If you are a Dutch national living abroad, you can activate the DigiD app using a one-off check of your passport, driving licence or identity card (ID check). If you can’t do that, you can also activate the app using a verification code sent by SMS. If you already use the DigiD app on one device, you can use that device to activate the app on another device.
To activate the app with an ID check you will need a valid Dutch identity document and a telephone or tablet with an NFC reader. The NFC reader reads information from the chip in your identity document. Consult the manual for your telephone or tablet to find out whether it has an NFC reader.
Compatible mobile phones and tablets
Android smartphone or tablet
with Android OS 7.0 operating system, or later
with an NFC reader
iPhone
model 7 or later
with iOS 13.2 operating system or later
with an NFC reader
A valid Dutch identity document
Your Dutch driving licence. The licence must have been issued after 14 November 2014.
Your Dutch passport or identity card. Please note: has your Dutch passport or identity card been issued by an embassy, consulate, border municipality or the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol desk? In that case the app will ask you to enter some information from your identity document during the ID check. Please keep your passport or identity card to hand.
Step-by-step guide to activating the app with an ID check
Open the DigiD app on your phone or tablet.
Tap ‘Start scan’.
You will be asked if you already use the DigiD app on another device.
Tap ‘No’.
Enter your DigiD username and password, and tap ‘Next’.
Choose and enter a 5-digit PIN.
Confirm your 5-digit PIN.
Have your identity document at hand.
Tap ‘Next’.
Tap ‘Activate NFC’ if prompted. This message will not appear if NFC is already activated.
Tap ‘Start Scan’.
Scan your identity document by holding it against the back of your phone or tablet.
Select ‘Yes’ if you would like to receive alerts from the DigiD app whenever any change is made regarding your DigiD.
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.
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.
If you can’t activate the DigiD app using an ID check, you can instead do so using a verification code sent by SMS (text message). For this you will need DigiD with SMS verification.
How to activate the DigiD app using a verification code sent by SMS:
Choose ‘Activate with SMS’.
A verification code will be sent to your phone by SMS.
Enter the verification code.
Tap ‘Next’.
Select ‘Yes’ if you would like to receive alerts from the DigiD app whenever any change is made regarding your DigiD.
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.
The DigiD app should now be activated.
Don't have the DigiD app yet?
If you don’t already have the DigiD app on your telephone or tablet, you will first need to download it.
Don't have DigiD yet?
You need to have DigiD before you can activate the DigiD app.
