Abstract: A validation device (2) for a smart card (1) of the kind having unprotected data storage memory (4) and protected data storage memory (5) selectively accessible by means of a user access code. The device (2) performs an encryption upon identification data to produce the user access code and reads identification data from the unprotected memory (4) for further encryption. The access code is supplied to the smart card (1) and selected data from said protected memory (5) is read for encryption to produce validating data. A comparator (8) compares the identification data with the validating data and rejects the smart card (1) if the data do not agree and establishes access to said protected memory (5) if the data do agree.