🏦 Bank account for foreigners: steps, documents and first payments
Disclaimer: overview, not legal/financial advice. Procedures and requirements vary depending on the bank and your status. Check the current rules on the websites of the bank and government agencies.
🚪 Where to start: address, identification, registering with a bank
What you need: a local identification number (national or D-number) — banks and services will ask for this. It is the basic key to your account and most services.
Where to get a D-number: for those who are visiting ‘temporarily,’ the D-number is issued by the Tax Administration; sometimes the bank or employer initiates the request, after which an in-person identity check (ID check) at the tax office is required.
Make an appointment at a branch: Many banks open an account after in-person identification and address/contract verification. Oslo provides useful information for opening your first account and basic banking services.
Proof of address: rental agreement/letter from the municipality/employment contract — check with your bank to see which formats they accept.
📂 Types of accounts and cards (overview)
- Current account + debit card. Base for salary and payments.
- Salary/settlement account. May be the same account — depends on the bank.
- Separate card ‘just in case’. Useful as a backup in case the main card is blocked.
Tip: open one ‘everyday’ account in the first month and activate online banking. You can expand your range of products later.
🔑 Digital identification and online banking
To fully use government services and banking, you will need electronic identification: MinID/BankID. You can obtain it after being assigned an identification number (national number or D-number).
BankID app — standard for logging in/signing in to banks; activation is done through the bank and can be linked to a verified phone number.
Vipps (payment app) is convenient for transfers by phone number, but to connect you usually need: BankID, a Norwegian number, a registered address and an account with a local bank.
💰 First payments: rent, deposit, communications
🏘 Rental deposit (depositumskonto)
- Where it is kept: in a separate blocked deposit account in the tenant's name; interest usually goes to the tenant.
- Who pays for opening the account: the cost of opening the account is borne by the landlord by law (banks have a fee, e.g. NOK 500 at DNB).
- Limit: the deposit is usually no more than six months' rent.
If you are not yet able to open a deposit account, ask your landlord about a deposit guarantee as an alternative.
📱 Payments for communications/transport/housing and communal services
Set up automatic payments in your online bank:
- AvtaleGiro + eFaktura: issue and pay bills on time, with flexible settings for dates/amounts/debit accounts.
🛡 Security and fees
- Enable transaction notifications and limits for online purchases.
- Keep a second card separately as a ‘backup’ in case of loss or blocking.
- For deposit accounts, check that they are set up correctly (in your name, funds blocked until the end of the contract). Confirmations and disputes are handled according to the established procedure.
📋 Payment details templates and recurring payments
Cheat sheet for bill payment fields:
- Recipient (Mottaker)
- Account number/IBAN (Kontonummer/IBAN)
- Amount and payment date (Beløp/Forfallsdato)
- Message/reference (sometimes KID — take it from the account)
- For regular payments, activate eFaktura/AvtaleGiro in your online bank and check the first receipt.
✅ Quick route (mini checklist)
Before visiting the bank
- Passport/residence permit, D-number/ID number, proof of address, employment/student contract, local phone number.
On site
- Open a current account + debit card, connect online banking and the BankID app.
Immediately after
- Set up a deposit account for rent (through your landlord) and AvtaleGiro/eFaktura direct debits for utilities/housing.
❓ FAQ
Bring passport/residence permit, D-number or national ID number, proof of address (rental contract/municipality letter/work contract), and a local phone number. Book an appointment at a branch — most banks require in-person ID check before opening your first account.
Begin with a basic current account and debit card. Banks accept D-number as identification, even for newcomers. Ask your employer/landlord if they can help confirm your address. Afterward, activate BankID for digital access.
One everyday account + debit card is enough for salary and payments. Optionally, a second debit card as backup is useful. Other products (credit cards, savings) can wait until you’ve settled.
By law, the landlord pays the fee to open a blocked deposit account in your name. Funds are locked until the rental contract ends, and interest belongs to you. Always ensure the account is registered under your name — never transfer deposit money directly to the landlord’s personal account.
Use AvtaleGiro (automatic withdrawals) and eFaktura (digital invoices) in your online bank. Register them once, then bills are paid automatically by due date. Always double-check the first invoice before letting payments run on autopilot.
