How to Open a Bank Account in Norway as an International Student
Learning how to open a bank account in Norway as an international student is an important step after arriving in the country. A Norwegian account makes it easier to receive salary or scholarship payments, pay rent, use direct debits and manage daily expenses.
The process can take longer for students who do not have a Norwegian identification number or BankID. You will usually need a valid passport, a D number or national identity number, proof of residence and information about where your money comes from.
Can International Students Open a Bank Account in Norway?
Yes. Basic banking services are generally available to people living legally in Norway, regardless of citizenship.
Basic services normally include:
- Current or payment account
- Debit card
- Online banking
- Mobile banking access
- Domestic transfers and bill payments
BankID, credit cards, overdrafts and personal loans are separate services. The bank can approve a basic account without necessarily approving these additional products.
Step 1: Get a Norwegian Identification Number
You normally need a Norwegian identification number before opening a bank account.
Norway uses two types:
National Identity Number
A national identity number is usually issued to people registered as residents of Norway. International students staying for a longer period may receive one after completing the relevant residence-registration process.
D Number
A D number is a temporary Norwegian identification number for people who need access to Norwegian services but do not meet the requirements for a national identity number.
Opening a bank account is one accepted reason for receiving a D number. However, you cannot normally apply for one yourself. A bank, public authority or another authorized organisation must request it on your behalf.
When a bank requests a D number, you may need:
- Certified colour copy of your passport
- Passport showing your full name and photograph
- Date of birth and nationality
- Machine-readable passport zone
- Attendance at an official identity check
A certified passport copy normally cannot be older than three months. The bank or Tax Administration may also require an in-person identity appointment.
Step 2: Choose a Bank That Accepts Newcomers
Not every Norwegian bank uses the same onboarding procedure.
Before applying, check whether the bank:
- Accepts foreign passports
- Opens accounts for D-number holders
- Has a branch near your university
- Accepts applications without BankID
- Charges a customer-onboarding fee
- Offers student or young-customer packages
- Provides customer service in English
- Issues BankID to eligible foreign customers
Large banks such as DNB and several regional SpareBank 1 institutions publish specific application processes for customers without BankID.
DNB requires newly arrived customers with a foreign passport to submit an application and later verify their identity at a branch. Its published requirements include a D number and a residence permit or similar immigration document.
Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents
International students should normally prepare:
- Valid passport: Bring the original document to the branch.
- D number or national identity number: The bank needs a Norwegian identification number to register the account.
- Residence permit: Students from outside the EU or EEA should bring their residence card or permit decision.
- Norwegian address: Provide your current residential and postal address.
- University documentation: Bring your admission letter, enrollment certificate or student card.
- Foreign tax number: The bank may request the TIN used in your home country.
- Proof of funds: Prepare scholarship letters, bank statements, employment contracts or family-support evidence.
- Contact details: A Norwegian phone number and active email address may be required.
The bank can request additional documents depending on your nationality, tax residence and expected account activity.
Step 4: Complete the Customer Application
Students without BankID usually begin by completing an online application form.
You may be asked to explain:
- Why you need the account
- Whether you will receive salary or scholarships
- How much money you expect to deposit monthly
- Whether you will receive transfers from abroad
- Which countries you expect to send money to
- Where your savings or financial support come from
- Your current countries of tax residence
Norwegian banks are legally required to understand their customers and the expected use of their accounts. Incomplete or inconsistent answers can delay the application.
Describe your situation clearly. For example, you may state that you need the account to receive a scholarship, pay rent, manage living expenses and receive income from part-time employment.
Step 5: Attend the Identity Appointment
New international students commonly need to visit a bank branch.
Bring:
- Original passport
- Residence permit or residence card
- D number or national identity number
- University enrollment document
- Address documentation
- Any additional documents requested by the bank
The name, date of birth and other personal details must match across your documents.
DNB states that customers new to Norway must verify their identity at a local branch after submitting the initial application. Applicants who already have BankID from another Norwegian bank can normally complete the process much faster.
Step 6: Sign the Account Agreement
After completing the bank’s checks, you will sign an agreement covering:
- Current account
- Debit card
- Online and mobile banking
- Fees and transaction limits
- Personal-data processing
- International tax reporting
- Security responsibilities
Read the account’s complete price list before signing.
Check particularly:
- Annual debit-card fee
- ATM withdrawal charges
- Foreign-currency markup
- International transfer fees
- Replacement-card fee
- Monthly account fee
- Customer-onboarding fee
- Fee after student benefits expire
Some Norwegian banks offer free student or young-customer packages, but age limits and eligibility conditions differ.
Step 7: Order Your Debit Card
The account and debit card may not be activated at the same time. In some cases, the account opens first and the card must be ordered separately.
The debit card may be:
- Sent to your registered Norwegian address
- Collected from a bank branch
- Added to a supported mobile wallet
- Activated through mobile or online banking
Confirm that your postal address is correct before the card is issued.
Step 8: Apply for BankID
BankID is Norway’s primary electronic identification system. It is used to log in to banks, sign agreements and access many public and private digital services.
To obtain BankID, you must contact a Norwegian bank and satisfy its identification requirements. The official BankID guidance states that applicants normally present a passport and receive help from their bank with setting up the service.
Opening a bank account does not automatically guarantee BankID. The bank may apply stronger identity requirements than those used for a basic account.
A student who initially receives only an alternative login method can ask about BankID after establishing a customer relationship and completing the required identity checks.
How Long Does It Take?
The process can be completed quickly when you already have BankID.
Without BankID, it may take several weeks because the bank must:
- Review the application
- Verify immigration documents
- Confirm the D number
- Schedule a branch appointment
- Complete compliance checks
- Prepare the account and debit card
DNB states that its process for newcomers requiring branch identification can take up to four to six weeks.
Apply soon after receiving your Norwegian identification number. Do not wait until you urgently need an account for salary, rent or scholarship payments.
Why Can an Application Be Rejected?
A Norwegian bank may reject or delay an application when:
- The applicant cannot provide valid identification
- The residential address is missing
- The immigration documents are incomplete
- The bank cannot verify the source of funds
- The intended use of the account is unclear
- Tax-residency information is missing
- Documents contain conflicting personal details
Norwegian financial institutions must collect tax-residence information and may require a foreign TIN before opening the account. Failure to provide accurate information can prevent account opening or later lead to closure.
Final Checklist
Before applying, make sure you have:
- Valid original passport
- D number or national identity number
- Residence permit or residence card
- Norwegian residential address
- University enrollment confirmation
- Foreign tax identification number
- Proof of scholarship, employment or family support
- Norwegian telephone number
- Explanation of expected transactions
- Branch appointment when required
Final Verdict
The easiest way to open a bank account in Norway as an international student is to obtain your Norwegian identification number, choose a bank that accepts customers without BankID and prepare all identity, residence and tax documents before applying.
Expect to complete an online form followed by an in-person identity check. Once approved, you can receive a current account, debit card and online banking. BankID may be issued later if you satisfy the bank’s additional identification requirements.
Official Sources
- Finance Norway: How to Become a Bank Customer in Norway
- Norwegian Tax Administration: D Number Requirements
- DNB: How to Become a Customer When New to Norway
- BankID Norway: How to Get BankID
- Norwegian Tax Administration: Tax Information Required by Banks
