How VideoIdent Works for a German SIM

Updated May 11, 2026 · Jules de Bruin, Editor

Updated May 2026. VideoIdent is a live video call with a verification agent who checks your ID document and confirms you on camera. It's the dominant way German telcos comply with TKG §111, which requires identity verification before any SIM activates. A typical session takes 5-15 minutes end-to-end, depending on agent availability. Pass rate is around 90% if your conditions are right. Failures are usually about lighting, ID glare, or audio quality, not who you are.

How it works
Pass-rate checklist
FAQ

What happens in a VideoIdent session?

Provider redirects you to the verification service. Most use IDnow or WebID. The link opens in your browser or in the provider's app.
You grant camera and microphone access. Mobile devices work best because of the dual-camera setup; laptops with poor webcams cause more failures.
An agent joins the call within 1-15 minutes. Wait time varies by time of day. Mornings and weekday business hours are fastest; evenings and weekends slower.
The agent asks for your ID document. Hold the passport or EU ID card up to the camera. The agent talks you through angles — front, back, hologram tilt, photo-page focus.
You answer security questions. Date of birth, address, document number. Match what you entered on the provider's signup form.
The agent confirms or rejects. Approved cases activate within minutes. Rejected cases get one retry; second failure routes to PostIdent.

Pass-rate checklist

Bright, even lighting — sit facing a window or under a ceiling light, never with light behind you.
Physical ID document — passport, EU national ID, or German residence permit. No phone screenshots.
Hold the ID still and let the agent direct angles — rushing causes hologram-check failures.
Stable internet — mobile data 4G/5G is usually fine; weak hotel WiFi causes audio dropouts which fail the session.
Quiet room — ambient noise makes the security questions harder for the agent to score.
Match the signup form — the agent verifies your name, address, and DOB against what you typed. Typos cause rejection.

Frequently asked questions

How long does VideoIdent take?

Wait time before an agent joins: 1 to 15 minutes depending on time of day. Call itself: 5 to 10 minutes for a smooth case. Total signup-to-activation: 15 to 30 minutes if nothing goes wrong.

Can I do VideoIdent if I'm not in Germany?

Usually yes. The verification service doesn't check your location, only your document. Tourists and inbound expats can do VideoIdent from their home country before flying to Germany — the SIM then activates as soon as you land.

What if VideoIdent fails twice?

Switch to PostIdent. The provider issues a PostIdent code. Walk into any Deutsche Post branch with the code and your ID. The post-office staff verify in person and submit the result. Provider activates within 24 hours of PostIdent submission.

Is my VideoIdent recording kept somewhere?

Yes. The verification service stores a recording of the session and a still image of your ID for document-retention legal periods (typically 2-10 years depending on jurisdiction). This is required by KYC regulation. The provider doesn't see the recording directly; they get a pass/fail flag plus your verified name, DOB, and document number.