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Intro: How to Make the Move

We are happy that you are considering Oslo as your next home and look forward to welcoming you here.

To help you navigate and prepare for your move, see the introductory tips below. For information on immigration requirements specific to you, visit UDI, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.

If you’ve already moved to Oslo, refer to Getting Settled and explore the Oslopolitan website to see all the resources available to you. The city's Welcome to Oslo website provides detailed relocation information.

  1. 01 Do I Need a Job?
  2. 02 Obtain a Residence Permit
  3. 03 Get a D-number for Temporary Stays or a National ID
  4. 04 Relocate With Family
  5. 05 Find a Job in Norway
  6. 06 Recognition of Foreign Education
  7. 07 Coming to Oslo as a Student
  8. 08 Open a Norwegian Bank Account
  9. 09 Find Housing
  10. 10 Cost of Living
  11. 11 Customs for Pets and Belongings
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08 Open a Norwegian Bank Account

Once you have a D-number or personal identification number and a Norwegian address, you are eligible to set up a Norwegian bank account.

Bank in Norway DNB

Photo by Kamil Klyta on Unsplash

The easiest way to go about this is to book an appointment with the bank you wish to set up an bank account with or register online.

You can choose any Norwegian bank you prefer. Most personal banking in Norway is done digitally these days, but there are still a few branches open for in-person meetings.

Largest banks by market share:

- DNB (33% market share)
- Nordea (12% market share)
- SpareBank 1 (10% market share)
- Danske Bank (6% market share)
- Handelsbanken (4% market share)
- Santander Consumer Bank (4% market share)
- Skandiabanken (3% market share)
- Sbanken (3% market share)

What to bring to the bank

For your meeting with the bank, you will need to bring your D-number or personal identification number, passport, proof of address and a passport photo.

It's worth noting that the policies and requirements for opening bank accounts with a D-number may vary between banks, so it's a good idea to contact the bank directly to confirm their specific requirements.

After setting up an account, the bank will allocate a Bank-ID (a personal electronic credential for secure identification and signing online), which you can use for bank transactions, including payments on public websites.

A debit card will be issued, and a PIN will arrive in the post shortly after.

Norway is nearly cashless. Few people have cash on hand, and many do transactions using a bank card or Vipps.

What is Vipps?

Vipps is a mobile payment app used throughout Norway. It enables you to send and receive money straight from your phone. You can use it to make payments, split bills with friends, donate to your favorite causes, and even pay your bills. Many shops in Norway accept Vipps.

Vipps logo on phone

Photo: Vipps.no

I'll just Vipps you!