How do I get my first credit card in Norway as a newcomer?
ID number, age, credit check and how to apply.
Short answer
As a newcomer you normally need a Norwegian national identity number first, and then you apply to a bank, which checks your age, income, debt and payment record. SpareBank 1, for example, requires you to be over 18 and have no payment remarks. You get a national identity number if you will live in Norway for at least six months.
Why
- SpareBank 1 says that to get unsecured credit you must be over 18 and have a Norwegian national identity number, and you cannot have payment remarks.
- Bank Norwegian requires applicants to be over 18 with no payment remarks, and its credit assessment looks at how much you earn and how much debt you have.
- The Norwegian Tax Administration issues a national identity number to people who will live in Norway for at least six months, and others may get a D number.
Details
SpareBank 1 and DNB take credit card applications online. Bank Norwegian offers up to NOK 150,000 in credit, and SpareBank 1, Bank Norwegian and DNB charge no annual fee on their standard credit cards. The Tax Administration also points out that you need a Norwegian identification number to open a bank account.
Tip
Ask for a modest limit at first: SpareBank 1 and DNB let you raise or lower the credit limit later in the mobile bank or online bank.
What may differ
If you will stay in Norway for less than six months, you may only get a D number, and banks that ask for a national identity number, such as SpareBank 1, may then turn down a credit card application.
People also ask
- Can foreigners get a credit card in Norway?
- Do I need a Norwegian ID number to get a credit card?
Sources
- SpareBank 1: Credit cardChecked at:
- Bank Norwegian: Credit cardChecked at:
- Norwegian Tax Administration: Identification numbers in NorwayChecked at:
- DNB: MastercardChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the bank's own terms before you apply.
Bank cards and fees: how to pay lessRelated questions
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How do I find the IBAN for my Norwegian bank account?
You find the IBAN for your Norwegian account in your bank's online bank or app under the account details, and also on your account statement.
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Why did my hotel or car rental company block money on my card in Norway?
Hotels and car rental companies reserve money on your card as security, and the reservation is released once the final amount is settled.
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How do I pay a Norwegian invoice with a KID number from abroad?
To pay a Norwegian invoice from abroad, make an international transfer to the payee's IBAN and BIC and enter the KID number as the payment reference.
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Do Norwegian banks charge an annual fee for debit cards?
Yes, banks such as DNB charge an annual fee for an adult debit card, currently NOK 295 a year, while cards for children and young people are free.