Can you get a loan with only a D-Nummer, without a permanent personal number?
A D-Nummer is a temporary identification number assigned in Norway to individuals who don't have a permanent personal number (fødselsnummer) but need an identifier for reasons such as employment, taxation, or other bureaucratic requirements.
With a temporary personal number (D-nummer), you cannot apply for a loan in Norway. You need a permanent personal number (fødselsnummer) for that. Moreover, individuals with a D-Nummer often have a less stable situation, for instance, being in Norway temporarily on an employment contract, which might increase the risk for the bank. Hence, these individuals will face rejections from Norwegian banks when trying to apply for a loan.
How to obtain a permanent personal number?
Before applying for a loan, you need to obtain a permanent personal number, also known as fødselsnummer. It consists of 11 digits, with the first six being your date of birth. If you wish to apply for a permanent personal number, you must visit the Skatteetaten's Folkeregisteret branch (population registry) with an employment contract for at least half a year and a lease agreement for an apartment/room/house. The process is as follows:
- First and foremost, you need to obtain the right to permanent residency in Norway. This means you must meet certain criteria, such as having employment or being a family member of a Norwegian citizen.
- Once you meet these criteria, you can submit an application for a personal number at the Skatteetaten office (in the Folkeregisteret branch). You'll need to provide certain documents, such as your passport, proof of employment, or documents confirming family ties.
- After submitting the application, you'll have to wait for the office's decision. The waiting time can vary based on several factors, such as the office's workload or the complexity of your case.
Obtaining a permanent personal number is a significant decision, typically indicating an intention to settle in Norway for an extended period. However, as you can see, it's essential if, for instance, you want to obtain a personal loan in Norway.
Most common reasons for receiving inkasso
Let's move on to another issue, which is inkasso. It's a debt recovery process that can affect anyone who fails to settle their financial obligations on time.
The most common reasons for receiving inkasso are surprisingly mundane:
- unpaid utility bills,
- outstanding housing payments,
- unsettled credit obligations,
- unpaid fines,
- unsettled medical service bills,
- unpaid phone bills.
Yes, even an overdue parking ticket or an unpaid gym membership can result in inkasso.
The inkasso procedure
The inkasso process begins when a debtor fails to settle their financial obligation on time (they have at least 14 days for this). They previously receive a payment notice. The creditor, the person or company to whom the debtor owes money, can then assign the debt recovery to a collection agency. This agency contacts the debtor, informing them of the arrears and proposing a repayment date. If the debtor doesn't settle the debt, the collection agency can take further steps, such as applying to the court for a payment order.
Applying for a loan after settling inkasso
After settling an inkasso debt, information about this obligation can remain in your credit history for 4 years. This means that banks and other financial institutions will see this entry when assessing your loan application. However, this doesn't mean you can't get a loan during this period. A lot depends on individual circumstances - your income, employment stability, other financial obligations, and of course, the specific bank's policy. After settling an inkasso debt, it's essential to obtain a repayment confirmation and regularly monitor your credit history.
Monitoring your loan situation
After settling inkasso, it's a good idea to regularly check your credit situation. You can do this using the Gjeldsmonitor app, which is a free tool for monitoring debt. The app allows you to check your credit score for free and provides information on how to improve your credit situation.
Remember, regularly monitoring your credit situation allows for the quick detection of potential issues and taking appropriate steps to avoid new inkasso.