Best Bank Accounts for International Students in Norway

2 hours ago

0 578 6 minutes read

table of contents

Best Bank Accounts for International Students in Norway

Opening a Norwegian bank account makes student life considerably easier. You can use it to pay rent and bills, receive wages or scholarship payments, obtain a debit card, and access services such as BankID and Vipps.

The challenge for international students is that some Norwegian banks expect applicants to already have BankID, while newly arrived students may only have a foreign passport and a D-number.

This guide compares the best bank accounts for international students in Norway in 2026, focusing on fees, age limits, digital banking, debit cards, and accessibility for newcomers.

Information checked: August 2, 2026. Bank fees and eligibility rules may change, so verify the current terms before applying.

Best Bank Accounts for International Students in Norway

The strongest options are:

Nordea Student: Best dedicated student banking package
DNB Ung: Best for international students aged 18–28
SpareBank 1 SMN: Best for branch-based applications without BankID
SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge: Best for accessing digital banking without BankID
Sbanken or Bulder: Best considered after obtaining BankID

There is no single account that is best for every student. The right bank depends mainly on your age, location, Norwegian identification number, and whether you already have BankID.

1. Nordea Student Account: Best Overall Student Package

Nordea offers one of Norway’s clearest banking packages specifically for students aged between 18 and 33.

The student package includes free access to Min dagligbank, Nordea’s everyday banking package. It normally provides:

A current account
One debit card
Mobile and online banking
Mobile payment options
Access to BankID, subject to approval
Priority when contacting customer service
Student-related insurance and financial offers

Nordea states that registered student customers receive Min dagligbank without the standard monthly package fee. The included student debit card also has no annual fee.

Nordea Student eligibility

You normally need to:

Be between 18 and 33 years old
Be a student, pupil, apprentice, or completing military service
Hold a Nordea current account
Register as a student customer
Provide an 11-digit Norwegian identification number

Possible costs

Although the student package and debit card can be free, other charges may apply. Nordea currently lists a 2% foreign exchange markup for card payments and cash withdrawals processed in another currency.

Best for: Students aged 18–33 who have received a Norwegian national identity number and want a complete fee-free student package.

2. DNB Ung: Best for Students Aged 18–28

DNB is a practical option for newly arrived students because it provides dedicated information and an application process for people who are new to Norway.

Its Ung package is available to customers aged 18–28 and includes:

A current account
A Visa debit card
Online and mobile banking
No annual package fee
Benefits and discounts
Travel insurance when the payment conditions are satisfied

DNB states that the Ung Visa card and current account have no annual fee. Travel insurance may apply when at least half of the qualifying travel cost is paid using the account or card.

Why DNB may suit international students

International students without an existing BankID can start through DNB’s newcomer application procedure. Depending on their status, applicants may need:

A valid passport
A D-number or national identity number
A residence permit
Proof of their Norwegian address
Confirmation of study
Tax residency information

DNB explains how newcomers can obtain the relevant Norwegian identification number and complete the process after arriving in Norway.

Students over 28 should check the fees for DNB’s regular adult customer package because the current Ung offer is specifically promoted to people aged 18–28.

Best for: Newly arrived students aged 18–28 who value English-language newcomer guidance and a large branch and ATM network.

3. SpareBank 1 SMN: Best for Applying Without BankID

SpareBank 1 is an alliance of regional Norwegian banks. The exact account fees and application procedures differ between regions.

SpareBank 1 SMN serves central Norway, including Trondheim, where many international students live. It provides a specific application route for adults who do not have BankID.

The process generally involves:

Completing an electronic application form
Waiting for the bank to prepare the agreements
Visiting a branch with valid identification
Signing the banking agreements
Receiving a current account and debit card

SpareBank 1 SMN says that the account is normally opened within one week after the agreements have been signed. However, it currently charges NOK 500 to establish a customer relationship without BankID.

Its published price list also shows that annual debit-card fees may apply to adult customers, depending on the card type.

This means it may not be the cheapest account, but its branch-based procedure can be helpful for students who cannot complete a fully digital application.

Best for: International students living in central Norway who need personal assistance and do not yet have BankID.

4. SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge: Best Alternative Login Without BankID

SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge can be useful for international students living in southern or western Norway.

The bank explains that customers who cannot use BankID may visit a local branch with a D-number and valid identification. The bank can then establish an alternative login method for its online and mobile banking services.

Accepted identification may include:

A foreign passport
An EEA national identity card meeting the bank’s conditions
A Norwegian immigrant’s passport
A Norwegian refugee travel document

A residence card alone is not treated as valid identification for this procedure.

Because SpareBank 1 banks operate regionally, check whether the bank has convenient branches near your university before applying.

Best for: Students in southern and western Norway who need mobile and online banking but cannot immediately obtain BankID.

Are Sbanken and Bulder Good for International Students?

Sbanken and Bulder offer modern app-based banking, but they are usually better as secondary options after you have opened your first Norwegian account.

Both banks currently require BankID during the digital customer-registration process.

A newly arrived international student without BankID may therefore find it easier to begin with DNB, Nordea, or a regional SpareBank 1 branch.

After receiving BankID, you can compare digital banks based on:

Debit-card fees
Savings interest
Foreign exchange charges
Mobile app features
ATM withdrawal fees
International transfer costs

Do International Students Need a Credit History?

A local credit history is generally not required to open a basic current account with a debit card. The money spent using a debit card is taken directly from the account.

Norwegian banking industry guidance states that basic banking services are, in principle, available to people living in Norway regardless of citizenship. These services include a bank account, debit card, and online banking.

However, the bank will carry out identity and anti-money-laundering checks. Credit history and income become more important when applying for:

A credit card
An overdraft
A personal loan
Consumer financing
A mortgage

Opening a current account does not guarantee approval for BankID or credit products.

Documents Required to Open a Student Bank Account

Prepare the following before applying:

A valid passport or accepted EEA identity card
Norwegian national identity number or D-number
Residence permit or EU/EEA registration documentation
Proof of your Norwegian address
University admission or enrolment confirmation
Norwegian and foreign tax identification details
Phone number and email address
Information about scholarships, savings, wages, or other sources of funds

Norwegian banks must verify your identity and understand why you need the account and how you expect to use it.

How to Choose the Best Norwegian Student Account

Before submitting an application, compare:

Monthly and annual fees: A free package can save several hundred kroner per year.
Age eligibility: Nordea’s student offer covers ages 18–33, while DNB Ung currently covers ages 18–28.
BankID requirements: Avoid digital-only banks when you do not yet have BankID.
Foreign currency fees: This matters when travelling or using the card outside Norway.
Branch access: A physical branch can simplify identity verification.
International transfers: Compare fees if you regularly receive or send money abroad.
English support: Check whether applications, mobile banking, and customer service are available in English.

Final Verdict

Nordea Student is the best overall account for eligible international students aged 18–33 because its student package includes everyday banking and one debit card without the normal package fee.

DNB Ung is the strongest option for students aged 18–28, especially those who want clear newcomer guidance and a major nationwide bank.

Students without BankID who need a branch-based application should consider the relevant SpareBank 1 regional bank, but they must check onboarding and debit-card fees carefully.

Apply for a basic current account first. After obtaining BankID and settling in Norway, you can compare savings accounts and digital banks more easily.

Best Bank Accounts for International Students in Norway

Best Bank Accounts for International Students in Norway