The procedures for getting a Norwegian National Identity Number will vary according to your nationality and length of stay.
Nationality is divided into:
- Non-EU/EEA citizens
- EU/EEA citizens
- Nordic citizens (Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Finland)
Many students confuse the National Identity Number with the “D-number”. The National Identity Number (called “personnummer” in Norwegian) and D-number are not the same. Here are the definitions of the National Identity Number and the “D-number”:
Important: Students that receive a Norwegian National Identity number must also give their new number to their student adviser upon receipt of the letter so that it can be registered in the USN database. There is an online form for this.
In most cases, the preference would be to get the National Identity Number if one qualifies.
Non-EU/EEA citizens:
The following information is current as of September 1, 2021.
Non-EU/EEA students studying in Norway for more than nine months will automatically receive a Norwegian National Identity Number after reporting to the police station. Students will receive this by postal mail, normally after some weeks, unless unexpected delays occur.
Non-EU/EEA students studying in Norway for less than nine months will automatically receive a D-number a few weeks after the appointment with the police (unless unexpected delays occur). Students will receive this by postal mail. As mentioned, the D-number is not the same as the National Identity Number.
For more information please visit skatteetaten.
EU/EEA citizens:
EU/EEA students who are planning to be here more than six months must register their move to Norway and can obtain a National Identity Number (also known as the “personnumer”). In order to do so you must register in the Norwegian Population Registry (handled by the Tax Office) by reporting a move to Norway. In order to do so you must register in the Norwegian population registry by reporting a move to Norway.
Only designated tax offices have the possibility of registering the move to Norway. For the campuses covered in USN’s region, the following tax offices offer these services: Drammen, Sandvika, Skien and Tønsberg.
All visitors to the tax office must book an online appointment prior to visiting the tax office.
Here is a list of the required documents for appointments within 30 days of the police appointment:
1. The form provided online by the Tax Office (must be filled out prior to the appointment, link below)
2. Passport or national ID card with a photograph of you and information about your citizenship and gender. If gender is not listed on the ID card, a passport must be used.
3. Registration certificate issued by the police.
4. A valid house purchase contract or tenancy agreement valid for at least 6 months. If the tenancy agreement is older than 3 months, you need to bring a confirmation from the lessor showing that the contract is still valid. Please note that he housing contract must show the dates of rental and the signatures of you and SSN (or landlord if not SSN).
5. Confirmation that you are a student showing that you will be in Norway for 6 months or more. If the Letter of Admissions is older than 3 months, a new confirmation must be presented.
If a student attends the appointment at the tax office 30 or more days after the visit to the police station then the following extra documents are needed:
- Confirmation of finances (self-declaration)
- The European Health Insurance Card or a comparative Health Insurance that meets the requirements of Norwegian law
For more information and to find the required form, please visit skatteetaten.
Nordic citizens:
Nordic students do not need to register with the police, but can follow the same procedure as the EU/EEA-students to obtain a permanent ID number/National Identity Number. In addition, Nordic students will also have to bring the printout from the national population register in the country they are moving from. The printout must be stamped, signed and no older than three months.
For more information and the required form, please visit skatteetaten
Please remember to clearly mark your mailbox with your full legal name as in your ID/passport.