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:

• the 13-digit national identification number ('matricule') of the holder;
• the authentication and electronic signature certificates and the associated private keys;
• an image of the holder's face;
• the holder's scanned signature;
• two of the holder's fingerprints if they are aged 12 or over.

This data is protected by cryptographic security mechanisms such as BAC (Basic Access Control), SAC (Supplemental Access Control) and EAC (Extended Access Control) as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

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;
• the national identification number.

All this data is protected using cryptographic security methods.

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.

Electronic certificates

The ID card provides its holder with 2 certificates:

• a signature certificate that enables the holder to electronically sign documents and transactions online. The holder is sure to have a qualified electronic signature having the same legal value as a handwritten signature;
• an authentication certificate that enables the holder to log on easily to many State and private online applications, with maximum security.

Electronic certificates can be used:

• with the GouvID mobile application for authentication purposes with the State's public services; or
  
• with a compatible contactless card reader for authentication with public services (national and foreign) and with certain Luxembourg banks.

Certificate activation

To be able to provide authentication and sign electronically, adult holders may request the activation of the electronic certificates at the time of application for the card, and only at that time. They must:

• provide a contact email address; and
• accept the general terms and conditions for the use of certificates (Pdf, 418 Kb).

For a child aged 15 and over, the certificates may be activated on request:

• by a parent with parental authority; or
• the legal guardian.

The parent or legal guardian must also sign the request to activate the certificates and accept the general terms and conditions of use of the certificates (Pdf, 418 Kb). In this case, both the card holder and the parent or legal guardian must:

• sign the application receipt;
• provide a contact email address for either the card holder or the parent/guardian.

The certificates cannot be activated for ID cards issued to minor children under 15 years of age or to adults without legal capacity.

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.

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 an activated identity card can request the suspension, reactivation or revocation (i.e. irreversible deactivation) of their certificates at any time.

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

Certificate expiration

Electronic certificates expire after 5 years from the date of activation. The certificates cannot be reactivated after having expired. However, your identity card remains valid as an identity and travel document.

If you wish to use an electronic certificate again, you will need to apply for a new identity card.

Change of contact email address

Anyone who, after activating their electronic certificates, changes email address or realises that the encoded email address is incorrect can request a change of email address by contacting LuxTrust (see 'Online services and forms'). They must go in person to the registered office of LuxTrust, present a valid ID and submit the duly completed form. They will then receive their eID-related notifications at a valid address.