DATEV Personal: Access for you as an employer
Overview of access to DATEV Personal. Requirements, login procedures (SmartLogin, SmartCard, mIDentity), logging in via QR code, DATEV account, and users and permissions.
Introduction
You can access DATEV Personal via DATEV Unternehmen online. To log in, you’ll need a secure login method – most commonly the DATEV SmartLogin app. We’ll order and set up access for you; you don’t need to arrange anything yourself.
A few points to clarify in advance, as there is often some uncertainty regarding access:
Logging in does not necessarily require additional hardware – with SmartLogin, your smartphone is all you need. You do not need to be an IT expert either; once set up, logging in each day takes just a few seconds.
The DATEV account you may have heard of is not the same as your login method, but rather your central identity with DATEV. We explain how the two are linked below.
Requirements for access
The basis is a contract for DATEV Unternehmen Online. DATEV Personal appears as a section within this platform as soon as we have registered your business and activated the feature.
You will also need a login method. We usually order the DATEV SmartLogin for you. You will then receive a registration letter containing a registration code, your personal SmartLogin ID and a PUK for unlocking your account in an emergency.
We have summarised how DATEV SmartLogin works in this article:
If the tile for DATEV Personal does not appear in DATEV Unternehmen online, the feature has usually not yet been activated for your company. Please contact us – we’ll take care of the order.
How to log in to DATEV Personal
With DATEV SmartLogin, the login process takes just a few steps.
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Open DATEV Unternehmen online
Open DATEV Unternehmen online in your browser and select SmartLogin as your login method.
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Open the SmartLogin app
A QR code appears on the screen. Open the SmartLogin app on your smartphone and log in using your SmartLogin PIN.
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Scan the QR code
Use the app to scan the QR code displayed on the screen. Once the scan is complete, you will be automatically redirected.
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Open DATEV Personal
In DATEV Unternehmen online, select the DATEV Personal section and continue working there.
Before logging in for the first time, you’ll need to register the app once. You’ll find the details required for this in the registration letter; the app will guide you through the process.
Users and permissions
If several people in your organisation work with DATEV Personal, each person is given their own access with their own login credentials. This ensures that it is clear who has entered or approved which data.
The areas a person is permitted to edit are controlled via permissions. You can use these to specify whether someone is only allowed to upload documents or whether they may also approve monthly data. We will coordinate the setup of users and the allocation of permissions with you during the initial set-up.
Common sources of error
- Tile missing in DUO: If DATEV Personal has not yet been activated, the section will not appear. The application cannot be launched without our authorisation.
- Registration letter not to hand: The app cannot be set up without the registration code and SmartLogin ID. Please keep the letter safe until registration is complete.
- Lost PUK: You need the PUK to block or reset access in an emergency. If it is lost, recovery is more complicated.
- Missed the deadline for the DATEV account: If the link to the DATEV account is not established in time, you will no longer be able to log in from the relevant deadline onwards.
- Shared access for several people: If several employees share a single login method, it is no longer possible to trace who made a change.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need additional hardware for SmartLogin?
No. All you need for SmartLogin is your smartphone or tablet with the app installed. You only need a card reader if you’re using SmartCard or mIDentity.
Can I log in from different locations?
With SmartLogin, yes, as login is not tied to a specific workstation. SmartCard and mIDentity require the respective workstation to have a card reader.
What is the difference between a DATEV account and SmartLogin?
Your DATEV account is your identity at DATEV, comparable to a user account. SmartLogin is the method you use to log in. In future, you will log in using your DATEV account, and SmartLogin will serve as the second factor.
When will I need a DATEV account for DATEV Personal?
A DATEV account is expected to be required for DATEV Personal from 2 November 2026. We will inform you of the exact date and the steps to follow in good time.
Who orders my login credentials?
We usually order SmartLogin for you. You will then receive a registration letter by post containing all the necessary details.
I’ve forgotten my SmartLogin PIN. What should I do now?
You can reset your access via the app and your registration documents. If you’re having trouble, we’ll be happy to help.
Can several staff members work at the same time?
Yes. Each person is given their own access. You can use the permissions settings to control which areas each person is allowed to edit.
Legal notice
This article provides an overview and is not a substitute for individual advice. The scope of functions, registration procedures and migration dates at DATEV are subject to change; the current status at any given time is decisive.
If you have any questions about access or setting up additional users, please contact us directly.
As at: June 2026