What is DigiD?
DigiD stands for Digital Identity. With a DigiD users can access a great number of online services offered by Dutch government agencies. An up to date list of participating agencies can be consulted under the section burger / wie doen mee? (citizen / who's joining up?).
How to apply for a DigiD
DigiD is only available to people who are registered in a Dutch municipality (Dutch: gemeente) and have a burgerservicenummer. Unfortunately DigiD is only available in Dutch at the moment.
Please follow these steps to apply for a DigiD:
- Go to 'Aanvragen' (apply)
- Fill in your personal information and agree to the conditions (gebruiksvoorwaarden). In specific:
- Burgerservicenummer
- Date of birth (Geboortedatum)
- ZIP-code (Postcode)
- House number (Huisnummer)
- House number additional information (if applicable) (Huisnummertoevoeging)
- E-mail address
- Confirm e-mail address (herhalen)
- Accept terms by clicking on the box
- Click "Verder" (next)
- Choose username and password and remember them:
- Username (Gebruikersnaam): at least 4 characters long, may contain underscores and/or hyphens
- Password (Wachtwoord): at least 8 characters long, must contain one or more digits
- Repeat password (Herhaal wachtwoord)
- Click "Aanvragen" (request)
- SMS authentication. Optional step that you can skip by clicking "Overslaan" (skip). SMS authentication is required to get access to some online services.
- Mobile number (without any spaces)
- Click "Verder" (next)
- Enter the validation code you just received by SMS in the "Vul hier de code uit uw sms in"
- Click "Verder" (next)
- Successful application
- You will reveive an activation code within 5 days by mail to your registered address. You need to activate your DigiD in less than 20 days.
How to activate your DigiD
You've received a letter from DigiD with your activation code.
- Click on "Activeren" (activate)
- Enter your username (Gebruikersnaam)
- Enter your password (Wachtwoord)
- Enter the activation code (Activeringscode)
- Enter the transactiecode you just received through an sms (only if you have applied for text message validation)
- Click "Activeren" (activate)
Your DigiD has been successfully activated!
How to use your DigiD
Imagine submitting an electronic application for a permit through your local authority's website. A DigiD login screen will appear, asking for your username and password. If the data is correct, you will be able to proceed in the process. Similarly and using the very same login code, you can access electronic services from other government agencies too. This is the great advantage of DigiD: obtaining access to an increasing range of services yet only requiring a single login code.
Levels of authentication
DigiD offers the opportunity to identify yourself online, using a username and password. This is a 'basic' security level, but in certain instances government agencies require a medium level of authentication.
Authentication by SMS is a medium level form of authentication. In addition to your DigiD username and password, you will also need a transaction code. DigiD sends this transaction code by SMS to your mobile phone when you log in. Depending on the internet service you are using, the government agency will request a basic or medium level of authentication.
Protect your data
In brief, DigiD does everything in its power to make the services as reliable as possible. Over and above this you can contribute yourself by staying vigilant keeping your personal details safe and your DigiD strictly personal. DigiD's organisation or employees will never prompt you to reveal a user name, password, or activation or transaction code. Not by way of e-mail, phone or any other means of communication. Never make these personal details available to others.
For more information
DigiD helpdesk: info@digid.nl
Domestic calls: 0800 - 023 0435 (Monday-Friday, 8am-10pm)
Foreign calls: +31 70 383 70 30 (Monday-Friday, 8am-10pm)