Activate the online function of your electronic residence title (“elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel/eAT”)

+++ The 2006 cohort will be able to activate their budget by 31 December 2024 and spend their KulturPass budget in 2025. +++ For the 2005 vintage, activation was possible until 31 December 2023. Their budget can be used until 31 December 2024. +++

If you have not yet activated the online ID function for your electronic residence permit, you can activate it now to unlock your budget. We explain how it works.


How to activate the online function of your electronic residence permit (“elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel/eAT”)


After applying for your eAT, you will receive a PIN letter with information about your eAT and the online ID function. Keep the letter in a safe place.

The letter contains the following information:

  1.  a five-digit transport PIN (Personal Identification Number), also known as the activation PIN
  2.  a PUK (Personal Unblocking Key), a number to remove a PIN blockade
  3.  a blocking password

You can find more information about the letter here: Information about PIN, PUK, CAN and blocking code

Can't find your PIN letter or need to activate your online function?

Then please contact your Citizens' Office/Immigration Office directly. You can have the online function activated free of charge and set your new PIN at the citizens' service office responsible for you. You can find the office in charge at servicesuche.bund.de/#/en/ by searching for the keyword ‘PIN’ and entering your postcode.

This is what you have to do:


  1. Once you have received your ID card / eID, you can replace the five-digit activation PIN (also known as the transport PIN) from the PIN letter with a personal six-digit PIN.
  2. You will always need your personal six-digit PIN if you want to use the online ID function.
  3. This PIN replacement works either with an NFC-enabled smartphone or tablet or on your PC using a card reader. Alternatively, you can do this at the terminal at your local citizens' office/immigration office. You will also find instructions on how to do this in the PIN letter.

You can only use the online ID function once this step has been completed.


If you have any questions, please contact us at support@kulturpass.de.