Your German Tax ID, also called Steueridentifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID) or IdNr, is your personal tax identification number. Your number is:
11-digits long
assigned automatically
valid for life
unchanged even if you move or change your name.
Germany assigns this number automatically to taxable persons, including:
people who register their address in Germany for the first time
newborn children
Important: IdNr. is not the same as your passport number, ID card number, or customer number. It is also not Steuernummer, which is more like the number tied to your tax account/case with the tax office.
Why Wise needs this number?
We ask for your IdNr. to verify your tax information and to meet local regulatory and tax-reporting requirements in Germany.
The IdNr. is the official number used to identify a person in tax procedures, so tax-related records and communications can be matched to the correct individual. You can learn more here
How do I find my IdNr?
You can usually find your IdNr. in one of these places:
Check your Einkommensteuerbescheid
Your Einkommensteuerbescheid is your income tax assessment notice. How it looks
Check your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung
Your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung is your annual wage tax statement. How it looks
Ask your employer or payroll team
If you are employed, your employer normally already has your IdNr. for payroll tax purposes, please check with them.
Check the letter sent after you first registered in Germany
When you first register your address in Germany, your IdNr. is normally sent by post to your registered address.
How it looks: in German, in English
I've lost my IdNr.
If you cannot find your IdNr, you can request it again from the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt):
Please note that the IdNr. is not given by phone or email for data-protection reasons.
Your IdNr. will be sent by post to your current registered address. Average processing time using the online form: around 4 weeks (in some cases it may take up to 8 weeks).
I recently moved to Germany and don't have IdNr yet
If you have still not received your IdNr. within 3 months of first registering your address in Germany, official guidance says you can request it from the BZSt.
To do this, follow the steps above for I've lost my IdNr.