German Government Reintroduces Free PIN Reset Service for Electronic ID Cards
The German Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernisation has announced the reinstatement of a free PIN reset service for holders of the electronic national ID card (E-Perso). This initiative is designed to simplify access to digital government services by enabling citizens to reset or activate the PIN required for the online identification function without visiting a local administrative office.
The PIN reset service will be relaunched in the second half of 2026. The move coincides with the upcoming launch of the German EUDI-Wallet, a digital identification solution that will allow citizens to store official credentials securely on their devices. The PIN reset service is seen as a critical support mechanism for boosting adoption of the EUDI-Wallet, as users must know or reset their PIN to integrate their identification data into the wallet application.
With the reinstated service, users can request a new PIN and activation code via an online procedure using their physical ID card. The codes will be delivered securely through the Postident verification process, ensuring that only the legitimate cardholder receives the information. This eliminates the need for in-person visits to local offices, which has traditionally been a barrier to accessing digital identity services.
Recent survey data indicates that a significant portion of the population faces challenges with the online function of their ID cards. While 21 percent of citizens have activated the online feature, many do not remember their PIN, and more than half have not enabled the function at all. Forgotten or misplaced PINs have been identified as a primary obstacle to the broader use of the electronic ID's digital capabilities.
The PIN reset service was initially launched in February 2022 and experienced high demand, surpassing expectations. During its initial run, approximately two million PIN letters were dispatched to users. However, the service was suspended at the end of 2023 due to budgetary constraints, with the government citing limited available funds. Each reset cost taxpayers about 14.29 euros, and 40 percent of the dispatched PIN letters were not used to complete the activation process.
Efforts to introduce a paid version of the PIN reset service, which would have required users to pay a fee of 14 euros, were halted after the Bundesrat intervened. Policymakers were concerned that charging for the service would discourage digital adoption and push citizens to visit local offices, where PIN changes remain free of charge. The consensus among government bodies was that a taxpayer-funded, free PIN reset service is essential for advancing digitalization in public administration.
Experts highlight the importance of the PIN reset service in supporting the successful rollout of the EUDI-Wallet. The wallet application, set to launch in early 2027, will require users to authenticate themselves using their E-Perso PIN to transfer their identity data. Ensuring easy access to PIN reset options is therefore seen as vital for encouraging more citizens to use digital ID solutions.
The Ministry is also exploring the possibility of implementing a fully digital PIN reset process that would not require the delivery of a physical letter. Achieving this would necessitate a secure digital identification procedure that meets the highest security standards in line with the eIDAS regulation. The development of such a process would further streamline access to digital identity functions for German citizens.
The return of the free PIN reset service marks a significant step in Germany's efforts to promote digitalization and improve access to secure, state-backed identification solutions. By removing barriers associated with forgotten or lost PINs, the initiative aims to facilitate a wider uptake of digital public services and prepare the ground for the forthcoming EUDI-Wallet.