What you need before you start

You need three things in place before you open elster.de:

  • A German tax ID (Steuer-ID) or tax number (Steuernummer), depending on what stage you're at.
  • A registered German address, since the activation code is sent by post rather than email.
  • An email address you check regularly, for the first of two confirmation steps.

Registration, step by step

  1. Start the registration and choose a certificate type

    Go to elster.de and choose to create an account. You'll be asked to pick a certificate type — the software certificate is the simplest option for individuals and small companies, storing your login credential as a file rather than on a separate card or token.

  2. Enter your details and tax number

    Fill in your personal or company details, including your tax ID or tax number. Double-check this field carefully — it is one of the most common places non-German speakers make a mistake, covered in the next section.

  3. Wait for two separate confirmations

    For security, ELSTER splits activation into two channels: an activation link by email, which usually arrives within minutes, and an activation code by post, which typically takes one to two weeks. Registration is not complete until both arrive.

  4. Activate your account and download your certificate

    Enter both codes on the portal, then set a password and download your certificate file. This file, together with your password, is how you log in from now on — there is no separate username and password login for the software certificate option.

  5. Log in and keep the certificate file safe

    Store the certificate file somewhere backed up. Losing it without a backup generally means going through parts of the registration process again, which brings back the postal waiting time.

The fields that trip up non-German speakers

Germany uses three different numbers that sound similar in translation but are not interchangeable.

The three German tax identifiers, compared.
Number What it is Format
Steuer-ID Your personal tax ID, issued once at address registration and permanent for life 11 digits, the same nationwide
Steuernummer Your tax number at a specific Finanzamt, tied to your business or income tax file 10–11 digits, format varies by federal state
USt-IdNr. Your VAT ID, used on invoices to business clients elsewhere in the EU "DE" followed by 9 digits

Entering a Steuernummer where a Steuer-ID is expected, or vice versa, is one of the most common reasons a registration or a later filing gets rejected.

What you'll actually use the account for

Day to day, most people use their ELSTER account for three things: reading official notices and letters from the Finanzamt, filing simple forms directly when they choose to, and granting a Steuerberater electronic power of attorney (elektronische Vollmacht) so the advisor can file on their behalf without separate credentials each time.

Common stumbling blocks

  • Moving before the activation code arrives. The code is mailed to the address on file at the moment you register, so a house move mid-process sends it to the wrong door.
  • Certificate expiry. Software certificates typically expire after around three years and need renewing before they lapse, or you lose access.
  • Personal vs. organization accounts. A managing director often needs a personal ELSTER account and a separate one for the company itself — conflating the two causes confusion later when filings need to come from the right identity.
  • Weak password storage. Since the certificate file plus password is your entire login, losing track of either effectively locks you out.

Once you're registered, see our guide to ELSTER in English for what's actually translated in the portal and the practical routes people use to file without fluent German.

Frequently asked questions

How long does ELSTER registration actually take?

Usually one to two weeks in total. The email confirmation arrives within minutes, but the activation code sent by post is the bottleneck.

Should I register myself personally or register the company?

Often both. Freelancers typically need only a personal account. A GmbH or UG usually needs the company registered as its own organization account in addition to the managing director's personal one.

Is ELSTER registration required if I use accounting or tax software?

Not always for filing itself, since some software transmits through its own certified connection. It's still worth having your own account for notices and to grant your Steuerberater power of attorney.

What if I lose the certificate file or forget my password?

The certificate file can't simply be reissued without a backup; you generally need to register again or go through ELSTER's recovery process, which takes time. Keep both backed up somewhere secure.