Step 1: Apply for a DigiD
- Your valid identity document (passport or identity card)
- Your citizen service number (BSN). Read where you can find your BSN. If you do not have a BSN, find out how to get one.
- A phone on which you can receive text messages (SMS)
- An email address
After you apply for a DigiD, you will receive a collection code via text message and email. The collection code is valid for 30 days. You will need it for step 2.
Step 2: Activate your DigiD
To activate your DigiD, you need an activation code. Choose how you want to receive the activation code:
- The collection code that you received by text message and email after your applied for your DigiD. The collection code is made up of 9 digits and starts with a ‘B’. It is valid for 30 days. If your collection code has expired, apply again for a DigiD via DigiD.nl (Step 1).
- Your DigiD username and password. If you’ve forgotten your DigiD username and/or password, apply again for a DigiD via DigiD.nl (Step 1).
- Your valid identity document (passport or identity card)
- Your Dutch citizen service number (BSN), if it is not shown in your passport or on your identity card. Read where you can find your BSN.
- The phone linked to the number you gave in your DigiD application (Step 1). During your appointment you’ll receive a text message with your activation code on this number.
During the appointment you’ll receive a text message and an email with an activation code. The activation code is made up of 9 digits and starts with an ‘A’.
You will use the activation code to activate your DigiD. There are two ways to do this: via the DigiD website or the DigiD app. The advantage of using the app is that you can activate your DigiD and the DigiD app at the same time.
Find out how to activate your DigiD
After activating your DigiD, you can start using it. How you log in will depend on how you activated your DigiD.
If you activated your DigiD via the DigiD website
If you activated your DigiD via the DigiD website, you will log in using your username and password and a code you receive by text message.
Find out how to log in via the DigiD website with SMS verification
If you activated your DigiD via the DigiD app
If you activated your DigiD via the DigiD app, you will log in via the DigiD app using a PIN. Depending on the type of phone you have, you may be able to log in using facial recognition or your fingerprint.
Find out how to log in via the DigiD app
Step 3: Activate the DigiD app
If you haven’t yet activated the DigiD app, first download it to your phone or tablet.
Find out how to download the DigiD app
Then open the DigiD app and follow the steps on the screen. The DigiD app will guide you through the activation process. Depending on your situation, you can use the ID check or a code sent by text message to activate the app.
If you want to activate the DigiD app using the ID check, you will need a Dutch identity document that meets certain requirements and a phone or tablet with an NFC reader.
Read how to activate the DigiD app using the ID check
After activating the DigiD app
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.
Using your DigiD to log in to government organisations in other European countries
You can only use your DigiD to log in to government and other organisations in other European countries if you have activated the DigiD app using the ID check. Some organisations also require you to activate your ID card’s login feature.
Read more about using DigiD to log in to organisations in other European countries
Read more about using an identity document to log in from abroad
If your phone number is already linked to your DigiD, you can activate the DigiD app using a code sent to you by text message.
Read how to activate the DigiD app using a code sent to you by text message
After activating the DigiD app
After activating the DigiD app you can use it to log in to nearly all Dutch government organisations, including the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) and the Social Insurance Bank (SVB).
Adding ID check (if possible)
If you activated the DigiD app using a code sent by text message and you have a Dutch identity document that meets the requirements, you can add the ID check to the DigiD app. You will then also be able to log in to your healthcare provider’s website or app to check your medical records, for example.
Find out how to add the ID check to the DigiD app
Using your DigiD to log in to government organisations in other European countries
You can only use your DigiD to log in to government and other organisations in other European countries if you have activated the DigiD app using the ID check. Some organisations also require you to activate your ID card’s login feature.
Read more about using DigiD to log in to organisations in other European countries
Read more about using an identity document to log in from abroad