If you live in Norway, you will meet BankID everywhere. It is the digital ID Norwegians use to log in to banks, sign contracts, file taxes, access healthcare, and confirm their age online. As a Norwegian who has helped many newcomers set this up, I can tell you that BankID is issued by your bank and tied to your personal ID number, not by a government office. Once you have it, life in Norway becomes noticeably easier.
In short: to get BankID you need a Norwegian personal ID number, an account with a Norwegian bank that offers BankID, and a verified ID check with that bank. After approval, you activate your credentials and set up the BankID app on your phone. From there, you use your personal password together with biometrics in the app for logins and electronic signatures. If you are brand new to Norway, the sequence is usually 1) get registered and receive your personal ID number, 2) open a bank account and complete an in-person ID check, 3) receive and activate BankID.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of BankID in Norway.
What BankID Actually Is
BankID is Norway’s standard digital identity and qualified e-signature used by banks, public services, and private companies. Think of it as your digital passport for Norwegian services. It verifies that you are you, and it lets you sign legally binding documents online. You authenticate by combining something you know (your personal BankID password) with something you have (the BankID app on your phone using Face ID or a fingerprint). Before the app, many of us used a code device or BankID on mobile. Today the BankID app is the default and the simplest way to authenticate.
Who Can Get BankID
Banks set their own policies, but the general rule is straightforward:
- You need a Norwegian personal ID number and a customer relationship with a bank that issues BankID.
- You must pass the bank’s ID verification process. For most foreigners, that means bringing a valid passport to a branch or completing an approved digital passport scan if your bank supports it.
- Age rules vary by bank. Some allow teenagers to get BankID with parental consent. Adults can apply on their own.
A common point of confusion is the D-number. Some banks can start a limited relationship with a D-number, but full BankID typically requires a permanent Norwegian personal ID number. If you only have a D-number, ask the bank what they can offer and when they will upgrade you after you receive your personal ID number.
The Prerequisites Before You Apply
If you are moving to Norway for work or study, you will likely follow this order:
- Register your move and get a personal ID number. This goes through the Norwegian Tax Administration and the National Registry. Your employer or school often explains the steps.
- Open a Norwegian bank account. Some banks accept online applications but still require an in-person visit for ID control. Bring your passport and residence documentation.
- Confirm that the bank issues BankID and that you are eligible. Most major Norwegian banks do.
Only after those pieces are in place will the bank actually create your BankID credentials.
Step-By-Step: How To Get BankID
This is how the process tends to look in real life:
- Choose a bank and become a customer. Submit an application, upload documents, and wait for the bank to run standard checks.
- Do the identity check. The bank will either book you for an in-branch passport scan or invite you to complete a digital ID verification if they offer it. Bring your physical passport even if you submitted scans online. Many banks cannot finalize BankID without seeing the original.
- Receive BankID activation details. After the bank approves you, they generate your BankID. You will either get an activation email or see an activation task inside your online bank.
- Set your personal BankID password. This is the secret you type each time you log in or sign. Choose something strong and unique.
- Install the BankID app. Download it from your phone’s app store and follow the setup steps to link it to your identity. You will enable Face ID or fingerprint inside the app.
- Test a login. The easiest test is your own online bank. You will type your personal ID number, enter your BankID password, then confirm the prompt in the app with your face or fingerprint. When that works, try logging into a public service portal or your mobile carrier to make sure everything runs smoothly.
From this point, most logins in Norway become a two-step rhythm: you type your ID number and password in the website, then you approve the pop-up in your BankID app.
Getting BankID As a Foreigner
A few practical tips from years of helping international students, expats, and seasonal workers:
- Bring your passport to the branch, not just a national ID card. Norwegian banks are strict about passports for non-Norwegian citizens. It saves you a second trip.
- Expect a real person to look at your documents. Even with digital onboarding, many banks still do a face-to-face ID check for foreigners before issuing BankID.
- Your BankID lives with you, not only your bank. If you later change banks, you will usually keep your BankID, although the new bank may need to connect the relationship.
- If you only have a D-number, ask the bank what is possible now and what will change once your personal ID number arrives. Some services remain out of reach until that upgrade.
- Get a Norwegian SIM if possible. It is not a formal requirement for BankID, but having a Norwegian phone number makes app setup and SMS security alerts much easier.
Setting Up And Using The BankID App
The app is clean and fast when it is configured right:
- Enable biometrics. Do this during onboarding so you can approve prompts with Face ID or a fingerprint.
- Allow notifications. BankID will send push prompts for approvals. If notifications are off, you need to open the app manually during login.
- Keep your phone updated. Old operating systems can cause odd errors. Update iOS or Android when the phone asks.
- Remember the password. The app replaces the old code device, but you still need the BankID password. If you forget it, you must reset through your bank.
If you get a new phone, install the app, then follow your bank’s reactivation path. You may need to log in once with an alternative method or contact customer support to link the new device.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Here are the issues I see most often and how they are usually resolved:
- Wrong password or too many attempts. Your BankID can be temporarily blocked. Use the bank’s reset flow or call support. They will verify you and unlock or issue a reset.
- “Identification failed” or timeouts. Check that notifications are allowed and that your phone has data coverage. Open the app manually if the push did not arrive.
- App installed, but approvals do not show. Log out and back in to the website you are trying to access, or update the BankID app. If that does not help, reinstall the app and reactivate.
- New passport or name change. Tell your bank. Your identity details must match across the board for BankID to function reliably.
- New phone, old number. Usually easy: reinstall and reactivate. If you also changed phone number, your bank might ask extra questions during reactivation.
If nothing works, contact your bank’s customer service. Only your bank can manage your BankID and they see the exact error on their side.
Safety And Scam Awareness
Norway is generally safe, but scammers try anyway:
- Never share your BankID password with anyone. Banks will never ask for it over phone, chat, or email.
- Do not approve a BankID prompt you did not initiate. If a pop-up appears when you are not logging in, deny it and contact your bank.
- Beware of fake support calls. A common trick is someone claiming to be from your bank or the police. Hang up, then call your bank on the number you find yourself.
- Keep your phone locked and do not store your BankID password in clear text.
Treat BankID like your real passport. A little paranoia is healthy.
Timing: How Long Does It Take
For Norwegians upgrading from youth accounts, it can be same-day. For newcomers, it depends on when your personal ID number arrives, how quickly your bank can verify your passport, and the bank’s internal checks. Realistically, people who plan well and bring the right documents often get BankID within a few days of becoming a full bank customer.
Can You Have BankID From Multiple Banks
You only need one. Many of us keep BankID from our main bank and use it everywhere. If you open a new account somewhere else, you can still use the same BankID to log in to that new bank, or the new bank can issue their own. It does not double your identity; it just gives you another path to authenticate.
What If You Do Not Qualify Yet
If you are in Norway temporarily and cannot get a personal ID number, it is still worth opening a basic account if a bank offers you one, then asking what the path to BankID looks like once your status changes. Meanwhile, you can often use MinID or other lighter login methods for some public services. They do not replace BankID for banking or electronic signatures, but they can help with everyday tasks until your BankID is ready.
Quick Checklist To Make It Smooth
- Personal ID number ready
- Valid passport in your bag
- Proof of address or residence documents if the bank asks
- Norwegian phone number if you have one
- Time booked for an ID check at the branch
- BankID app preinstalled so you can activate on the spot
With those pieces in place, getting BankID is mostly about letting the bank do their job. Once it is active, you will use it constantly, often without thinking about it. And that is the point. BankID fades into the background and lets you get on with normal life in Norway.