Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

DIGITAL IDS

How Norway plans to tackle foreigners’ issues with digital IDs

Electronic IDs are a big part of everyday life in Norway. The system can cause some problems for foreigners, and the government has told The Local that it has a plan to address the issues.

Published: 12 June 2024 13:02 CEST
Updated: 17 June 2024 11:13 CEST
Pictured is a person opening a laptop,
Norway's government has told The Local that an action plan is in place to try and make electronic IDs more accessible. Pictured is a person opening a laptop, Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

For around 20 years, electronic IDs have been used for everything from filing taxes to filling out forms and doing online banking.

In a recent survey of our audience, many readers agreed that the system was simple, efficient, and helpful when you could obtain an electronic ID. Still, there were some issues, such as the rules for who can have one being unclear for certain types—like BankID.

READ MORE: ‘It’s not easy to live in Norway without an electronic ID’

Other issues include different electronic IDs having different security clearances, with foreign residents typically unable to access the digital logins with a higher security rating if they had a d-number rather than a “birth number”.

The ministry responsible for digital IDs, the Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance, has told The Local it was aware of the issues some foreigners have had with digital IDs.

“I am indeed aware of the issues surrounding the acquisition of BankID and the challenges that may arise when it comes to certain services that require a high security level. The government is committed to improving access to digital public services for all citizens,” state secretary Thomas Norvoll told The Local.

When asked by The Local what could be improved about electronic IDs, many foreigners said they simply wanted the rules on who could obtain certain kinds of digital logins, such as BankID, to be much clearer.

“For new foreigners, there should be a clear and easy process to follow,” Arjen in Jessheim wrote.

The government told The Local that it had an action plan in place as part of a wider strategy on electronic IDs to make them easier to obtain and clear up the rules on who can have them.

“The action plan includes measures to investigate how eID with a high-security level can be made available to more users, assessing how eID can be distributed safely among user groups that currently do not have an eID at a high security level today, and measures to ensure that all user groups shall be knowledgeable about how to obtain and use an eID in a secure manner,” Norvoll said.

The action plan has been published by the digitisation ministry and is available in Norwegian on the ministry’s website (in Norwegian).

Among the seven measures is an investigation into how user-friendly electronic IDs can be obtained for users without a d-number of birth number. Norway’s immigration Directorate (UDI) is among the services included in this review.

This review would take place between 2024 and 2025, but the bad news is that any changes as a result of the review may not be implemented until 2026-2027.

The action plan also outlined the government had begun measures to make sure electronic IDs with a high security level are available to more people and that this work would continue until 2026.

The measure that will see electronic ID users given more information on how to obtain one would be in an analysis stage throughout 2024, with input from entities that issue the digital IDs before the results of the investigation are implemented in 2025 and 2026.

At the time of writing, more specific details on how the information would be made clearer or how exactly electronic IDs would be made more accessible were not available.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

DIGITAL ID

What are the rules for obtaining BankID at different Norwegian banks?

In Norway, acquiring a BankID is pretty standardised across banks. However, there are some differences, depending on the bank you do business with.

Published: 30 May 2024 13:34 CEST
What are the rules for obtaining BankID at different Norwegian banks?

As any newcomer to Norway quickly finds out, it’s very hard to access many essential services – such as those related to health, banking, and taxes – without having a BankID.

This ID is a personal electronic proof of identity used for authorising transactions and signing online.

Individual banks issue BankID to grant customers access to public services with the highest security clearance

READ MORE: Everything foreigners in Norway need to know about electronic IDs

Typically, you’ll need to physically visit your bank branch or designated location for identification verification before you can obtain BankID.

However, once you’ve carried out identification, most banks offer assistance in setting up BankID and addressing related issues.

BankID exists in multiple forms: with a code chip, as an app, or in its mobile version (the mobile version of BankID is slated to be discontinued soon).

The recommended solution nowadays is the BankID app, which provides enhanced security and is a tad more convenient than using the code chip (primarily because most people have their mobile phones on them wherever they go, while it might be inconvenient to carry the code chip and remember the related passwords).

While the procedures and requirements for obtaining BankID in Norway tend to be highly standardised, some differences exist between the major banks operating in the country.

DNB

To acquire a BankID from DNB, Norway’s largest bank, you’ll need to be over 13 years old, with certain restrictions for the 13-17 age group.

Also, physical identification is mandatory at a DNB office. Valid identity documents include Norwegian national ID cards or passports with chips.

You’ll need a Norwegian birth number, though D-number holders can use an alternative login option.

You’ll require an online banking agreement and a code chip from DNB. You can get both through DNB’s website or by contacting the bank directly.

You can find more details on DNB’s BankID requirements and terms on their website, here.

Handelsbanken

Handelsbanken offers BankID to customers aged 15 and above.

For those under 18, a guardian must initiate the BankID agreement process by contacting the bank office.

You can order BankID through the bank’s website, where customers need to select the “without BankID” option and follow the provided steps.

You will then get a first-time password via email for your initial login.

After that, you’ll be able to activate BankID on the app.

Storebrand

To order a BankID in Storebrand Bank, you must meet the following criteria: you must hold a bank account with Storebrand, be over 15 years old, possess a valid Norwegian birth and social security number, undergo identification with a passport, and have both a mobile number and email address.

If identification is unavailable, you can initiate the process through the bank’s designated online channels or contact them directly to explain the specifics of your situation and get guidance on the next steps.

You can order an ID through Storebrand’s website, here.

Sparebank 1

To get BankID from Sparebank 1, you must also present valid identification at the bank (such as a passport or an national ID card).

To check what Sparebank1 considers valid identification, you’ll need to use their wizard, which will provide you with the information based on your location in Norway.

You’ll also need a valid Norwegian birth and social security number. 

With BankID set up, you’ll get access to their banking services, document signing, and secure online shopping.

Parents can also order BankID at Sparebank 1 for children aged 13 and above.

Tip: Downloading the BankID app eliminates the need to remember passwords or carry code chips, which is why Sparebank recommends it on its website.

It’s important to note that BankID is issued within a common infrastructure, so it’s universally accepted across all banks.

You can view a list of all the banks that offer BankID here. 

SHOW COMMENTS