Attention: The information on this page is intended for people who have already activated their DigiD app. If you still need to do that, find out how to activate the DigiD app.

What do you need for the ID-check?

To add the ID check you need a Dutch identity document that meets certain requirements and a phone or tablet with an NFC reader. The NFC reader reads information from the chip in your identity document.

  • Your Dutch driving licence (must have been issued after 14 November 2014), or
  • Your Dutch passport or identity card (must have been issued after 14 November 2014).
Attention: Has your Dutch passport or identity card been issued at an embassy, consulate general, border municipality or the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol desk? In that case you can only do the ID check with a passport that was issued before 30 August 2021 or an identity card that was issued before 1 August 2021.

Android smartphone or tablet:

  • Android OS 7.0 or higher,
  • an activated DigiD app, and
  • an NFC reader (to find out whether your device has an NFC reader see the manual).

iPhone

  • model 7 or later

  • iOS 13.2 operating system, or later

  • activated DigiD app

Step-by-step plan for adding an ID check

  1. Open the DigiD app on your phone or tablet.
  2. Enter your PIN.
  3. Tap the menu icon in the top left of the screen.
  4. Tap ‘ID check’.
  5. Tap ‘Continue’.
  6. Tap ‘Activate NFC’ if prompted (this message will not appear if NFC is already activated).
  7. Tap ‘Start scan’.
  8. Scan your identity document by holding it against the back of your phone or tablet.
  9. The ID check has now been added.

After adding an ID check

Once you’ve added the ID check you’ll see a green check mark next to ‘ID check’ in the DigiD app menu.

You can now log in to all organisations that use DigiD login. You can also log in to government organisations in other European countries that recognise European forms of electronic identification (eID).

Troubleshooting

If your identity document and device meet the requirements but you’re still unable to add an 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 NRC 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 an ID check to the DigiD app (in Dutch).
  • If there is a cover on your phone or tablet, remove it and try again. Most devices make a sound when they connect with the chip in the identity document.
  • It’s possible that a metal object such as a table could be interfering with the signal from the NFC reader. 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 phone is in power saving mode. Turn power saving mode off, then close and re-open the DigiD app.
  • If you’re using an Apple device, turn off private browsing mode.

If you don’t have one of the required Dutch identity documents, you can’t add an ID check to the DigiD app. You may still be able to log in to an organisation that requires ID check if you have a recognised form of electronic identification (eID) from another European country.

Attention: Even without the ID check you can still use the DigiD app to log in to most organisations that use  DigiD login. Without the ID check, however, you can’t access or change additional sensitive personal data, such as information about your health.

Logging in with a recognised eID from another European country

If you have a recognised form of eID from another European country you may be able to use it to log in to organisations that require the ID check.

Recognised forms of eID by country

What to do if you don’t have an eID from another European country

If you don’t have a recognised form of eID from another European country but still want to log in to an organisation that requires the ID check, contact the organisation to find out what other ways you can access or change your data.

If you don’t have a phone or tablet that meets the requirements for an ID check, you can use someone else’s device. Download the CheckID app on that device. Use the CheckID app to establish a secure connection and add the ID check to your DigiD app.

What you need:

  • An activated DigiD app on your own device.
  • One of the required Dutch identity documents (your own).
  • A phone or tablet from someone else that meets the requirements for the CheckID app. Download the CheckID app for Android or iOS to this device.

Identity document required for the ID check

  • Your Dutch driving licence (must have been issued after 14 November 2014), or
  • Your Dutch passport or identity card.
Attention: Has your Dutch passport or identity card been issued at an embassy, consulate general, border municipality or the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol desk? In that case you can only do the ID check with a passport that was issued before 30 August 2021 or an identity card that was issued before 1 August 2021.

Devices that meet the requirements for the CheckID app

Android smartphone or tablet:

  • Android OS 6.0 or higher, with an NFC reader

iPhone:

  • model 7 or newer
  • iOS 13.0 operating system, or later

Step-by-step plan for adding an ID check using the CheckID app

  1. The person helping you must download the CheckID app for Android or iOS on their device.
  2. Open the DigiD app on your own device and enter your PIN.
  3. Have the person helping you open the CheckID app.
  4. Tap ‘Get verification code’ in your DigiD app.
  5. A verification code will appear in your DigiD app. Enter this code in the CheckID app.
  6. Use the DigiD app to scan the QR code that appears in the CheckID app.
  7. Confirm in the DigiD app that you want to carry out a one-time ID check.
  8. Enter your DigiD app PIN.
  9. Hold your identity document against the back of the device with the CheckID app and tap ‘Start scan’.

The CheckID app will establish a secure connection with DigiD and will add the ID check to your DigiD app.

Attention: The person helping you does not have to log in with their DigiD themselves. No information will be saved to the device.

After adding an ID check

Once you’ve added the ID check you’ll see a green check mark next to ‘ID check’ in the DigiD app menu.

You can now log in to all organisations that use DigiD login. You can also log in to government organisations in other European countries that recognise European forms of electronic identification (eID).

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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