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How do I get a Norwegian phone number as a newcomer?

Prepaid SIM, ID rules and when a subscription needs a national ID number.

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Short answer

As a newcomer, you can get a Norwegian number with a prepaid SIM card, which has to be registered to a named user before you can use it. Telia sells starter packs for NOK 99 and registers them in its shops if you have no BankID. Ice asks for a Norwegian national identity number before you order a subscription.

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Why

  1. Telia says a prepaid starter pack must be registered to the person who will use it, and registering online requires BankID.
  2. The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) says a passport, national ID card or driving licence is enough as proof of identity when you sign up.
  3. Norwegian mobile numbers have eight digits and start with 4 or 9, according to Nkom's numbering plan.

Details

Telia's NOK 99 starter pack is sold in Telia shops, Power and Elkjøp and includes free calls, SMS and MMS plus 250 MB of data for 14 days. A NOK 29 pack with NOK 30 of credit is sold at Narvesen and 7-Eleven, and Telia's prepaid data packs range from 3 to 50 GB for 31 days. Ice says it needs your national identity number to run a credit check before a subscription.

Tip

If you do not have BankID yet, buy the starter pack in a Telia shop and bring your passport, so the card can be registered there.

What may differ

If you later move to a subscription with another operator, order it from the new operator and give your current number. Nkom says you lose the right to keep your number if you cancel the old agreement yourself first.

People also ask

  • How do I get a Norwegian mobile number?
  • Can I get a virtual Norwegian phone number?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check your mobile operator before you buy a SIM card.

Communication and Internet

  • How much mobile data do I need for a trip to Norway?

    How much mobile data you need in Norway depends mostly on video, since one hour of Netflix in HD can use up to 3 GB.

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  • Does BankID work without a Norwegian SIM card?

    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.

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  • How fast is the internet in Norway?

    Fixed internet in Norway averaged a download speed of 167 Mbit/s in 2025, according to Nkom's Nettfart measurements, and over 96 percent of households can get gigabit broadband.

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  • Is there Wi-Fi on trains, buses and ferries in Norway?

    Vy offers free Wi-Fi on its regional trains and most local trains, Vy Express has free Wi-Fi on most buses, and Hurtigruten has free Wi-Fi on all its ships.

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