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Activating the DigiD app outside the Netherlands

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Before you can use the DigiD app, you will need to activate it. How you do this abroad depends on your situation. Select your situation and read what you must do.

Attention: If you do not have a DigiD you will first need to apply for a DigiD and activate your DigiD account. You can then activate the DigiD app.

Choose your situation

If you have activated your DigiD and log in with a username and password, you can activate the DigiD app using an ID check. If you log in with SMS, you can activate using an ID check or SMS verification. When you log in to the app it will automatically show you how to activate the app.

If you already log in to DigiD with just a username and password you can only activate the DigiD app with an ID check. You will need a valid Dutch identity document and a compatible telephone or tablet (with an NFC reader).

A valid Dutch identity document for the ID-check

  • Your valid Dutch driving licence.

  • Your valid 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.

Compatible mobile phones and tablets for the ID-check

Android smartphone or tablet

  • with Android OS 7.0 operating system, or later
  • with an NFC reader

iPhone/iPad

  • model 7 or later
  • with iOS 13.2 operating system or later

Step-by-step guide to activating the DigiD app using an ID check

Attention: You can also watch the video 'Activating DigiD app with the ID check'.
  1. Open the DigiD app on your phone or tablet.
  2. Tap ‘Start scan’.
  3. You will be asked if you already use the DigiD app on another device.
  4. Tap ‘No’.
  5. Enter your DigiD username and password, and tap ‘Next’.
  6. Choose and enter a 5-digit PIN.
  7. Confirm your 5-digit PIN.
  8. Tap ‘Next’.
  9. Tap ‘Activate NFC’ if prompted. This message will not appear if NFC is already activated. 
  10. Tap ‘Start scan’.
  11. Scan your identity document by holding it against the back of your phone or tablet.
  12. Leave the two orange sliders on if you always want to log in via two steps and if you want to receive notifications about changes to your DigiD.
  13. Enter your email address (if it has not already been added to your DigiD account) to also receive emails whenever there’s a change regarding your DigiD. Then enter in the verification code sent to you by email in the DigiD app.
  14. The DigiD app should now be activated.

Don’t forget your PIN. You will need it to log in with the DigiD app in the future.

Attention: If the ID check does not work, apply for a new DigiD. You can continue to use your current DigiD until you have activated the new one.

If you log in to DigiD with SMS verification you can activate the DigiD app with an ID check or by SMS. To activate the app with an ID check you will need a valid Dutch identity document and a compatible telephone or tablet (with an NFC reader).

A valid Dutch identity document for the ID-check

  • Your Dutch driving licence. The licence must have been issued after 14 November 2014.

  • 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.

Compatible mobile phones and tablets for the ID-check

Android smartphone or tablet

  • with Android OS 7.0 operating system, or later
  • with an NFC reader

iPhone/iPad

  • model 7 or later
  • with iOS 13.2 operating system or later

Step-by-step guide to activating the app with an ID check

Attention: You can also watch the video 'Activating DigiD app with the ID check'.
  1. Open the DigiD app on your phone or tablet.
  2. Tap ‘Start scan’.
  3. You will be asked if you already use the DigiD app on another device.
  4. Tap ‘No’.
  5. Enter your DigiD username and password, and tap ‘Next’.
  6. Choose and enter a 5-digit PIN.
  7. Confirm your 5-digit PIN.
  8. Tap ‘Next’.
  9. Tap ‘Activate NFC’ if prompted. This message will not appear if NFC is already activated. 
  10. Tap ‘Start scan’.
  11. Scan your identity document by holding it against the back of your phone or tablet.
  12. Leave the two orange sliders on if you always want to log in using two-step verification and if you want to receive notifications about changes to your DigiD.
  13. Enter your email address (if it has not already been added to your DigiD account) to also receive emails whenever there’s a change regarding your DigiD. Then enter in the verification code sent to you by email in the DigiD app.
  14. The DigiD app should now be activated.

Don’t forget your PIN. You will need it to log in with the DigiD app in the future.

The ID check does not work

If you cannot activate the DigiD app with the ID check, you will be given the option of activating the app with SMS verification. The telephone number you use for the SMS verification must be up to date. Otherwise you will need to apply for a new DigiD.

