# Fødselsnummer and D-nummer 2026: differences and transition

Start with your residence basis. Police registration, the Population Register and an ID number are different things.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/fodselsnummer-dnummer-forskjell
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-04-26T00:00:00+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-29T10:57:25.397418+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- When and how long? Check in your first days. EU/EEA workers staying over three months normally register with the police within three months; Nordic citizens use separate moving rules.
- Keep in mind You cannot apply independently for a D number. An authorised authority or business requests it when needed. An ID number does not grant permission to live or work in Norway.

Start with your residence basis. Police registration, the Population Register and an ID number are different things.

## Understand how it works

For a planned stay of at least six consecutive months, check whether you must report a move to the National Population Register. Some residence permits lead to automatic registration. A national identity number normally follows registration as a resident; a D number serves people who do not meet those conditions.

## When and how long?

Check in your first days. EU/EEA workers staying over three months normally register with the police within three months; Nordic citizens use separate moving rules.

## Have these ready

- Passport or accepted ID
- Residence decision or evidence of your EEA residence basis
- Norwegian address and documents requested by Skatteetaten

## What to do

1. Use Skatteetaten’s moving guide for your nationality and planned stay.
2. Check whether your permit has already led to registration before submitting another notification.
3. Book any required ID check and keep the appointment confirmation.

## From a D number to a national identity number

A D number is not a temporary residence permit and is not deleted when five years pass. Skatteetaten normally sets its status to inactive after five years. If a service needs an active number, follow the reactivation procedure; the identity remains yours.

Receiving a national identity number requires meeting the Population Register's conditions. It is not an automatic conversion after six months with a D number. Follow the moving notification and identity-check instructions that apply to your permit. When a new number is assigned, ask the bank, employer and other services to update their records.

## Keep in mind

You cannot apply independently for a D number. An authorised authority or business requests it when needed. An ID number does not grant permission to live or work in Norway.

## Next steps and related guides

- [Use the interactive checklist](https://samfunnprep.no/en/verktoy/forste-uke#first-week-step-folkeregister)
- [Set up digital ID: MinID and BankID](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/bankid-id-porten-minid)
- [Apply for a tax deduction card](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/skattekort-baksmell-2026)

## Sources for this step

- [Skatteetaten · Move to Norway](https://www.skatteetaten.no/person/folkeregister/flytte/til-norge/)
- [Skatteetaten · Residence permit and registration](https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/national-registry/moving/your-residence-permit-determines-whether-youll-be-automatically-considered-a-resident-in-norway/)
- [Skatteetaten · D number](https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/national-registry/identitetsnummer-og-elektronisk-id/d-nummer/)
- [UDI · EU/EØS workers](https://www.udi.no/ord-og-begreper/arbeidsgivarar-tilsetje-ein-person-som-er-eueos-borgar/)

## FAQ

### When should I start, and how long does it take?

Check in your first days. EU/EEA workers staying over three months normally register with the police within three months; Nordic citizens use separate moving rules.

### Which documents should I prepare?

Passport or accepted ID; Residence decision or evidence of your EEA residence basis; Norwegian address and documents requested by Skatteetaten

## Sources

- [Skatteetaten · Move to Norway](https://www.skatteetaten.no/person/folkeregister/flytte/til-norge/)
- [Skatteetaten · Residence permit and registration](https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/national-registry/moving/your-residence-permit-determines-whether-youll-be-automatically-considered-a-resident-in-norway/)
- [Skatteetaten · D number](https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/national-registry/identitetsnummer-og-elektronisk-id/d-nummer/)
- [UDI · EU/EØS workers](https://www.udi.no/ord-og-begreper/arbeidsgivarar-tilsetje-ein-person-som-er-eueos-borgar/)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Fødselsnummer and D-nummer 2026: differences and transition", SamfunnPrep, 2026-04-26T00:00:00+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/fodselsnummer-dnummer-forskjell