If you are moving to Norway, working with a Norwegian employer, opening a bank account, or dealing with public services, you will probably be asked for a Norwegian ID number. The two main types are the fødselsnummer and the D-number. Although both identify you in official systems, they are issued in different situations and do not provide exactly the same access.
This guide explains how the Norwegian identification number system works, who qualifies for each number, how the application process usually works, and what to do if you have not received one yet.
What is a Norwegian ID number?
A Norwegian ID number is a personal number used by public authorities, employers, banks, healthcare providers, and other organisations to identify you. In Norwegian, the general term is fødselsnummer, but people often use Norwegian ID number or Norwegian identification number when talking about the system as a whole.
Both a fødselsnummer and a D-number contain 11 digits. They are used to connect your information across systems, such as your tax records, employment details, address, social security information, and public benefits. The number itself is not a residence permit, citizenship document, or travel document. It is an identifier.
You normally receive only one active Norwegian ID number. It stays connected to you even if you change your name, move to another municipality, or leave Norway for a period. You should not apply for a new number simply because your personal details change.
Fødselsnummer explained
A fødselsnummer is the permanent Norwegian national identity number generally issued to people who are registered as residents in Norway. It is also issued to children born in Norway when they are registered in the National Population Register.
Foreign nationals who plan to live in Norway for at least six months will normally be registered as residents once the authorities have assessed their situation. After registration, the Norwegian Tax Administration, known as Skatteetaten, issues a fødselsnummer if the person does not already have one.
The first six digits traditionally reflect the person’s date of birth in the format day, month, and year. The remaining digits are an individual number and check digits. However, you should not try to interpret every detail of the number yourself. Norway has introduced additional number series to ensure that enough numbers are available, so not every number follows the older assumptions about how the individual digits work.
Who usually receives a fødselsnummer?
- People registered as residents in Norway for a stay of at least six months.
- Children born in Norway who are registered in the population register.
- Some people with a long-term connection to Norway who meet the registration requirements.
- People who previously had a D-number and later become registered as residents.
Being entitled to live or work in Norway does not automatically mean that you receive a fødselsnummer immediately. You must generally complete the relevant registration process and provide documents showing your identity and planned stay.
What is a D-number in Norway?
A D-number is a temporary Norwegian identification number for people who need to be identified in Norway but are not registered as residents. The name comes from the fact that the first digit of the birth date section is increased by four. For example, a person born on the fifth day of a month may have a D-number beginning with 45 rather than 05. This is only a general way to recognise the number. The number is not a different kind of passport or permit.
The D-number Norway uses is intended for people with a connection to the country that is not yet strong enough, or not expected to last long enough, for resident registration. This can include foreign workers staying for a shorter period, people with certain tax or social security matters, and individuals who need services from a Norwegian bank or public agency.
Who can receive a D-number?
You cannot normally order a D-number simply because you would like one. An approved organisation or public authority must usually request it on your behalf because it needs to identify you. Depending on the situation, the request may be connected to a tax card, employment, banking, social security, immigration, or another official service.
Examples of organisations that may be involved include Skatteetaten, NAV, a bank, an employer, or another institution that has a valid reason to identify you. The organisation requesting the number may first require an identity check. In many cases, you will need to visit a tax office or another designated location and show an approved identity document.
A D-number does not by itself give you the right to work, live in Norway, receive benefits, or open a bank account. Those rights depend on your immigration status, tax position, employment, and the rules of the organisation providing the service.
Fødselsnummer versus D-number
The simplest difference is that a fødselsnummer is normally linked to resident registration, while a D-number is normally used when you have a temporary or limited connection to Norway.
- Fødselsnummer: Usually issued to people registered as residents, and commonly used as their main long-term Norwegian identification number.
- D-number: Issued to people who need identification in Norway but are not registered as residents.
- Both numbers: Contain 11 digits and may be used for tax, banking, employment, healthcare, and other official purposes, depending on the situation.
A D-number can sometimes be replaced by a fødselsnummer if you later become registered as a resident. This is not a conversion that you arrange by choosing a new number. The authorities assess your registration and issue the appropriate number. If you have both old and new records, make sure your employer, bank, and other important organisations update their systems.
How to get a Norwegian ID number when moving to Norway
1. Establish why you need the number
Your route depends on your circumstances. Someone moving to Norway for a long-term job will usually need to report their move and apply for resident registration. Someone coming for a short assignment may need a tax card and a D-number instead. A student, family member, seasonal worker, or person with a business connection may have a different process.
If you are unsure, contact Skatteetaten or a Service Centre for Foreign Workers, often called SUA, before submitting anything. Giving the authorities clear information about your expected length of stay can prevent delays.
2. Gather your documents
Most applications require proof of identity and documents explaining your connection to Norway. The exact list varies, but you may be asked for:
- A valid passport or national identity card.
- A residence permit, registration certificate, or documentation of your right to stay, where relevant.
- An employment contract or assignment letter.
- Proof of housing or your Norwegian address.
- Marriage, birth, or family documents when applying with dependants.
- Documentation from a bank, employer, NAV, or another organisation requesting a D-number.
Documents may need to be original, valid, translated, or certified depending on where they were issued. A residence card can support your application, but it usually does not replace the need to prove your identity with an accepted travel or identity document.
3. Attend an identity check if required
Many people must attend an appointment in person so the authorities can check their identity documents. Bring the documents listed in your appointment confirmation. If your documents are incomplete, the case may take longer or you may need to book another appointment.
Do not assume that an employer’s confirmation alone is enough. The authorities need to establish both who you are and why you should be registered or identified in Norway.
4. Wait for registration or allocation
Once the case is processed, you may receive a fødselsnummer or D-number. Processing times vary according to the type of case, the documents provided, and the workload of the relevant authority. You may receive the number by letter or through an organisation involved in your case. Keep the notification in a safe place, but remember that the number should not be treated as a password.
Using your Norwegian identification number
Your Norwegian identification number may be needed for a tax deduction card, payroll, tax returns, healthcare registration, pension matters, and contact with NAV. Banks may ask for it when you open an account or apply for financial services. Employers use it to report your employment and salary to the authorities.
It can also be useful when registering with a general practitioner, dealing with the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, buying insurance, or accessing digital public services. Some organisations can locate your records using other information while your number is pending, but this depends on their systems and policies.
Having a fødselsnummer or D-number does not automatically give you BankID. BankID is a separate electronic identification service issued by participating banks. You normally need to meet the bank’s customer identification requirements before you can receive it. MinID and other login options are also separate from the number itself.
What if you have not received a number yet?
People who have just arrived in Norway often need to start work or deal with practical matters before their number has been issued. Ask your employer, bank, or public authority what temporary procedure they use. An employer may be able to submit information while your tax card application is being processed, but you should not guess your number or use another person’s details.
If you are waiting for a D-number requested by an organisation, contact that organisation for an update. In many cases, only the requesting organisation can see the status of the request. If you are waiting for a fødselsnummer after reporting a move, contact Skatteetaten or check the relevant official correspondence.
Once you receive a number, give it only to organisations that have a legitimate reason to request it. Be especially careful with unsolicited messages asking for your number, passport copy, online banking details, or security codes.
Common problems with Norwegian ID numbers
Your name or date of birth is recorded incorrectly
Contact the authority responsible for the record as soon as possible. Do not apply for another Norwegian ID number. A correction to your personal details should normally be made against your existing record.
Your D-number is inactive
Some organisations may tell you that a D-number is inactive or requires an updated identity check. This does not necessarily mean that the number has disappeared. D-numbers can be subject to identity information updates, and an organisation may need confirmation before using the record again. Ask the organisation requesting the update what action is required.
A bank or service provider will not accept your number
Organisations have their own customer checks and may apply different rules to D-numbers and fødselsnumre. Ask what alternative documents they accept and whether an in-person identity check is required. A D-number can be valid for official identification while still not meeting a particular provider’s requirements for a product or service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fødselsnummer the same as a Norwegian ID number?
Usually, yes, when people use Norwegian ID number to mean the permanent personal number issued to residents. More broadly, Norwegian ID number can refer to either a fødselsnummer or a D-number. The fødselsnummer is normally linked to resident registration, while a D-number is used for people who are not registered as residents.
Can I apply directly for a D-number in Norway?
Usually not. A public authority, employer, bank, or another approved organisation normally requests a D-number because it needs to identify you. You may still need to attend an identity check and provide your passport or other approved documents.
How long does it take to get a Norwegian identification number?
There is no single processing time for every case. The time depends on whether you are applying for resident registration or a D-number, whether your documents are complete, and how busy the authority is. Check the current estimate with Skatteetaten or the organisation handling your request.
Can I work in Norway without a fødselsnummer?
You may be able to work with a D-number or while an application is being processed, depending on your right to work and tax situation. You will normally need a tax deduction card. Your employer should explain which documents and information are required before you start.
Does a Norwegian ID number give me Norwegian citizenship?
No. A fødselsnummer or D-number is an identification number, not proof of citizenship. Citizenship, residence rights, work rights, and access to public services are determined separately under the relevant rules.