Your First Week in Norway
Din første uke i Norge
Why this matters
Before you can open a bank account, get a SIM card, or rent a flat, you need official Norwegian identity documents. This situation covers the exact steps: registering at Folkeregisteret and getting a D-number.
Key Vocabulary
folkeregisteret
FOL-ke-re-gi-ste-ret
the national population register
D-nummer
DEE-num-mer
D-number (temporary ID for non-residents)
personnummer
per-SHOON-num-mer
national identity number (permanent)
skatteetaten
SKAT-te-e-ta-ten
the tax administration
legitimasjon
le-gi-ti-ma-SHOON
ID / proof of identity
pass
pass
passport
oppholdstillatelse
op-HOLDS-til-la-tel-se
residence permit
arbeidskontrakt
AR-bayds-kon-trakt
employment contract
bostedsadresse
BOO-steds-a-dres-se
residential address
kø
køø
queue / waiting line
time
TEE-me
appointment
bestille time
be-STIL-le TEE-me
to book an appointment
bankkonto
BANK-kon-to
bank account
nettbank
NET-bank
online banking
BankID
BANK-ee-dee
Norwegian digital ID system
Cultural Tips
Everything starts with your ID number
Norway runs on personnummer and D-nummer. You cannot open a bank account, sign a lease, get a mobile plan, or register with a GP without one. Prioritise this above everything else in your first week.
Skatteetaten, not the embassy
Getting a D-number is done at a Skatteetaten ID-control office (not the police or an embassy). You must show up in person with original documents — scans are not accepted. Book online at skatteetaten.no before you arrive.
BankID is your master key
Once you have a bank account and BankID, almost every Norwegian public service is accessible online. Without BankID you will need physical appointments for things that everyone else does in 2 minutes on a phone.
DNB and Sbanken accept newcomers
Many Norwegian banks require you to already have a bank account before opening one (circular, but real). DNB and Nordea have dedicated newcomer programs. Bring your D-number, contract of employment, and passport.
Key Phrases
Jeg ønsker å registrere meg i folkeregisteret.
I would like to register with the national population register.
At Skatteetaten counter
Jeg trenger et D-nummer.
I need a D-number.
At Skatteetaten
Kan jeg bestille en time?
Can I book an appointment?
On the phone or online
Hvilke dokumenter trenger jeg?
Which documents do I need?
Asking an official
Jeg har nettopp flyttet til Norge.
I have just moved to Norway.
General context-setting
Jeg jobber for [bedrift].
I work for [company].
When explaining why you need an ID
Kan du skrive det ned?
Can you write that down?
When you miss something
Jeg forstår ikke. Kan du snakke saktere?
I don't understand. Can you speak more slowly?
Any counter or phone call
Practical Steps
Book a Skatteetaten ID-kontroll appointment
Go to skatteetaten.no and book an identity control slot. Offices in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim — select the nearest one. Slots fill fast; book as soon as you land.
Gather your original documents
Bring: valid passport, employment contract or offer letter, signed lease agreement or hotel booking as proof of address, and residence permit if required for your nationality.
Attend the Skatteetaten appointment in person
You cannot send anyone else. The official will verify originals and issue your D-number on the spot or by post within a few days.
Open a bank account
Visit DNB or Nordea with your D-number, passport, and employment contract. Ask specifically for the "nykommer" (newcomer) package.
Activate BankID
Once your account is active, ask the bank to set up BankID on mobile (BankID på mobil). This requires a Norwegian phone number.
Register your address if staying long-term
If you will live in Norway for more than 6 months, register your bostedsadresse at Skatteetaten. This upgrades your D-nummer to a permanent personnummer.