Abstract: A personalization method for a motor vehicle and data release method. The motor vehicle includes at least the following components: an on-board computer; a human-machine interface; a vehicle-side data interface; and an access security device for recognizing physical or electronic vehicle-specific access authorization information. The personalization method includes a first step of recognizing, by the on-board computer using the access security device, the physical and/or electronic input of the vehicle-specific access authorization information. The method also includes a second step of retrieving and storing, by the on-board computer using the vehicle-side data interface, personal data of at least one user assigned to the motor vehicle. The second step is only carried out if in the first step the vehicle-specific access authorization information is recognized. The personalization method and data release method significantly simplify the personalization process in a motor vehicle.