Personal and D-numbers

Personal Number

A Personal Number (Personnummer) is the equivalent of a personal identification number or Social Security number. It is an 11-digit number, where the first 6 numbers reflect your birthdate (e.g.  if your birthdate is 1st Jan 1985, your personal number will be 010185 XXXXX).

The doorway to the Norwegian society for foreigners is through this personal number which is issued by the local tax office. You must meet in person at your local tax office where they will register you as a resident in Norway, and award you with your personal number (arrives to your registered residential address within 10 days to 4 weeks).

The personal number is the pre-requisite to:

  • opening a bank account
  • paying taxes
  • gaining access to public health services
  • purchase of internet/mobile phone subscriptions
  • application for conversion of your foreign driving license or application for a Norwegian driving license

D-Number

If you will be residing for lesser than 6 months in Norway, you will be given a D-number (dummy number). These numbers are similar to the personal numbers, but does not contain one’s date of birth.

If you have not previously been given a D-number, you will be assigned a D-number when you apply for a tax deduction card. Once you have a D-number, you must use the same number in all contexts where your personal number or D-number is requested.

Sign Up as an Online User

As an online user you can communicate with the public authorities and receive information, no matter where you are.

You will be notified by text message or e-mail when your tax return or tax settlement is ready, and other important information sent from the public offices.
More information here.

Mailbox
Be sure to list the names of all family members on your mailbox so that important documents will get to you.