Id.

What is it?

An identity card allows you to show who you are (identification). You can also use it to travel to most countries in Europe. You apply for an identity card at the municipality. You can pick up your identity card after 5 working days.

Starting January 4, 2021, your new identity card will have an additional function. You can use it to log in to the government, education, healthcare or your pension fund. 

Rush request

If you need your identity card quickly, make an urgent application. If you apply for the identity card before 2 p.m., you can pick it up the next business day. You will have to pay extra for this.

Traveling with children

  • Children must have their own travel documents and may no longer be credited in their parents' passports.
  • If you are traveling abroad with your child and you have a different last name from your child, you will need proof that you are the father or mother or have parental authority.

Read more about traveling with children on the government website .

How does it work?

An identity card is valid for 10 years if you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, an identity card is valid for 5 years.

Secure copy of identity card

Beware of identity fraud. This is where criminals abuse false or stolen identity information. With the KopieID app you can make a secure copy of your identity card with your smartphone. Don't have a KopieID app? Then check out the central government website on how to recognize and prevent identity fraud.

What to do.

  • You apply for the identity card in person at the municipality where you live. Children who want their own identity card must also come to the municipality.
  • You must pick up your identity card in person. This must be done within 3 months of your application, as your identity card will then expire. Are you also collecting an identity card for your child? If so, please bring your child with you.
  • Has your identity card expired? Then turn it in to the municipality.
  • Is your identity card (seriously) damaged? Then apply for a new identity card. You also turn in the old identity card to the municipality.

Physical or intellectual disability

If a physical or mental disability prevents you from applying for an identity card in person, an employee of the municipality may come to you. If in doubt, the municipality will ask you for a medical certificate.

Identity card lost or stolen

  • If your identity card is lost or stolen in the Netherlands, you can immediately apply for a new one. With this application you sign a Declaration of Loss. You do not have to report it to the police.
  • If you have insurance against theft, reporting it to the police is recommended, however.
  • If you need to travel immediately, you can request an emergency document from the Royal Military Police.
  • If you find your old identity card, you are obliged to turn it in to the municipality. This is because this identity card is no longer valid.
  • If you lose your identity card abroad, report it to the police locally. Ask for written proof of this. You will need this for your insurance. In the Netherlands you do not have to report it to the Dutch police.
  • Report to the Dutch embassy or consulate that your identity card has been lost or stolen and request an emergency document.
  • With the foreign record, you can apply for a new identity card at the municipality.

What do I need?

  • A good-looking passport photo that
  • All passports and identity cards you still have, even if they have expired.
  • If you are applying for a second passport, bring proof that you need the second passport.
  • If your passport was lost or stolen abroad, take the foreign record with you.
  • Debit card or cash. You pay directly at the time of application.

Children up to 12 years old

  • Written consent from both parents or the person with custody of the child. Use the form provided by the municipality for this purpose. You can also both sign on the spot, then you do not need to bring a completed form.
  • (Copy of) the proof of identity of both parents or the person with custody of the child.
  • Children must be present in person when applying for and collecting their ID cards.
  • At least one parent or guardian must be present at the time of application.
  • A good-looking passport photo not older than 6 months at the time of application. This passport photo meets the passport photo requirements.
  • All passports and ID cards you still have of your child, even if they have expired.
  • Debit card or cash. You pay directly at the time of application.

How long does it take?

You can pick up your identity card after 5 working days.
After picking up your identity card at the municipal counter, you will receive a letter from DigiD within 5 working days. With this you can activate the login function. For more information, visit www.digid.nl.

If you made an urgent application in the morning, you can pick up your ID card the next business day.

If you no longer have your old identity card and you have no other proof of identity, the municipality conducts research to determine your identity. As a result, it may take longer for you to receive your identity card.

Additional information

  • If you are not a Dutch national, you may be eligible for a Refugee Passport or an Alien Passport.
  • If you are under guardianship, you can also apply for an identity card. You do not then need the curator's permission.
  • If you change your name, you must apply for a new identity card.
  • If you change gender, you must apply for a new identity card.

Applying from abroad

Dutch nationals living abroad can obtain an ID card from a large number of Dutch representations, such as embassies and consulates. Or at one of the border municipalities in the Netherlands. Such an application involves many different documents.

The Netherlands Worldwide tool makes it easier to apply for an ID card abroad or at a border municipality. Thanks to the tool, you can see exactly which documents you need and make a personal checklist online. This saves you a lot of time.