Bank account in Denmark

If you are legally resident in Denmark or another country within the EU or EEA, you have the right to set up a basic deposit account and a basic payment account with a Danish bank. This applies even if you are not permanently resident in Denmark.

The right also applies in principle to people living in Denmark who do not have a residence permit, but who cannot be deported.

A basic deposit account allows you to deposit and withdraw cash, receive account transfers, and be issued with a debit card with balance control.

A basic payment account enables you to:

• Deposit and withdraw money
• Receive and transfer money
• Use a payment service
• Obtain access to online banking, if the bank offers online banking to corresponding accounts
• Use a debit card with balance control.

A basic payment account does not entitle you to obtain credit cards, overdrafts or loans.

When you apply to open a bank account, the bank will need to verify your identity. The bank will also ask what you intend to use the account for. You might for example need it for salary payments, social benefits, rent, payments abroad or cash withdrawals.

As a starting point, the bank will need your name and your civil registration number. If you do not have a Danish civil registration number, the bank may instead use other identification information, such as your passport number, driver’s licence number or date of birth.

The bank must be able to verify the information you supply, for example using your passport, driver’s licence, national identity card, health card or other documentation.

In some cases, the bank may decline to open a basic payment account. This might for example be the case if:

• The bank considers that opening the account may lead to a breach of the legislation on money laundering
• You have not demonstrated a genuine interest in opening a basic payment account
• You already have a payment account in Denmark with at least the same functions
• You have previously committed criminal offences against the bank
• You have caused offence or inconvenience to the bank’s customers or employees.

The bank must either open the account or refuse the application as soon as possible, and no later than 10 working days after receiving a completed application.

If the bank refuses to open an account, the refusal must be made in writing. The refusal must include a statement of reasons, and indicate how you can appeal the decision.

What can you do if the bank refuses to open an account?

If the bank refuses to open a basic payment account, you can ask the bank for a written refusal, with stated reasons.

You can first of all appeal the decision to the bank’s complaints department. If you are not satisfied with the bank’s response, you can appeal to the Danish Financial Complaint Board. You can also inform the Financial Supervisory Authority if you believe that the bank is not following the rules on a basic payment account.

The banks can themselves assess whether they will issue credit cards, offer overdraft facilities or provide loans. The bank will normally conduct a credit check, and may ask you to document your finances.

If you live or work in another country, it can be more difficult for the bank to assess your finances. You may therefore be asked to document your income, assets or other financial information from abroad.

NemKonto

NemKonto is an ordinary bank account that the public authorities and certain companies can use when they need to make payments to you, such as pension payments, child benefits, social welfare payments or tax rebates.

You can use a Danish or foreign bank account as your NemKonto. You can also use a basic payment account or a basic deposit account as your NemKonto.

If you live abroad and receive money from a Danish public authority, it may be relevant to register a foreign bank account as your NemKonto.

You can access a NemKonto with or without MitID. If you do not have MitID, you can use a form.

MitID is Denmark’s electronic ID system. You can use MitID for public self-service functions and many private services, including online banking.

You can also obtain MitID as a foreigner in Denmark, if you need access to Danish digital self-service solutions. In some cases, you can obtain MitID using the MitID app and a foreign passport or international identity card with a chip. You can also obtain help with MitID from the Citizen Service (Borgerservice).