Electronic identity card and Kids-ID

The electronic identity card (eID) is compulsory for all Belgians from 12 years onwards. It is valid for 10 years for applicants between 18 and 74 years of age / 6 years for applicants between 12 and 17 years of age / 30 years for applicants older than 75 years.

Identity cards can only be issued to Belgians who are registered at the embassy. You can check your status by contacting the embassy and if needed take the necessary steps to getting yourself registered. 

To apply for a new ID card, you will need to visit the Embassy of Belgium in Helsinki in person. To comply with European legislation, the new identity cards must include fingerprints of the two index fingers.

The new ID card can be picked up in person or be sent to your address. Please note: If you want to activate the electronic certificates of your identity card when it is issued, you should make an appointment to pick up the card in person. More information on activation can be found below.

You will be informed by email when your ID card has arrived at the embassy. The delivery time of an eID is 4 - 6 weeks.
 

• The application form: The form can also be obtained at the embassy.
• Proof of identity: a copy of your passport or identity card. The old identity card may be kept during the processing of your application. Your old identity card must be destroyed when the new identity card is issued.
• Payment: Identity card: 20 €  

• + eventual sending costs, if you wish to have the identity card sent by post:16,90 € to Finland and 22 € to Estonia.

  The identity card should be paid for with a bank or credit card when submitting the application. Should you prefer to opt for a bank transfer, you are requested to present a proof of payment.

  Bank information:

  Embassy of Belgium
  IBAN: FI6817223000000249 (Nordea)
  SWIFT: NDEAFIHH

• If your old identity card has been stolen: a report of theft filed at the local police office.
   

Any Belgian citizen registered in our consular register can activate their eID at our embassy in Helsinki, at any other Belgian embassy or consulate in another country or at a Belgian municipality.

The ID card can only be activated in the presence of the citizen. (This applies also to minors between 12 and 18 years of age.) If you wish to activate your card at our embassy, please make an appointment. To activate the card, the citizen must have at hand their identity card and their PUK code that is issued with the card. The activation of the card and the certificates allow citizens to identify themselves and to log in to official Belgian websites.
 

• In any case: call Doc-Stop to invalidate your identity card to ensure that it cannot be used fraudulently: +32 2 518 2123
• Contact the local police office to make a declaration of theft of your travel document or proof of identity.
• Are you a Belgian tourist and have you lost your travel document? Contact first your airline to check if you are allowed to travel with just the report of theft or loss filed at the local police office.
• In case of emergency: please contact us for the issuance of a provisional passport.
   

Learn more about identity cards:

• The eID software
• More info on the website of FPS Foreign Affairs