eID – The Luxembourg electronic identity card

The national identity card is the administrative proof of identity and nationality of its holder.

Holding an identity card is compulsory for all Luxembourg nationals:

• aged 15 and over; and
• who reside in a Luxembourg commune.

Persons under 15 years of age are not required to have an ID card: it is issued upon the request of a parent exercising parental authority. For Luxembourg nationals residing abroad, the ID card is optional.

Appearance and data recorded on the card

Luxembourg identity card issued after 2 August 2021

The ID card contains the following elements:

• on the front:
  1. the surname, and if requested by the holder, the surname of the living or deceased spouse;
  2. the first name or the first 2 or 3 given names;
     
  3. the nationality;
  4. the date of birth;
     
  5. the holder's gender;
  6. the expiry date of the card;
  7. the name and number of the card;
  8. a digital photograph of the holder;
  9. the holder's scanned signature;
  10. the logo certifying the card's compliance with ICAO standards for travel documents;

• on the back of the card:
  1. the date and place of issue of the card;
  2. the name and scanned signature of the Minister responsible for Home Affairs;
     
  3. electronically readable information (machine readable zone).

The card also contains the following electronic data:

• authentication and electronic signature certificates and related private keys;
• an uncoded image of the holder's face;
• digital fingerprints;
• the national identification number.

All this data is protected using cryptographic security methods.

Luxembourg identity card issued before 2 August 2021

The ID card contains the following elements:

• on the front:
  1. the surname, and if requested by the holder, the surname of the living or deceased spouse;
  2. the first name or the first 2 or 3 given names;
     
  3. the nationality;
  4. the date of birth;
     
  5. the holder's gender;
  6. the expiry date of the card;
  7. the name and number of the card;
  8. a digital photograph of the holder;
  9. the holder's scanned signature;
  10. the logo certifying the card's compliance with ICAO standards for travel documents;

• on the back of the card:
  1. the date and place of issue of the card;
  2. the name and scanned signature of the Minister responsible for Home Affairs;
     
  3. electronically readable information (machine readable zone).

The card also contains the following electronic data:

• authentication and electronic signature certificates and related private keys;
• an uncoded image of the holder's face;
• national identification number;
• the usual place of residence.
  

All this data is protected using cryptographic security methods.

 

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Administrative procedures

Applying for an identity card

Residents

Persons residing in Luxembourg can apply for an identity card at:

• the communal administration of their usual place of residence; or
• the Guichet.lu reception desk.

Find out on Guichet.lu how residents can apply.

Non-residents

Non-residents must apply for an identity card at:

• the Guichet.lu reception desk; or
  
• a Luxembourg diplomatic or consular mission abroad.
  

Find out on Guichet.lu how non-residents can apply.

Declaring the loss, theft or destruction of an identity card

Any holder of an ID card who notices that their card has been lost, stolen or destroyed must file a report with the Police as soon as possible. This may be done either online via the MyGuichet.lu platform or in person at a police station. The person filing the report receives an attestation.

In addition to reporting to the police, the holder must also notify:

• the communal administration of their usual place of residence; or
  
• the Guichet.lu reception desk; or
  
• if abroad, the relevant diplomatic or consular mission

in order to request the suspension of the electronic certificates and the card.

Find out more about the loss, theft or destruction of an ID card on Guichet.lu.

 

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Electronic certificates

The ID card contains electronic authentication and signature certificates that can be used by the holder to identify themselves to online services.

The electronic certificates can be used with:

• the GouvID app, to authenticate the holder's identity in dealings with State-run public services;
• a compatible contactless card reader to authenticate the holder's identity in dealings with national and foreign State-run public services, or with certain Luxembourgish banks.

Certificate activation

These certificates are activated at the holder's specific request when they apply for a new eID card. The holder must accept the general terms and conditions for using certificates.

The holder will receive a letter containing the PIN and PUK codes together with the necessary instructions on how to activate the electronic certificates by post. This document should be kept in a safe place.

Holders will be prompted to change the initial PIN code received by post to a PIN code of their choice when the certificates are used for the first time.

Reprint of the mail containing the PIN and PUK codes

If the letter containing the initial PIN and PUK code is lost or destroyed, the cardholder can request a reprint. The request can be made by telephone to the Guichet.lu Helpdesk.

For more information on the practical details of the application, see the explanatory information page on Guichet.lu.

Suspension, reactivation and revocation of certificates

Holders of activated ID cards may request the suspension, reactivation or revocation of their certificates at any time.

The suspension or revocation of authentication and signature certificates does not affect the validity of the ID card.