Identita občana — how can a foreigner with a residence permit or permanent residency get one? The fastest way is to activate BankID through your Czech bank's online banking: it takes a couple of minutes and requires no trips to any office. The alternative is NIA ID or the mobilní klíč eGovernmentu app: free online registration plus a single visit to a Czech POINT with your passport and biometric residence card — and if you already have a datová schránka (data box), activation can be done entirely online.
Electronic identification unlocks Portál občana, the ePortál ČSSZ, the MOJE daně tax portal, your datová schránka, and dozens of other services — no queues, no in-person visits. Below is a step-by-step rundown of every method that works for foreigners in 2026.
Identita občana is the state's electronic identification system, run by the Digitální a informační agentura (DIA). It's not a single card or one app, but rather an "umbrella": you verify your identity using any of the connected tools — BankID, NIA ID, mobilní klíč eGovernmentu, MojeID, or eObčanka — and the government portal receives confirmation that you are who you say you are.
An important change is coming in 2026: on 31 July 2026, logging into Portál občana with your datová schránka username and password will be discontinued. From 1 August, the only way in will be through Identita občana. If you've been using your data box login as your "key" all along, it's time to set up a proper sign-in method.
According to DIA, state-issued identification tools (NIA ID, mobilní klíč) are available to foreigners over 15 who reside in Czechia legally — specifically, holders of:
The key technical requirement is an entry in the population register (registr obyvatel). Holders of permanent residency and long-term residence permits are added automatically. EU citizens who haven't registered their stay need to do so at an MVD office (OAMP) first — without it, access to government portals simply won't work. The electronic eObčanka card is available only to Czech citizens.
Bank identity (Bank iD) is activated directly in your online banking: the bank already verified your identity when you opened the account, so no further confirmation is needed. The service is free.
According to Bank iD data for 2026, eleven banks issue this identity: Air Bank, Banka Creditas, Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Fio banka, Komerční banka, mBank, Moneta Money Bank, Partners Banka, Raiffeisenbank, and UniCredit Bank.
Requirement for foreigners: active online banking plus a valid document issued by the Czech state — a permanent residency or long-term residence permit card, pobytový štítek, vízový štítek (including a temporary protection visa), or an osvědčení o registraci for EU citizens. One nuance: if your Czech document lacks a machine-readable zone, only seven banks will issue Bank iD on that basis — Air Bank, Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Fio banka, Moneta, Partners Banka, and Raiffeisenbank. If the bank only recorded your foreign passport when you opened the account, visit a branch and ask them to add your Czech document — after that, BankID will also work for government services. Don't have an account yet? See our guides on how to open an account at a Czech bank and which bank is most convenient for foreigners.
If you don't have a bank account, or your bank isn't connected to the system, you can set up a state-issued sign-in method instead. NIA ID relies on a username, password, and one-time SMS codes; mobilní klíč eGovernmentu is a smartphone app that confirms your login faster, without SMS. Both are free, and the setup process is the same for either. A mandatory DIA requirement for both is a Czech mobile number (prefix +420) registered to you personally.
If you already have a datová schránka, there's no need to visit a Czech POINT: DIA lets you activate both NIA ID and mobilní klíč entirely online by logging in with your data box. A foreign phone number won't work, though — SMS codes require a Czech SIM or eSIM with a +420 number. Up-to-date requirements and instructions for foreigners are published on info.identita.gov.cz.
MojeID is an identity provided by CZ.NIC, the administrator of the Czech domain registry. The account itself is free; to log into government services you'll need a security key — either a hardware one (FIDO2) or one built into your smartphone or laptop — plus a one-time identity verification, done via Czech POINT, your data box, or bank identity. The "significant" (značná) level unlocks most government services, while the "high" (vysoká, requiring a certified hardware key) level opens absolutely everything. The service is available to Czech citizens and to foreigners with permanent or temporary residence; it suits anyone who'd rather not depend on a bank or SMS.
| Method | What you need | Czech POINT visit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BankID | Account at one of 11 banks + a Czech document | No | Existing Czech bank customers — the quickest start |
| NIA ID | E-mail, +420 number, passport + residence card | Yes, once — or online via data box | Anyone with residency, permanent residency, or a 90+ day visa |
| Mobilní klíč | Smartphone with the app + a +420 number | Yes, once — or online via data box | Those who'd rather skip SMS codes |
| MojeID | Security key + identity verification | Yes, or via data box or BankID | Advanced users |
If your residence status is non-standard (a waiting visa, a residence permit extension in progress) and the portals don't seem to "see" you, a migration lawyer can help sort it out, while an accountant can help you set up DIS+ and filing.
No, the electronic ID card eObčanka is only issued to Czech citizens. Foreigners can use BankID, NIA ID, mobilní klíč eGovernmentu, and MojeID instead — for logging into government services, they're functionally equivalent.
For NIA ID and mobilní klíč eGovernmentu — yes: DIA requires a mobile number with the +420 prefix that only you use. BankID only needs the phone number linked to your online banking, and MojeID works via a security key, requiring no SMS at all.
Yes, in two ways: BankID is activated entirely through online banking, and NIA ID or mobilní klíč can be activated online using an existing datová schránka — instructions are available at info.identita.gov.cz. A Czech POINT visit is only necessary if you have neither an account at a connected bank nor a data box.
Most often, you're simply not yet in the population register: EU citizens need to register their stay (osvědčení o registraci) with OAMP first, while bank customers should check that the bank has recorded a document issued by Czechia rather than just their foreign passport. If everything checks out but the error persists, contact DIA support via info.identita.gov.cz.
BankID, NIA ID, mobilní klíč eGovernmentu, and the datová schránka are all free. The only thing that might cost money is a hardware security key for MojeID, if you choose that option. Bank fees don't change — the identity service comes as a bonus with your account.
These are two different tools: the identity is a sign-in method, while the data box is your official "mailbox" for correspondence with government offices. Self-employed people and business owners get a data box opened automatically — worth knowing if you're planning to set up a živnost or an s.r.o.. Keep in mind that from 1 August 2026, your data box login will no longer open Portál občana — sign-in will only be possible through Identita občana.
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