Two things open most of Norwegian administrative life: a Norwegian identification number and an electronic ID. The route to them is not identical for everyone. Some residence-permit holders are registered automatically after UDI notifies the National Population Register. Other newcomers must report their move themselves, and many must attend an identity check in person. Start by finding which process applies to your citizenship and permit rather than assuming that every arrival follows the same checklist.
Sources: Skatteetaten — moving to Norway; Skatteetaten — how a residence permit affects registration; Skatteetaten — identification numbers; Skatteetaten — tax cards for foreign workers; Helsenorge — the right to a doctor.
First: find your registration route
Use Skatteetaten’s moving-to-Norway guide together with your UDI decision. Three common situations illustrate why this comes first.
Automatic registration. When UDI grants certain residence permits lasting at least six months, the immigration authorities notify the National Population Register. Depending on the type of permit, you may be registered as resident automatically and receive a national identity number without filing a separate move notification.
A D-number followed by your own move notification. Some permit holders receive a D-number rather than automatic resident status. If you will stay for at least six consecutive months, you may then need to report the move yourself. When this is done within 30 days of the D-number being assigned, Skatteetaten can reuse the immigration authority’s identity check and accepts the form and documentation electronically or by post. After that period, a new in-person ID check is normally required.
Nordic and EU/EEA routes. Nordic citizens and EU/EEA citizens follow their own residence and registration rules. Depending on the route, an appointment with the police, a Service Centre for Foreign Workers or a tax office may be required.
The practical rule is simple: check the route before booking appointments or sending forms.
Which identification number will you receive?
Norway uses two personal identification numbers.
A fødselsnummer, or national identity number, is issued when you are registered as resident in Norway. This usually requires an intended stay of at least six months and lawful residence, although the precise registration process depends on your route.
A D-number is issued to foreign citizens who need a Norwegian identification number but do not meet the conditions for a national identity number. It may be ordered because you need a tax deduction card, are opening a bank account or have another temporary connection to Norway.
You do not choose between the two. The National Population Register applies the rules to your circumstances.
The difference can affect access to services. A person registered as resident in a Norwegian municipality is entitled to a fastlege. Most D-number holders are not, although Helsenorge lists defined exceptions, and all remain entitled to necessary medical treatment.
Prepare for an ID check if your route requires one
An ID check requires personal attendance at a tax office that offers the service. The documents depend on citizenship and residence basis, but normally include valid identification and evidence supporting the stay and registration.
Book early if your route requires an appointment. Appointment availability can be a practical constraint, but do not book an unnecessary second identity check if UDI’s check can still be reused.
Get a tax deduction card before payday
Everyone working in Norway needs a tax deduction card. If you already have a Norwegian identification number, Skatteetaten uses it. If you do not, Skatteetaten can order a D-number as part of the tax-card process.
The card is an electronic record retrieved by the employer. Without one, the employer normally has to deduct 50 per cent of the salary as tax. Foreign workers may fall under ordinary taxation or the PAYE scheme; use Skatteetaten’s guidance to determine which rules apply.
Open a bank account and obtain electronic ID
A Norwegian identification number is normally required to open a Norwegian bank account. Each bank performs its own identity and customer checks, so requirements and processing times differ.
BankID is the most widely used electronic ID, but it is not the only electronic-ID option. The issuing bank decides whether its conditions are met. An electronic ID gives access to ID-porten and many public digital services.
Check your fastlege status
Once registered as resident in a Norwegian municipality, you are entitled to a fastlege. Through Helsenorge you can see or change your GP, choose one in another municipality and join a waiting list when a list is full.
If you have a D-number, check Helsenorge’s current exception list rather than assuming either entitlement or exclusion.
What can run in parallel?
Some tasks depend on the identification number, but preparation does not have to stop while you wait.
Likely dependencies: opening a Norwegian bank account requires an identification number; BankID normally follows a bank relationship; fastlege entitlement generally follows registration as resident.
Useful parallel work: gather documents, compare bank requirements, prepare the tax-card application, study Norwegian and collect professional-authorisation documents if you work in a regulated profession.
Registration in the National Population Register is not the same as immigration permission or tax residence. UDI decides immigration status, while tax residence follows separate tax rules. If your move involves a regulated health profession, authorisation from Helsedirektoratet is another independent process. The authorisation hub explains it, and the EU/EEA distinction determines which professional route applies.