D number or national identity number

Almost everything in Norway starts with an identification number. There are two kinds:

• National identity number – lifelong; available if you have right of residence and intend to live in Norway for six months or longer.
• D number – often for people in Norway temporarily. You receive one from the Tax Administration when you apply for a tax deduction card.

You cannot apply for a D number yourself. An enterprise or authority (the Tax Administration, Nav, a bank, UDI and others) requests it on your behalf. You usually send a certified colour copy of your passport or national ID (front and back, no older than three months, sent by post), and you may be asked to book an ID check with the Tax Administration.

A D number is set to "inactive" five years after it is assigned; it can be reactivated.