Knowing your customer

[Nomen Nescio]

Tom Vogt wrote:

> I guess an equivalent ID will do. in germany, you need your ID card to
> open a bank account (um, for those not in the know: we have state-issue
> ID cards in addition to passports. the passport is a travel document,
> used to visit non-EU countries. the ID card is used inside the EU and
> for national purposes (identification, mostly). you are NOT required to
> have it with you all the time or somesuch, but some activities, such as
> opening a bank account, require an ID card. driving license or other
> documents will do in many cases, but I think not for bank accounts).

How often must your ID card be renewed?  What information does it (or the
ID database) contain that a German passport does not?