insic Update (english): POSTIDENT electronic ID function (eID) via the Deutsche Post identification platform

With the ‘insic Update’ series of articles, we give you a complete overview of the software required to implement the compliance requirements of German and European regulation.

You can find all articles in this series on our multilingual overview page.

POSTIDENT electronic ID function (eID) for online verification of identities via the Deutsche Post identification platform

The POSTIDENT eID service utilises the Deutsche Post identification platform to verify the details of an online registration. All POSTIDENT services comply with the Money Laundering Act and the Telecommunications Act.

Due to the associated costs, the POSTIDENT variants serve as alternative procedures if the SCHUFA process, Open Banking or other VideoIdent methods are unsuccessful.

Transactions are billed via your contract with Deutsche Post.

After registration, the procedure for the eID card function is initiated within the POSTIDENT app to be installed in advance:

  • Start identification online
    • Transfer of the customer from the insic system to the POSTIDENT portal
  • Select POSTIDENT using the online ID function
    • Selection of procedure: Selection of identification via smartphone with NFC interface
  • Transmission of the data
    • Reading out the ID card data using the smartphone's NFC interface
  • Provision of the identification data
    • Electronic data provision via the information portal and the insic web service

As an alternative, Deutsche Post offers identification at a post office branch.

Users must meet the following requirements for the eID procedure:

  • An activated NFC (Near Field Communication) feature on their smartphone, available on most current high-end smartphones
  • A German ID card, electronic residence permit or eID card with activated eID function
  • A 6-digit PIN of the eID function, alternatively the 5-digit transport PIN can be used in the identification process to set the 6-digit PIN
  • Stable internet connection