Norway's 11-digit personal identity number — required for tax registration, banking, property purchase, and access to public services. Expats must register with Folkeregisteret to receive one.
The fodselsnummer (literally "birth number") is Norway's 11-digit personal identity number, issued to all residents registered in the Norwegian Population Register (Folkeregisteret), administered by the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten). The number encodes the holder's date of birth (DDMMYY) followed by a five-digit personal number including two check digits. Every Norwegian citizen receives a fodselsnummer at birth; EEA citizens and non-EEA nationals must register as residents to receive one.
For expats and foreign investors, the fodselsnummer is the gateway to Norwegian financial and administrative life. It is required to open a Norwegian bank account, file Norwegian income tax, register a Norwegian company, purchase property and have the ownership registered in Kartverket (the Norwegian Mapping and Cadastral Authority), and access Norwegian public health services. Without a fodselsnummer, basic tasks such as signing a lease or setting up a Norwegian mobile phone contract are complicated.
EEA citizens exercising free movement rights who intend to live in Norway must register with the local police district (for stays over three months) and then apply for population registration at the local tax office or by post to Skatteetaten. Required documents include a valid passport, evidence of the reason for residence, and a Norwegian address. The fodselsnummer is issued within a few weeks of registration.
Non-EEA nationals require a Norwegian residence permit from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) before they can register for a fodselsnummer. If a non-EEA national has a short-term connection to Norway — such as owning Norwegian property without residence — they may instead receive a D-number (D-nummer): a temporary personal identifier used for tax and banking.
The fodselsnummer is used by Kartverket for property ownership registration. Foreign buyers who are not Norwegian residents use a D-nummer for the purchase and for paying the dokumentavgift. Norwegian property lawyers (advokater) routinely assist foreign buyers in obtaining D-numbers and registering ownership.
Yes. Non-resident buyers obtain a D-nummer (D-number) for the property purchase. Your Norwegian property lawyer (advokat) can assist with the D-nummer application. The D-nummer is sufficient for Kartverket registration and Norwegian tax filings for non-residents.
Register your residency at the local Politiet (police) office if you plan to stay more than three months, then apply for population registration at Skatteetaten. Bring your passport, proof of address, and evidence of your basis for residence.
A fodselsnummer is issued to persons registered as residents in Norway. A D-nummer is a temporary identifier for persons with a legal connection to Norway but not resident status. Both serve as tax identifiers; the fodselsnummer additionally grants access to Norwegian welfare systems and BankID.
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