Norway (NO)
Norway is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy in Northern Europe — one of the three Scandinavian nations, occupying the western and northern portions of the Scandinavian Peninsula.
Digital Services
Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Norway.
BankID
Norway's national digital identity and electronic signature system. BankID is the primary mechanism for authenticating online to virtually all Norwegian government services, banks, insurance companies, and many commercial services. It is linked to your bank account and enabled via the BankID app (recommended) or a code generator card. BankID on mobile (BankID på mobil) is the most convenient version — uses your mobile number and personal password.
How to get it: Visit your Norwegian bank (DNB, SpareBank 1, Nordea, Sbanken, etc.) with your passport and fødselsnummer (or D-nummer for some services). The bank activates BankID for your account. The BankID app is then installed on your smartphone. Some banks allow online activation after initial in-person identity verification.
E-Government Portal
https://www.norge.noNorway's e-government system is among the world's most comprehensive. Virtually all interactions with Norwegian government can be conducted digitally. The critical prerequisite is BankID — without it, you cannot authenticate to most government portals. Altinn.no is particularly important for anyone self-employed or running a business.
Essential Apps
Vipps
FreeNorway's dominant mobile payment app — used by 4.7 million Norwegians. Essential for splitting bills, peer-to-peer payments, paying at markets and many vendors, donating to charity, and increasingly for identity verification. Download immediately after opening a Norwegian bank account.
BankID
FreeNorway's national digital identity app — absolutely essential. Required to log in to all government portals, sign contracts digitally, access online banking, and authenticate to almost any Norwegian digital service. Get this from your bank on day one.
Ruter
FreeOslo's public transport app for the T-bane, tram, bus, and ferries. Buy and manage tickets, plan journeys, and view real-time departures. Essential for living and working in Oslo.
Entur
FreeNational journey planner and ticketing platform covering all public transport in Norway. Buy train tickets, plan routes, and manage travel across the country.
Helsenorge
FreeOfficial Norwegian health portal app. Access your health records, prescriptions, vaccination history, test results, and manage your fastlege appointment. Log in with BankID.
NAV
FreeNAV's official app for tracking benefits, sick leave status, applications, and messages from the Labour and Welfare Administration.
Skatteetaten
FreeTax authority app. View and submit your annual skattemelding (tax return), check skattekort, view tax assessments, and manage tax matters.
ExpatCheapRent
FreeExpat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.
Finn.no
FreeNorway's dominant classifieds platform — essential for finding housing, buying/selling goods, and job searching.
Yr
FreeThe official Norwegian meteorological service (yr.no) weather app. Exceptionally accurate for Norwegian conditions (fjords, mountains, coastal). Essential for planning outdoor activities.
Posten
FreeNorwegian Post app for tracking parcels, finding collection points, managing parcel lockers, and booking deliveries.
Altinn
FreeEssential for anyone self-employed or running a business. All business reporting, VAT returns, annual accounts, and company registrations through Altinn.no. Log in with BankID.
Digipost
FreeNorway's digital mailbox service for receiving official letters and documents from government, banks, and other senders. An alternative to paper post for those who prefer digital.
Norway's digital ecosystem centres entirely on BankID — this is the non-negotiable foundation. Without BankID you cannot use most government services, sign documents, or access your bank online. The Norwegian public sector is remarkably digitised: the tax return is pre-filled, parental leave is applied for online, sick leave is managed digitally, and most government communications arrive via Digipost or directly to your helsenorge.no inbox. Connectivity is excellent across most of Norway — even remote areas typically have 4G coverage. The main digital challenge for expats is the BankID prerequisite, which requires a Norwegian bank account with fødselsnummer/D-nummer first.