Working or studying in Denmark? How to open a bank account

Why do you need a Danish bank account?

If you are working or studying in Denmark, you will need a Danish bank account in order to receive payments such as your salary, tax refunds, social welfare payments or student loans. We would love to welcome you as a customer at Nordea, one of the leading banks in the Nordics.

Open a bank account in three easy steps

Becoming a customer at Nordea is easy and can be done in three simple steps:

Step 1:

Visit your local branch and present the bank adviser with the following:

• a copy of your passport or similar photo identification

• a copy of your Danish health insurance card

• your CPR- or TIN number

• your residence permit

• a copy of your employment agreement or study confirmation

If your stay in Denmark is shorter than three months, you must also present the following:

• documentation from the Danish tax authorities

• confirmation of your address in your home country.

Find local branches here. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any doubts regarding which documents you should bring to your local branch.

Step 2:

Before becoming a customer you will receive a document in our branch. The document is called “Agreement – for customers staying temporarily in Denmark”. It must be filled out, confirmed and signed. In the document you need to state your home country:

• telephone number

• e-mail address

• address

• bank and account information.

Step 3:

When you apply to become a customer at Nordea, you must also answer questions about:

• your personal circumstances

• your financial situation

• how you plan to use your account.

We ask you these questions because we – like any other bank – must comply with the legislation on anti-money laundering and prevention of terror financing.

What you get when opening a Nordea bank account

There are many things to consider when moving to a new country to work or study. Handling your everyday banking needs is just one of them, and we at Nordea are here to help you during your stay.

You will get the everyday banking solution ‘Basic Payment Account’, which includes:

• A bank account

• Nordea Pay (a Visa/debit card), which can be used in Apple Pay and Google Pay

• Access to Netbank (our home-banking solution), which allows you to follow your account online, pay bills, transfer money etc.

• Furthermore, as an additional service for Netbank users, you can get our mobile banking app with access to your accounts via your smartphone.

An annual fee of 480 DKK is payable for the ‘Basic Payment Account’ solution.

FAQ

What is a NemKonto – and why do you need it?

You will need a ‘NemKonto’ (‘Easy Account’) to receive payments from Danish public institutions such as tax refunds or social welfare payments. A NemKonto connects your CPR-number with the bank account to ensure that such payments go to the right person. Your Nordea account can easily be set up to be a NemKonto.

What is a CPR number?

The CPR (Central Person Register) number is a Danish civil registration number and you will need it to receive your salary, get insurance and use the Danish health services. If you do not have a CPR number yet, you will need to make an appointment at a Citizen Service Centre to get one.

What is MitID?

MitID is a digital ID that you use to communicate with the public sector in Denmark, for online banking and in some cases when shopping online. MitID works through an app for smartphones and tablets.

You will need MitID to access digital post from the public sector (e-boks.dk), tax information (skat.dk), health information (sundhed.dk) etc.

You can get MitID by downloading the app and following the instructions under ‘Get MitID using passport’ or by booking an appointment at a Citizen Service Centre

Read more about getting started with MitID

What should I do when my stay in Denmark ends?

Your account with us must be closed before you leave Denmark. By signing the “Basic Payment Account” agreement with Nordea Denmark, you agree to the condition that you can no longer remain a customer at Nordea Denmark once your stay in Denmark ends.

When you leave Denmark, we will transfer any balance in your Nordea bank account, to an account of your choosing. Unless otherwise agreed, the account stated in your onboarding will be used.

How do I close, prolong or block my account?

We will contact you two weeks before your stay in Denmark ends to discuss your options for closing, prolonging or blocking your account and your Nordea Pay card.

If we are unable to get in touch with you, we will reserve the right to close your account, your Netbank and your Nordea Pay card. Your balance will be transferred to your home country account.

If you have any questions or if your situation concerning your stay in Denmark changes, you are always welcome to contact us at +45 70 33 33 33.

What should I do if my stay in Denmark is prolonged?

If your stay in Denmark is prolonged, you can keep your account for the full duration of your stay. All you need to do is to provide us with an updated employment agreement or study confirmation, which documents the new date of departure from Denmark.