General information about the rules in force. Not legal advice. Last updated 6 October 2026.

To link your CPR number to a Danish bank account, you first need a CPR number from your municipality, then you give that number to the bank when you open the account, and finally you ask the bank to register the account as your NemKonto. This guide walks through each stage in order.

TL;DR
  • A cpr number Danish bank account link starts with registering your address with the municipality, which issues the CPR number.
  • The bank records your 10-digit CPR number when it opens your account.
  • NemKonto is the account public authorities pay money into, and it is tied to your CPR number.
  • Each bank sets its own onboarding documents, so check what your bank asks for before you go.

Why this matters

In Denmark, the CPR number is the key that connects you to banks, public authorities, healthcare and tax. Without it, most everyday services are hard to use.

Many newcomers lose time because they visit a bank before the CPR number exists, or because the bank account is not registered for public payments. Both problems are avoidable when you know the order of the steps.

This is general information about how the process works. It is not advice on your own case. If your situation is unusual, for example your residence status is still unclear, contact Globe Advokater to discuss it.

Before you start

Have these ready before you contact a bank:

  • A valid passport or other photo ID accepted by the bank.
  • Proof that you are registered at a Danish address. Banks usually want to see this.
  • A way to confirm your identity digitally. Many Danish banks work with MitID, and MitID in turn depends on your CPR number.

The one gotcha: the CPR number comes first, and the bank cannot create it for you. If you have not yet registered with the municipality, a bank will usually not be able to complete the link. Banks set their own onboarding rules, so the exact list of documents can differ from one bank to the next.

Get your CPR number

The CPR number is issued through the Danish civil registration system, in practice when you register your address with your municipality. The official guidance is on borger.dk.

  1. Check whether your residence status allows you to register in Denmark. Your permit or EU registration document is normally part of this.
  2. Book a time with Borgerservice in your municipality, or follow the municipality's own online route if it offers one.
  3. Bring the documents the municipality asks for. These typically include ID and proof of your right to stay.
  4. Register your Danish address.
  5. Wait for confirmation of your CPR number.

Expected result: you have a 10-digit CPR number. The first six digits are your date of birth. The last four are a sequence number.

If your permit is still being processed, our guide to remote work visa options in Denmark explains one of the routes people use to arrive in Denmark.

Give the CPR number to the bank

Once you have the number, you can open the account. The steps below describe the usual pattern, not a single bank's screen flow.

  1. Choose a bank and check its requirements for new customers. Look at its website or call it.
  2. Start the application online or book a meeting at a branch.
  3. Enter your CPR number in the identification field when the bank asks for it.
  4. Upload or show your ID and proof of address.
  5. Confirm your identity with MitID if the bank asks for it.
  6. Accept the account terms and wait for the bank to confirm that the account is open.

Expected result: the bank holds your CPR number on file and links it to your customer record and account. You can now receive a salary and pay bills.

Banks are free to decide whom they accept as customers within the law. A bank may ask for more documents than another one. If one bank asks for something you cannot supply, another bank may handle your case differently.

Register your NemKonto

NemKonto is the account you designate to receive payments from public authorities. Tax refunds and public benefits are paid there. It is tied to your CPR number.

  1. Choose the account you want to use for public payments. It must be a Danish account in your own name.
  2. Ask your bank to register it as your NemKonto. Banks can do this, and borger.dk describes the process.
  3. Check the confirmation from the bank or on borger.dk once you can log in with MitID.

Expected result: public payments to your CPR number arrive in this account.

Variant: change your bank later

The same logic applies when you switch banks.

  1. Open the new account with your CPR number, as described above.
  2. Ask the new bank to register it as your NemKonto, so public payments move to it.
  3. Update your employer and any other payers with the new account details.
  4. Keep the old account open until you are sure all payments have moved.

Expected result: your CPR number is linked to the new account, and the old one can be closed without missed payments.

Troubleshooting

  • The bank says it cannot find your CPR number. Check that you typed all 10 digits correctly. If the number is new, ask the municipality to confirm that your registration is complete.
  • The bank asks for MitID, but you do not have it yet. MitID depends on the CPR number, so get MitID first or ask the bank what alternative identification it accepts.
  • The bank refuses to open an account. Ask which document is missing. Requirements differ between banks, and a refusal from one does not mean every bank will refuse.
  • A public payment does not arrive. Confirm that the right account is registered as your NemKonto.
  • Your address changed. Update your address with the municipality, because the registration is the source for the CPR record.

Our financing guide for foreign property buyers shows why a working Danish bank account matters later, for example when you buy a home.

Customise your workflow

Once the CPR number and bank account are linked, you can build on them:

  • Set up MitID and your digital mailbox so official letters reach you.
  • Move your salary to the account and register it for public payments.
  • Review your residence status if your plans change. Our guide to dual citizenship options for non-EU nationals covers one longer-term question many internationals ask.

If an authority has refused you something or you are unsure which rules apply to you, Globe Advokater works in Danish and English and can explain the process in a consultation.

FAQ

Do I need a CPR number to open a Danish bank account?

In most cases, yes. Banks normally ask for your CPR number when they open a full account. Each bank sets its own onboarding rules, so check with the bank you choose.

What is a CPR number?

A CPR number is your personal identification number in Denmark. It has 10 digits, and the first six are your date of birth.

Who gives me a CPR number?

The municipality gives it to you when you register your address. The official description is on borger.dk.

What is NemKonto?

NemKonto is the bank account that public authorities use to pay money to you. It is tied to your CPR number, and your bank can register an account for this purpose.

Can I use a foreign bank account as NemKonto?

The rules for foreign accounts are different from Danish ones. Check borger.dk for the current arrangement before you rely on a foreign account.

Do I need MitID to link my CPR number to the bank?

Many banks use MitID to confirm your identity. MitID depends on your CPR number, so the CPR number comes first.

Can a bank refuse to open an account for me?

Banks decide within the law whom they accept as customers. If one bank refuses, ask which document is missing, and consider asking another bank.

One last thing

The order matters more than the choice of bank: CPR number first, then the account, then NemKonto. People who reverse this usually repeat a visit.

Deadlines apply in this type of case. Contact a lawyer to find out which deadlines apply in your case.

This article is general information about the rules and practice in force. It is not legal advice, it does not assess your specific case, and reading it does not create a client relationship.

Rules, deadlines and the practice of the authorities change. We accept no liability for errors or for changes after the update date. Always check the information with the relevant authority or contact a lawyer before you act.

If you have a specific case, you are welcome to contact Globe Advokater for an assessment.

Last updated 6 October 2026.