D-number (Norway)

Norway has two personal identification numbers. A national identity number goes to people who will live in Norway for at least six months or permanently. A D-number goes to foreign citizens who need a Norwegian number but do not meet those conditions, for example someone working in Norway for a few months. Both have 11 digits. In a D-number the first six digits are your date of birth with 4 added to the first digit, so 1 January 1985 becomes 410185, followed by three individual digits and two check digits.

You can meet the D-number at several points in a move to Norway:

• When you need a tax deduction card to be paid, before you are registered as resident.
• When a bank needs a Norwegian number to open an account.
• In the Health Personnel Register. Helsedirektoratet says many foreign-trained staff are registered without a national identity number or D-number, and must link one to their HPR number themselves.

If you move to Norway to live for six months or more, you will normally receive a national identity number instead, through an approved report of moving.

Skatteetaten is clear that you cannot apply for a D-number yourself. An enterprise or authority that needs a Norwegian identification number for you orders it. Skatteetaten lists requesters including the Tax Administration, Nav, banks and insurers, the Brønnøysund Register Centre and the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

1. The ordering body tells you whether you need an ID check.
2. If so, book an appointment with the Tax Administration for the check.
3. You usually also send a certified colour copy of your passport or national ID card, both sides, no more than three months old, by post.

Five years after it is assigned, a D-number's status changes to inactive. Skatteetaten says it is not invalid or deleted and can still be used for many purposes. If a body needs it to be active, it can be reactivated by an eligible enterprise or by you booking an ID check, and it becomes inactive again after another five years.

If you move to Norway to live for six months or more, you normally receive a national identity number after reporting the move, and may never need a D-number. A D-number is more likely if you come for a short contract, temporary work or a course before settling, or if a Norwegian body needs to identify you while you still live abroad. Either number can be linked to your HPR entry. Skatteetaten notes that the Tax Administration orders a D-number for people who need a tax deduction card, which you must have to work in Norway.

• Trying to apply yourself. Ask your employer, bank or the Tax Administration which body will order it.
• An old D-number. If you worked in Norway before, check whether yours is inactive.
• A mismatched HPR entry. Link the number to the register so later updates happen automatically.