Administrative services A-Z

As a German citizen, you are required to have an identity card from the age of 16. You must report the loss of your identity card immediately to a citizens' registration office or to the police. If you do not do this, you are acting irregularly. When you report it to the Citizen's Advice Bureau, you can apply for a new identity card at the same time.
When you report the loss, the online ID card function is also blocked. This ensures that any attempt at misuse is detected immediately. After the blocking, it is neither possible to use the online ID function of your ID card nor to have its data read out from your smartphone (Smart-eID).
You can only have the signature function blocked by the provider of your signature certificate.
After notification, you can apply for a new identity card. If you have a valid passport, you do not need to apply for a new ID card.

• Your identity card has been lost

You do not need to submit any documentation.

You will not incur any costs as a result of the notification.

Report the loss to a Citizens Advice Bureau or the police.

You must report the loss immediately.

local identity card authority

Service hotline for the ID card and the online ID function

Phone +49 1801 333333

E-mail eID_buergerservice@bmi.bund.de

Opening hours

Mon 08:00 - 17:00

Tue 08:00 - 17:00

Wed 08:00 - 17:00

Thu 08:00 - 17:00

Fri 08:00 - 17:00

• § Section 27(1)(3) of the Identity Card Act (PAuswG)

• Information on the new ID card on the ID card portal of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs (BMI)
• Information on the loss or theft of an ID card on the ID card portal of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs (BMI)

Federal Ministry of the Interior, for Building and Home Affairs