# .beID

Technical documentation coming soon

If you want to integrate with .beID, contact us for more information and technical documentation:

Page contents

About .beID
Key features
Authentication
Electronic signatures
Other sources
Support

# About .beID

.beID is the Belgian electronic identity card, which can be used for authentication and signing.

# Key features

It produces trusted identities verified by the Belgian government.
Signatures that use .beID are classified as Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES).

The card is issued by the Belgian government and is available for citizens over 12 years old. For children below 12, a version without the signing function is available (known as Kids-ID). There is also a version for foreign residents. The card is widely used in Belgium: In 2012, 99% of Belgian citizens over the age of 12 had the card. In 2018 it was estimated that it was being actively used for online authentication by approximately 5 million unique users.

The following user attributes can be retrieved via the .beID method:

First two given names and surname
Nationality
Birthdate
Place of birth
Gender
Card issuing information
Card validity date
Card number
National identity number (RRN)
Card type
Main address of the cardholder (to be updated by the cardholder on change of address)

Note

Use of the Belgian RRN (national identity number) is subject to specific legislation. For certain uses, you must obtain specific authorisation by FOD/SPF IBZ. For more details, refer to the applicable laws (for example, this one (opens new window) or other updated, applicable laws).

# Authentication

Holders of a .beID card can use it to log into the website of a service provider that supports this method. The screenshots below show the user experience during the process of authentication.

# Electronic signatures

The .beID card also allows end-users to sign documents electronically through third-party signing. The signature that is produced in this process is a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), which has the same legal validity as a traditional handwritten signature on paper. The screenshots below show the user experience during the process of signing a document.

# Other sources

# Support

Are there any features you think are missing? Anything you'd like to see on our site? You can share your thoughts on our community pages:

If you have questions, please contact Signicat Support: