If you plan to work, study, open a bank account, buy property, or interact with public offices in Norway without registering as a full resident, you will likely meet the D-number. It is a building block for life admin here, especially for stays under six months or for people who are frequently in and out of the country for work.
In short, a Norwegian D-number is an 11-digit temporary identification number that links you to the Norwegian authorities and systems when you do not qualify for a permanent national identity number. It is not a residence permit and not proof of identity on its own, but it lets agencies, employers, banks, and universities find the right person and handle your case correctly.
Curious whether you need one, how to get it, and what you can actually use it for in everyday life? Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of D-numbers in Norway.
What Is a Norwegian D-number
A D-number is a unique 11-digit identifier issued from the National Population Register for people who do not have a permanent Norwegian national identity number. It is widely used by public offices and private companies to identify you in their systems. The digits resemble a national identity number, but they are different. A small technical detail that trips people up: the day of birth in a D-number is increased by 40. So if your birthday is the 3rd of a month, the D-number will show 43 as the day.
Think of it as your key to Norwegian bureaucracy while you are a non-resident or in an early stage of settling in. You can have one for years and reuse it when you return, even if you are only here seasonally. If you later become a registered resident, you will be given a permanent national identity number. The D-number does not transform into that number. They are separate.
Who Needs a D-number In Norway
You typically need a D-number if you are in any of these situations:
- You come to Norway to work for a short period.
- You are a student or researcher on a shorter stay.
- You need to open a bank account but are not registered as resident.
- You will pay tax in Norway or your employer must report your income.
- You are starting or taking a role in a Norwegian company as a foreign board member or shareholder.
- You are buying property in Norway.
- You need to sit certain tests, apply for permits, or get a professional license where the authority requires a Norwegian identifier.
If you will live in Norway for more than six months, you generally register as resident and receive a national identity number instead. Many people start with a D-number while their situation is being clarified.
What You Can Use a D-number For
The D-number unlocks a lot of practical tasks:
- Employment and tax. Employers use it to report salary. You use it to get a tax deduction card and log into tax services.
- Banking. Many banks require it to open an account. It also helps with international transfers, paying deposits, and getting paid by your employer.
- Public services. You can often use the D-number to get a digital login method, access health or education portals, or receive letters in your digital mailbox.
- Education and exams. Universities, language schools, and exam providers can register you properly with a D-number.
- Business roles. The company register can link you as a board member or owner through your D-number.
- Property and contracts. It helps identify you correctly when signing formal agreements.
Important to stress: a D-number is not an ID document. You will still need your passport or national ID card when asked to prove identity.
How To Get a D-number
Here is the practical route most people follow:
- Confirm you actually need one. A D-number is only issued when a Norwegian public office or an approved private entity needs it to process something for you. Typical triggers are a job, a bank application, tax registration, a study program, or a role in a Norwegian company.
- Have an authority request it for you. In most cases you do not “apply” for a D-number by yourself in the abstract. Instead, the relevant body asks for one on your behalf when they start your case. Examples include:
- Your employer when they register you for tax and ID control.
- Your bank when they process a new account.
- A public agency handling your permit, tax, or business role.
- A university or exam provider registering you as a candidate.
- Attend an ID check if required. Many people must book an ID control at the Norwegian Tax Administration offices. You bring original ID documents so your identity can be verified. Without this step, the number may not be activated for practical use. Plan for this early, especially before your first payday or key deadlines.
- Receive your D-number. After the request and any required ID control, your number is assigned and registered. Some entities will inform you directly. Others will proceed with your case and you can see the number in their portal or on official letters.
Timing depends on the agency and your case. Build in some buffer, especially if you are trying to start work or open a bank account quickly.
Documents You Will Usually Need
Requirements vary by purpose, but most people should be ready with:
- Valid passport or national ID card with photo.
- Residence permit or visa if applicable to your nationality and purpose.
- Employment contract or assignment letter if you are working.
- Study admission letter if you are a student.
- Address in Norway where you can receive letters. Even if you are not resident, many services send activation codes by post.
Bring originals. If your name has different spellings across documents, sort that out in advance. Your D-number must reflect your legal name exactly, accents included.
D-number vs. National Identity Number
These two numbers look similar to outsiders, yet they sit in different boxes:
- D-number: For people who are not registered as residents but need to be identified in Norway. Can be long term, reusable, and tied to many services. Does not by itself give any rights to live or work here.
- National identity number: For people who are registered residents in Norway. Used for everything from voting eligibility to healthcare as a resident. If you later become resident, you will receive this number and use it going forward.
Both are sensitive personal identifiers. Protect them as carefully as you would a Social Security Number.
Validity, Updates, And Common Pitfalls
A D-number does not really “expire” in the everyday sense. If you go away for years, it may go dormant in practice, but it is still yours. When you return, agencies can reactivate its use after verifying your ID again if needed.
The most common snags are avoidable:
- Spelling mismatches. If your name is entered one way by a bank and another way by your employer, systems will not match you. Always check how your name and birth details are registered.
- Missing ID control. Skipping the in-person ID check leaves your number unusable for key services. Book the appointment early.
- No reliable postal address. Activation codes and official letters often come by post. Use an address where mail actually reaches you, and update it if you move.
- Mixing up numbers. Do not share someone else’s D-number by mistake. Treat it as confidential data and store it safely.
Digital ID And The D-number
To use many Norwegian public services online, you need a digital login method. With a D-number, you can typically obtain MinID to access core services like tax. For broader access, including banking, you may need BankID, which is provided through your bank after its own customer due diligence. BankID is very convenient for signing contracts and logging into almost everything, but it is not guaranteed for every non-resident situation. If your bank cannot offer it, ask what alternative login methods they support.
Tip: set up your digital mailbox and login as soon as your D-number is active. It saves time, especially at tax time or when handling official letters.
Taxes, Work, And Employer Responsibilities
If you work in Norway, the D-number sits at the center of the payroll and tax machinery. This is the usual flow:
- Your employer initiates the process to register you for tax and to request or link your D-number.
- You complete ID control at the Tax Administration and get a tax deduction card once your details are approved.
- Your pay is reported against your D-number so the authorities can calculate correct tax.
For contractors and short-term workers, it is worth asking the hiring company exactly which steps they will handle and what they need from you. Getting this aligned in week one can prevent payment delays.
Practical Tips To Keep Things Smooth
- Start early. The D-number often sits on the critical path for banking, payroll, and exams. Get the request moving as soon as you have your job offer or admission letter.
- Keep a document pack. Passport, contract, admission letter, residence permit, proof of address. Bring originals to any appointment.
- Monitor your mail. Watch for letters with activation codes or appointments. If you travel, ask someone you trust to check your post.
- Be consistent with your name. Use the exact same spelling and order across all forms and accounts. If you use a middle name, use it consistently.
- Ask who is requesting the D-number. Employer, bank, university, or public office. Knowing the requester helps you follow up in the right place.
A Norwegian D-number is not glamorous, but it is powerful. Get it right and everyday tasks in Norway become easier, from getting paid to signing a lease. Treat it as a core credential, protect it like any sensitive ID, and keep your details tidy. That tidy back office will give you more time for the good stuff, like that first cinnamon bun and a slow walk along the waterfront.