D-number vs. Fødselsnummer: What’s the Difference?
Category: Public Services
Last reviewed: August 2026
Arriving in Norway often means encountering two terms very early in the process:
D-number and fødselsnummer.
Both are Norwegian identification numbers, both contain 11 digits, and both are used by public authorities and private organisations to identify you.
But they are not the same — and one of the most common misunderstandings among newcomers is assuming that you can simply choose which one you want.
You cannot.
Which identification number you receive depends on your connection to Norway and how you are registered.
The Difference Starts With Your Situation
A fødselsnummer, often referred to in English as a Norwegian national identity number, is generally connected to being registered as a resident in the National Population Register.
For people moving to Norway, this will normally become relevant when the move is approved and the person is going to live in Norway for at least six months or on a more permanent basis.
A D-number, on the other hand, may be issued to foreign citizens who need a Norwegian identification number but do not meet the conditions for receiving a fødselsnummer.
This can include people who are temporarily working in Norway, need a Norwegian tax card, have certain business connections to Norway or need identification for another recognised purpose.
The important point is:
A D-number is not simply a “first version” of a fødselsnummer.
They are issued for different registration situations.
You Do Not Normally Apply for a D-number Yourself
This is another area that can cause confusion.
A private individual cannot simply submit an application saying:
“I would like a D-number.”
A D-number is normally requested when an authorised public authority, bank or other approved organisation needs you to have a Norwegian identification number for a specific purpose.
Similarly, a fødselsnummer is not something you simply choose to order.
The National Population Register determines whether the conditions for receiving one are met.
Understanding this can save newcomers a great deal of frustration when trying to navigate the system.
Staying Longer in Norway Can Change Your Registration Situation
Someone may initially have a D-number because their connection to Norway is temporary.
Later, their circumstances may change.
For example, a person may decide to move to Norway on a longer-term basis and meet the conditions to be registered as resident.
At that point, the relevant question is not simply:
“How do I convert my D-number?”
The important issue is whether the person's new circumstances meet the requirements for registration as resident in Norway.
If the move is approved and the conditions are fulfilled, a national identity number may then be assigned.
That distinction matters because the process is based on your actual registration status — not simply on how long you have already held a D-number.
A D-number Can Become Inactive
This is particularly important for people who received a D-number several years ago.
Under the current system, a D-number receives the status “inactive” five years after it was assigned.
Inactive does not mean that the number has been deleted or that it is invalid.
The number still belongs to the same person.
However, an active D-number may be required for access to certain processes. One important example is obtaining a new Norwegian tax deduction card.
Depending on the situation, reactivation may involve identification checks or updated identity documentation.
For people returning to Norway after several years, checking the status of an existing D-number can therefore be an important early step.
Why Your Identification Number Matters in Everyday Life
Norwegian identification numbers are used throughout both public administration and private services.
They may become relevant in connection with areas such as:
taxation
employment
banking
public registrations
communication with authorities
certain digital and administrative services
But having an identification number does not automatically mean that every Norwegian service becomes available immediately.
Different institutions may have their own requirements, and some services depend on additional registration, identity verification or residence status.
This is why newcomers can sometimes have a D-number and still discover that another part of the setup process is not yet complete.
A Common Mistake: Comparing Your Situation With Someone Else’s
One person arrives in Norway and receives a D-number.
Another receives a fødselsnummer.
A third person waits considerably longer before their registration is completed.
This can make it seem as though the system is inconsistent.
In reality, their circumstances may be very different.
Length of stay, residence status, purpose of the stay and registration in the National Population Register can all influence what happens.
The better question is therefore not:
“Which number did my friend receive?”
It is:
“How should I be registered based on my own situation in Norway?”
What Should Newcomers Pay Attention To?
For most newcomers, the identification number itself is only one part of a larger administrative process.
The important thing is understanding how your:
residence situation, registration, tax obligations and practical setup connect.
Receiving the correct identification number at the right stage can make several later administrative steps easier to organise.
But trying to solve one isolated part of the process without understanding the bigger picture can create unnecessary confusion.
Need Help Understanding Your Administrative Setup in Norway?
Norway ClearPath provides practical and administrative support for people navigating Norwegian registrations and public processes.
We can help you understand how the different administrative steps relate to your situation, identify relevant official requirements and organise a clearer overview of what needs attention next.
Every situation is different, and the appropriate administrative steps depend on your individual circumstances.
Norway ClearPath provides practical and administrative guidance and does not provide legal advice or legal representation.
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