Nyhet

How to know whether you're registered as a resident in the National Population Register

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Important information

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If you have a D number, you’re not registered as a resident in Norway, even if you have a registered address in Norway, says Elin Imsland, department director of the National Population Register.

Changes to the requirements for documentation

With effect from 21 May 2021, there are changes to the requirements relating to the documentation you must show to prove that you're resident in Norway and consequently have the lawful right to travel to Norway. Read more at regjeringen.no.

The current entry regulations are linked to travellers’ residential status in the National Population Register.  

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security manages the entry regulations. The Norwegian Tax Administration manages the National Population Register Act (in Norwegian only), that considers who will be registered as resident in the National Population Register.  

There is no change to the rules relating to who may be registered as resident in the National Population Register. However, due to stricter entry regulations, the residential status in the National Population Register is now of greater importance. 

Who is considered resident? 

Only persons registered with the status resident in the National Population Register, and who have a national identity number, are considered a resident of Norway.  

Persons with a D number are not considered residents 

Persons with a D number are not considered residents as per the National Population Register information. This applies even if you have a registered present address in Norway.  

Who can apply for registration as a resident in the National Population Register? 

– To be registered as a resident in the National Population Register and receive a Norwegian national identity number, you must have a lawful residence in Norway and intend to stay for more than six months, says Elin Imsland.   

Persons with a D number cannot be registered as residents if they plan to commute to their home country or their stay in Norway is temporary.   

– Persons who commute to work in Norway will rarely meet the conditions for residency, even if their ties to Norway last for more than six months, Imsland points out.

What is required to be registered as a resident in the National Population Register?

Registration as a resident requires moving to Norway and changing your permanent address. To report your move to Norway, you must visit one of the Tax Administration’s ID offices and undergo an ID control. You must bring documentation stating that you have lawful residence in Norway, and that you intend to stay here for more than six months.     

– Find out in advance what you need to bring to the ID control, to ensure that your application is dealt with promptly, advises Imsland.  

When reporting your move to Norway, you must submit documentation of your lawful residence and proof of your intention to stay for more than six months. Such proof can be, for example, an employment contract or documentation confirming that you own or have a long-term rental agreement of a residential property in Norway.   

You must meet the conditions of being registered as a resident in the National Population Register and receive a personal identity number.

Visit report a move to Norway from abroad for more information on how to book an appointment and what you must bring with you to your appointment.

Further information on the registered status “resident”

Following section 2 of the Interim Act relating to entry restrictions for foreign nationals out of concern for public health, you're entitled to entry if you reside in Norway. You can find the act, as well as an unofficial English translation, by using this link: Midlertidig lov om innreiserestriksjoner for utlendinger av hensyn til folkehelsen.

Justisdepartementets rundskriv G-11/2021 (an information letter from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security on the above mentioned act and its regulations, in Norwegian only) confirms that the term “residing in Norway” in the act means foreign nationals registered as residents in the National Population Register only. 

National identity number

A Norwegian national identity number is an 11-digit identification number. Everyone registered as a resident in the Norwegian Population Register has a national identity number. 

D number

A D number is a temporary identification number that may be issued to foreign nationals planning to stay in Norway for less than six months.