D-number and Birth Number (Personal Number) in Norway

Introduction / Who is it for

In Norway, everyone needs an identification number to work, open a bank account, sign a rental agreement, and for almost all formalities. There are two types:

• D-number (temporary number) — for individuals staying in Norway for less than 6 months or without a permanent address
• Fødselsnummer / Personnummer (permanent number, "11 digits") — for residents (stay of 6+ months)

Both have 11 digits, but only the fødselsnummer grants full resident rights.

D-number — step by step

You can obtain a D-number through:

1. Employer — the most common route. The employer applies for the D-number at Skatteetaten after signing the contract.
2. Bank — some banks (DNB, Nordea) apply for a D-number when opening an account.
3. Self-application — fill out the Skatteetaten form and submit it in person at the tax office.

Required documents (for self-application)

• Valid passport
• Polish birth certificate with apostille and translation into English or Norwegian
• Marriage certificate (if applicable) with apostille + translation
• Documents confirming the purpose of stay in Norway (employment contract, letter from the university)

Time

D-number: 2-4 weeks. You will receive a letter from Skatteetaten.

Fødselsnummer (personal number) — step by step

As an EU citizen (Pole), you can become a Norwegian resident after registering your stay. The procedure:

1. Live in Norway for at least 6 months — exposure requirement
2. Register in person at Skatteetaten with:
   • Valid passport
   • Birth certificate (apostille + translation)
   • Marriage certificate, if applicable
   • Documents proving your address in Norway (rental agreement, bills)
   • Employment contract / employer's declaration
3. Submit an application — form "Bestilling av personnummer / D-nummer"
4. Wait 2-8 weeks
5. You will receive a letter with your fødselsnummer

Folkeregister (registration of residence)

Along with the fødselsnummer, you register in the Folkeregister (population register). As a resident, you have access to:

• BankID — universal online authentication (banks, authorities)
• Helsenorge — online health system
• Altinn — online tax settlements
• Norwegian passport (after naturalization, 7+ years of residence)

Costs

Obtaining a D-number and fødselsnummer is FREE.

Translations and apostille

Polish documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate) MUST be:

• Marked with apostille — issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland, fee 60 PLN
• Translated by a sworn translator into Norwegian or English

Cost of apostille + translation: ~200-400 PLN per document.

Common mistakes

• Applying for a fødselsnummer before a 6-month stay — rejection
• Missing apostille on Polish documents — rejection
• Regular translation instead of sworn translation
• Applying for both numbers simultaneously — choose one according to your situation
• Skipping registration in the Folkeregister — blocks BankID and many other services

What to do after obtaining fødselsnummer

• BankID — set up through a bank; a universal key to all Norwegian services
• Skattekort — tax card, linked to the payroll system
• Helfo — registration in the health system; assign a fastlege (family doctor)
• NAV — registration at the employment office (if you are looking for a job)