European eHerkenning login

Need easy access to European public/private service providers? eHerkenning from We-ID is the answer. Everything you need to know..

eIDAS stands for ‘Electronic Identities And Trust Services’. With eIDAS, European member states have agreed to use the same concepts, trust levels and mutual digital infrastructure. One part of the regulation is the cross-border use of European-recognised login means.

What exactly is eIDAS?

For access to many public and private-sector services across Europe, you need to use an accredited ID. In the Netherlands, for example, the accredited IDs are eHerkenning and DigiD. European citizens with accredited IDs have the same service access in all European countries that support the system, which is called eIDAS. So a Dutch citizen who lives or works in Spain can use their Spanish ID to log in with the Dutch Tax Service and submit a tax return, for example. That’s because Spain’s ‘cl@ve’ is an eIDAS-approved system. However, not all public and private sector service providers support eIDAS. So, before trying to use a national ID to take care of business in another European country, it’s important to check that the organisations you’ll be dealing with are part of the eIDAS network.

Which European countries support international logins?

Although all EU countries plus Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland belong to the European Economic Area (EEA), not all those countries’ national IDs are approved and accepted throughout Europe. So, before trying to use a national ID to take care of business in another European country, it’s important to check that the organisations you’ll be dealing with are part of the eIDAS network.

Use this link (Dutch) to check which EEA countries’ national ID systems can be used elsewhere.

 

Set up your eHerkenning token for use around Europe

Before your eHerkenning token can be used in another European country, international validity needs to be enabled. You start the ball rolling by filling in an amendment form, on which you consent to your Public Service Number (BSN) being shared with We-ID for the one-off purpose of generating a unique ID number.

After that, whenever you use eHerkenning to log in with a service provider in another European country, it’s the unique number that is given to the service provider, not your BSN. Once we’ve generated your unique ID number, we delete your BSN from our database, as required by the GDPR. So your privacy is protected, and your personal data can’t be abused. If you don’t yet have a level-3 (EH3) eHerkenning token, you’ll need to request one. 

Not all eHerkenning tokens are suitable for international use. The eHerkenning system has four distinct assurance levels. To access public and private-sector services in other European countries, you need assurance level EH3 or higher. In addition, the service provider needs to be a member of the eIDAS system.

Using eHerkenning in Europe: the benefits

eHerkenning is a great way to access public and private sector services in other European countries. Advantages include:

Convenience

It’s easier to access public and private sector services around Europe with eHerkenning, because you don’t need to remember multiple logins and passwords. A single eHerkenning ID can be used in various European countries.

Data security

eHerkenning is a secure and reliable Dutch business ID that’s approved and accepted in other European countries. It’s the only ID that lets Dutch business users access many public and private services around Europe.

Prices

EH2+

3 years

€ 16,-

a year

Often used for:

Personal register

Mijn.RVO.nl

EH3

3 years

29,95

a year

Often used for:

Tax Authority

Customs Service

UWV, DUO

Multiple Chamber of Commerce numbers

Give your employees access to a comprehensive CoC structure

Often used for:

2 or more CoC-numbers

Complex CoC structures

Big organisations

Questions about application

How do I know which authorisation to link
to my eHerkenning token?

Link a country-specific authorisation to your eHerkenning token, not a service-specific one. This lets you use all eIDAS-enabled services in that country, including future ones. You can find the required authorisation in the service catalogue (Management Module). Inform your Authorisation Manager which authorisation to link. If you link a general authorisation, a country-specific one is not needed.

 

What information can I register and pass on using eHerkenning?

Once you consent, service providers in other European countries can process your personal data each time you log in. They need this data from the National Personal Records Database to verify your identity and ensure only eligible users access their services. At minimum, your surname, forenames, and date of birth will be processed. Additional data, such as place of birth, address, gender, and birth name, may also be required.

Without your consent, you won’t be able to access the service.

Is there an extra charge for enabling me to use
eHerkenning elsewhere in Europe?

If your eHerkenning token is assurance level 3 (EH3), there is a one-time €10 charge for processing your BSN and personal data to create a unique ID for international access. This fee is in addition to your regular contract. We-ID eHerkenning tokens are available with one-year (€41) or three-year (€89.85) contracts. Request your token here.