Does BankID work without a Norwegian SIM card?
The BankID app, foreign numbers, eSIM and changing SIM card.
Short answer
Yes, the BankID app works without a Norwegian SIM card and can be activated with a phone number from many countries, as long as your Norwegian bank has that number. BankID lists several European countries, the USA and Australia. The older SIM-based BankID on mobile is different: Ice warns that it disappears when you change SIM card.
Why
- BankID says you can activate the BankID app with a foreign phone number, but the number must be registered as contact information with your bank.
- You need a BankID agreement with a Norwegian bank, and the app can only be on one device at a time.
- Telia says that with the BankID app, BankID works just as well with an eSIM as with a physical SIM card, at no cost.
Details
The app needs iOS 15 or Android 8 or newer. To activate it you need an active BankID with a code device and your BankID password, and activation can also use a scan of your passport or national ID card. If the digital ID check fails, contact your bank.
Tip
Before you move abroad or switch to a foreign SIM card, register the new number with your bank and activate the BankID app while your current setup still works.
What may differ
If your country is not on BankID's list, ask your bank about other ways to get one-time codes, such as a code device.
Common misconception
BankID only works with a Norwegian SIM card.
What actually happens
That applies to the old SIM-based BankID on mobile. The BankID app can be activated with a foreign number from a list of supported countries.
People also ask
- Does BankID work abroad?
- Does BankID work after changing SIM card?
Sources
- BankID: The app with a foreign phone numberChecked at:
- BankID: Get started with the appChecked at:
- Telia: eSIMChecked at:
- Ice: eSIMChecked at:
- BankID: Code device or appChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check with your bank or BankID before you travel.
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