Best Bank Accounts for International Students Without Local Credit History in Norway
Best Bank Accounts for International Students Without Local Credit History in Norway
International students can usually open a Norwegian current account without having an established Norwegian credit history. For an account funded with the student’s own money, banks focus mainly on identity verification, Norwegian identification numbers, residence information and the expected source of funds.
The best bank accounts for international students without local credit history in Norway include DNB Ung, SpareBank 1 student accounts and Nordea’s student banking services.
A Norwegian credit assessment becomes more relevant when applying for a credit card, overdraft, personal loan or other borrowing facility.
Last updated: July 26, 2026
Best Bank Accounts for International Students Without Local Credit History in Norway
Our leading choices are:
- DNB Ung: Best overall for students aged 18–28.
- SpareBank 1: Best for students with foreign passports or no BankID.
- Nordea Student Banking: Best for a fee-free student debit card.
- DNB Standard Account: Best for older students who need English-language support.
- Basic Banking Services: Best fallback when extra products are refused.
1. DNB Ung
Best overall for students and young adults aged 18–28
DNB Ung includes a current account, debit card and internet banking without an annual package fee.
Its principal features include:
- Current account.
- Bank card.
- Online and mobile banking.
- No annual account-package fee.
- Travel-insurance benefits when the applicable payment conditions are met.
- Optional Mastercard application.
DNB currently offers Ung to customers aged 18–28 and lists an annual package fee of NOK 0.
Why it suits international students
The basic account and debit card use money already deposited in the account. This means the absence of Norwegian borrowing history should not automatically prevent a student from applying.
DNB also has a dedicated process for newcomers who do not yet have BankID. The application is reviewed manually, and the applicant may be asked to visit a DNB branch or provide further documentation. The current onboarding fee for adults using this process is NOK 650.
BankID limitation
DNB requires a Norwegian national identity number before it will issue BankID. Customers holding only a D-number can instead log in to DNB’s online banking through the “Without BankID” option using a code device and personal PIN.
Verdict: The strongest overall option for students under 29 who want a major Norwegian bank and a clear onboarding route without existing BankID.
2. SpareBank 1 Student or Youth Account
Best for students with foreign passports or no BankID
SpareBank 1 is an alliance of regional Norwegian banks. Account fees and student benefits vary depending on the regional bank selected.
Several SpareBank 1 banks allow foreign adults without BankID to begin the application through an electronic form and then complete identification at a branch.
SpareBank 1 SMN asks applicants with foreign passports to bring valid identification together with supporting documents such as a residence permit, registration certificate or employment contract. After the agreements are signed, the bank states that it creates the account and issues a debit card.
Why it suits international students
SpareBank 1 can be useful when:
- Your foreign passport is unsupported by automated verification.
- You hold a D-number.
- You need help at a local branch.
- You study outside Oslo.
- You want a Norwegian account and debit card before obtaining BankID.
Onboarding fees vary
SpareBank 1 SMN currently charges NOK 500 for becoming a customer without BankID. SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge charges NOK 650 for its corresponding service.
Regional card and account fees can also differ, so students should review the price list of the exact SpareBank 1 institution serving their city.
Verdict: The best option for students who need manual identity verification and access to a regional bank branch.
3. Nordea Student Banking
Best for a fee-free student debit card
Nordea publishes separate pricing for its student debit card.
Current student-card conditions include:
- No annual card fee.
- Free purchases in Norway.
- Free purchases abroad.
- Free ATM withdrawals in Norway.
- Free ATM withdrawals abroad before any independent ATM-owner fee.
- No charge for cash deposits or withdrawals through certain included services.
A 2% currency surcharge applies to foreign-currency payments and withdrawals. Assisted cash withdrawals at a branch currently cost NOK 35 plus 0.50% of the amount.
Why it suits students without credit history
A student debit card withdraws money directly from the connected current account. It is different from a credit card, which allows the customer to borrow money from the bank.
Nordea must still verify the applicant’s identity and may ask for residence, tax and source-of-funds information. Credit products remain subject to separate approval.
Verdict: A competitive choice for eligible students who want a debit card without an annual card fee.
