ID-porten is the common login gateway for the Norwegian public sector, run by the Norwegian Digitalisation Agency (Digdir). You choose an electronic ID such as BankID, MinID, Buypass or Commfides, and the gateway passes your verified identity to the public service you are visiting.

What is the difference between BankID and MinID?

BankID is issued by Norwegian banks and meets the highest security level, so it is also used for banking and signing. MinID is a government login with a lower assurance level, based on a PIN letter and one-time codes sent by SMS. Both give access to public services, but some services require the higher level.

Can a foreigner get a Norwegian electronic ID?

Yes, but you need a Norwegian identification number, either a national identity number or a D-number. With that you can order a MinID activation letter by post. Banks may apply stricter rules to people who only have a D-number, so ask your bank before you count on BankID.

Does Norway have to offer an EU wallet?

Not in the same way as EU members. As an EEA state, Norway applies EU rules only once they have been incorporated into the EEA Agreement. EFTA listed Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 as under scrutiny, without a Joint Committee Decision, at the time of writing. Norway still takes part in the EU wallet pilots and tests a national wallet.

Digital ID in Norway: BankID, MinID and the EU wallet

In Norway you prove who you are online with BankID, issued by your bank, or with the government’s MinID, and most public services let you choose through the shared ID-porten login. Norway’s EU-style wallet is in development, but it is not a finished public app in October 2026.

At a glance

Item	Status
National eID	MinID (government login); no national ID card with eID function
Mobile or app solution	BankID app; MinID with SMS codes
Bank-based ID	BankID, issued by Norwegian banks, highest security level
EU relationship	EEA member, not EU; Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 listed by EFTA as under scrutiny, not yet incorporated
EUDI wallet, October 2026	National wallet in development, public sandbox, takes part in the NOBID pilot
Responsible body	Norwegian Digitalisation Agency (Digdir) for ID-porten and MinID; banks for BankID

The national system

Norway built its identity system around the ID-porten gateway of the public sector, which is run by the Norwegian Digitalisation Agency, Digdir. When you log in to the tax authority, NAV (the welfare administration) or Altinn, you pick an eID in ID-porten. The official portal norge.no lists the options, which include BankID, MinID, Buypass and Commfides.

BankID is by far the best-known. It started in 2003, is operated for the banks, supports login and signing, and meets the highest assurance level, level 4 in the Norwegian scale. The older mobile version was phased out in favour of the BankID app. MinID is the state’s own login. It is easier to get but sits at a lower assurance level than BankID; see our guide to levels of assurance for what the levels mean.

How to get it and use it

For BankID you request it from your bank, usually when opening an account or via online banking. Most banks issue it from age 18, and some from 13 or 15. It works as an app or with a code device, and you need your Norwegian national ID number.

For MinID you register on minid.no with a Norwegian ID number, receive a PIN code letter by post and register a mobile number for one-time codes. According to the Norwegian Tax Administration, people from abroad need a Norwegian national ID number or a D-number first, and then can order a MinID activation letter. Buypass needs an activated smart card and Commfides an activated USB stick or smart card.

The EU wallet and the EEA (October 2026)

Norway is part of the European Economic Area, but EU legislation does not apply automatically. It applies once a Joint Committee decision incorporates it. EFTA’s factsheet lists Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 (eIDAS 2) as an act under scrutiny by the EEA EFTA states, with no decision yet. Still, Norway takes part in the EU pilot projects, including NOBID for payments, and an independent tracker lists a Norwegian national wallet sandbox maintained by Digdir in September 2026. BankID has also announced its own wallet strategy; its first step was a digital ID card shown on the phone in the BankID app, launched in March 2024. For what the wallet will do, read our EU Digital Identity Wallet guide.

Use abroad

Norwegian eIDs are made for Norwegian services. Because the EU framework is not yet part of the EEA Agreement for wallets, do not assume your BankID or MinID will work for services in other European countries. Our guide to using your national eID in another EU country explains the general mechanism. Neighbouring countries are covered on the pages for Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.

Practical tips

New to Norway? The order is Norwegian ID number or D-number, then MinID by letter, then BankID through your bank.
Allow several days for the MinID PIN letter if you are working to a tax or work deadline.
Check whether a service needs the higher BankID level before relying on MinID.

Privacy in brief

BankID and MinID are used for tax, health and banking, so treat every request as sensitive. Do not share one-time codes or app approvals with anyone, and remember that your electronic ID is personal: the authorities stress that only you should use it.