Step-by-step guide to activating the DigiD app using SMS verification

  1. Choose ‘Activate’.
  2. You will be asked if you already use the DigiD app on another device. Tap ‘No’.
  3. Enter your DigiD username and password, and tap ‘Next’.
  4. Choose and enter a 5-digit PIN.
  5. Confirm your 5-digit PIN.
  6. The app will automatically invite you activate using an SMS. Select this option.
  7. A verification code will be sent to your phone by SMS.
  8. Enter the verification code. 
  9. Leave the two orange sliders on if you always want to log in using two-step verification and if you want to receive notifications about changes to your DigiD.
  10. Enter your email address (if it has not already been added to your DigiD account) to also receive emails whenever there’s a change regarding your DigiD. Then enter in the verification code sent to you by email in the DigiD app.
  11. The DigiD app should now be activated.
Attention: If the telephone number registered for your DigiD is no longer up to date you cannot use SMS verification to activate the DigiD app. You will need to apply for a new DigiD. Your DigiD data will not be lost if you apply for a new DigiD.

If you have activated your DigiD at DigiD.nl and now want to activate the app,  you can do so with an ID check or by SMS. To activate the app with an ID check you will need a valid Dutch identity document and a compatible telephone or tablet (with an NFC reader).

A valid Dutch identity document for the ID-check

  • Your Dutch driving licence. The licence must have been issued after 14 November 2014.

  • 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.

Compatible mobile phones and tablets for the ID-check

Android smartphone or tablet

  • with Android OS 7.0 operating system, or later
  • with an NFC reader

iPhone/iPad

  • model 7 or later
  • with iOS 13.2 operating system or later

Step-by-step guide to activating the app with an ID check

Attention: You can also watch the video 'Activating DigiD app with the ID check'.
  1. Open the DigiD app on your phone or tablet.
  2. Tap ‘Start scan’.
  3. You will be asked if you already use the DigiD app on another device.
  4. Tap ‘No’.
  5. Enter your DigiD username and password, and tap ‘Next’.
  6. Choose and enter a 5-digit PIN.
  7. Confirm your 5-digit PIN.
  8. Tap ‘Next’.
  9. Tap ‘Activate NFC’ if prompted. This message will not appear if NFC is already activated. 
  10. Tap ‘Start scan’.
  11. Scan your identity document by holding it against the back of your phone or tablet.
  12. Leave the two orange sliders on if you always want to log in using two-step verification and if you want to receive notifications about changes to your DigiD.
  13. Enter your email address (if it has not already been added to your DigiD account) to also receive emails whenever there’s a change regarding your DigiD. Then enter in the verification code sent to you by email in the DigiD app.
  14. The DigiD app should now be activated.

Don’t forget your PIN. You will need it to log in with the DigiD app in the future.

The ID check does not work

If you cannot activate the DigiD app with the ID check, you will be given the option of activating the app with SMS verification. The telephone number you use for the SMS verification must be up to date. Otherwise you will need to apply for a new DigiD.

Step-by-step guide to activating the app with SMS verification

  1. Choose ‘Activate’.
  2. You will be asked if you already use the DigiD app on another device. Tap ‘No’.
  3. Enter your DigiD username and password, and tap ‘Next’.
  4. Choose and enter a 5-digit PIN.
  5. Confirm your 5-digit PIN.
  6. The app will automatically invite you activate using an SMS. Select this option.
  7. A verification code will be sent to your phone by SMS.
  8. Enter the verification code. 
  9. Leave the two orange sliders on if you always want to log in using two-step verification and if you want to receive notifications about changes to your DigiD.
  10. Enter your email address (if it has not already been added to your DigiD account) to also receive emails whenever there’s a change regarding your DigiD. Then enter in the verification code sent to you by email in the DigiD app.
  11. The DigiD app should now be activated.
Attention: Is the phone number in your DigiD no longer up to date? Then you cannot activate the DigiD app with SMS verification either. In that case, apply for a new DigiD. Your DigiD data are not lost when you apply for a new DigiD.

Forgot your username or password?

Have you forgotten your DigiD username? Then apply for a new DigiD. Have you forgotten your password? Then you can reset your password via DigiD.nl.

Troubleshooting

If your identity document and device meet the requirements but you’re still unable to activate the DigiD app with 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 'Activating DigiD app with the ID check' (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.

Contact

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

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