How to apply for a DigiD from abroad as an AOW pensioner
If you live outside the Netherlands and receive an AOW pension, or have received a letter about the first payment of your AOW pension, you can apply for a DigiD via the Social Insurance Bank (SVB). Find out below how this works.
Step 1: Apply for a DigiD via the SVB
- Your citizen service number (BSN). Read where you can find your BSN. If you do not have a BSN, read how to get a BSN via the SVB.
- A phone on which you can receive text messages (SMS)
- An email address
After applying for a DigiD via the SVB, you will receive a letter containing your activation code. The activation code is valid for 45 days. You will need it for step 2.
Step 2: Activate your DigiD
Activate your DigiD using the activation code that you received by post from the SVB.
- Your DigiD username and password. If you’ve forgotten your DigiD username and/or password, apply again for a DigiD via the SVB (Step 1).
- The activation code in the letter from the SVB. The activation code is valid for 45 days. If your activation code has expired, apply again for a DigiD via the SVB (Step 1).
After activating your DigiD, you can start using it. You can log in using your username and password and a code you receive by text message.
Activate the DigiD app
After activating your DigiD, you can also activate the DigiD app on your phone or tablet (Step 3).
Step 3: Activate the DigiD app
To start using 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