4. DNB Standard Current Account
Best for postgraduate students above the Ung age limit
Students aged 29 or older can still apply for a standard DNB customer relationship.
DNB provides:
- Norwegian current accounts.
- Debit cards.
- Online and mobile banking.
- English-language information.
- A newcomer application without existing BankID.
- Alternative online-banking login for customers holding a D-number.
New arrivals must verify their identity. DNB states that newcomers may need to present valid proof of identity and documentation at a branch. A Norwegian identification number is also needed to establish the customer relationship.
Verdict: A practical choice for older master’s, doctoral and exchange students who need English-language support from a major Norwegian bank.
5. Basic Banking Services
Best fallback if a student package is unavailable
Finance Norway states that basic banking services are generally available to everyone living in Norway regardless of citizenship.
These services include:
- Bank account.
- Debit card without a photograph.
- Online banking access.
Loans, credit cards, BankID and other additional services may be offered only after the bank completes a risk-based assessment.
This distinction is important: a bank may approve your basic current account while refusing a credit card or BankID application.
Ask specifically for basic banking services when a bank employee says you do not qualify for the institution’s complete customer package.
Do You Need a Norwegian Identification Number?
Yes. A Norwegian national identity number or D-number is generally required to open a Norwegian bank account.
A D-number may be issued to foreign citizens who do not qualify for a national identity number. You cannot normally request it yourself merely for banking purposes, but a bank or another authorised organisation can request one on your behalf. The Tax Administration may also require a certified identity-document copy or an in-person identity check.
Documents International Students Should Prepare
Banks may request:
- Valid foreign passport.
- Norwegian national identity number or D-number.
- Residence permit.
- Norwegian registration certificate.
- Norwegian residential and postal address.
- University admission or enrolment certificate.
- Foreign Tax Identification Number.
- Mobile number and email address.
- Scholarship letter or proof of family support.
- Foreign bank statements.
- Explanation of expected international transfers.
Banks must understand why you need the account and where the incoming money originates. Valid foreign passports are among the identity documents that may be accepted, although additional verification can be requested.
Which Services Require Creditworthiness Checks?
A local credit history is more likely to matter when requesting:
- Credit card.
- Authorised overdraft.
- Personal loan.
- Instalment financing.
- Deferred-payment service.
Basic banking services are separated from these credit products. Finance Norway confirms that banks may offer loans, credit cards and BankID only after completing an individual risk assessment.
International students should therefore begin with a positive-balance account and debit card.
How to Improve Your Chances of Approval
- Obtain a national identity number or valid D-number.
- Use the same name spelling on all documents.
- Bring your original passport.
- Provide a Norwegian address.
- Prepare proof of university enrolment.
- Explain how the account will be funded.
- Apply without an overdraft or credit card.
- Visit a branch when online verification fails.
- Keep your home-country TIN available.
Are Norwegian Deposits Protected?
Deposits at covered Norwegian banks are generally protected from the first krone up to NOK 2 million per depositor and bank.
If you hold several accounts at the same legal bank, their eligible balances are combined when calculating the NOK 2 million limit.
Final Recommendation
DNB Ung is the best overall account for international students aged 18–28 because it combines a free current account, debit card and online banking with a dedicated application route for customers without BankID.
Choose SpareBank 1 when you need regional branch support or manual verification of a foreign passport. Compare its regional banks carefully because onboarding and card fees vary.
Choose Nordea when its fee-free student debit card and international ATM conditions fit your needs.
The absence of Norwegian credit history should not prevent you from requesting a basic positive-balance account. Begin with a debit card and apply for credit products only after establishing income and a Norwegian banking record.
Official Sources
- DNB – Ung Banking Package
- DNB – Become a Customer Without BankID
- DNB – BankID Requirements
- SpareBank 1 SMN – New Customer With a Foreign Passport
- SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge – Become a Customer Without BankID
- Nordea – Debit and Credit Card Prices
- Finance Norway – Opening a Bank Account in Norway
- Norwegian Tax Administration – D-number
- Norwegian Banks’ Guarantee Fund – Deposit Protection
