Disclosed is a method for retrieving an EID of a terminal, which includes that a network side stores a corresponding relationship between an RN of the EID of the terminal and the EID of the terminal, and when the terminal responds to a trigger request from an MTC server, the network side retrieves the EID of the terminal which corresponds to the RN according to the RN of the EID of the terminal and the corresponding relationship. A system for retrieving the EID of the terminal is also disclosed. By employing the method and system, the network side can retrieve the EID of the terminal, and use a correct EID to respond to a terminal trigger request from an MTC server.