Opening a bank account in Denmark in 2026: CPR, MitID and payments
In short. Consumers lawfully resident in an EU country have a right to one basic payment account, and a bank may not refuse it solely because you lack Danish residence, a CPR number or MitID. The bank must still follow anti-money-laundering rules and can refuse on lawful grounds. Checked 10 November 2026 against the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority and Life in Denmark.
Who can open a basic payment account?
The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority says private customers are entitled to one basic deposit account and one basic payment account. This covers EU citizens and people lawfully resident in an EU country. The bank may refuse if you already hold an equivalent account in Denmark, or if you will not provide the information it must collect under anti-money-laundering rules. The bank must answer as soon as possible and within 10 working days of a complete application.
Do you need CPR or MitID?
For a basic payment account the bank cannot require a Danish CPR number, MitID or residence in Denmark. Without MitID, however, online banking, transfers and online sign-up for Betalingsservice may not work, so ask the bank about alternatives. The right to a basic account does not mean every other product or service is approved automatically.
What is NemKonto?
NemKonto is an existing bank account that you nominate for payments from public authorities, such as tax refunds. Authorities can only pay money into it. It is free, and you need a Danish CPR number to register one. You can nominate the account through NemKonto self-service with MitID, through your bank, or with a form for a foreign account. The activation letter goes to your address in the CPR register.
How do MitID, MobilePay and cards differ?
MitID is digital identification for many public and private services. MobilePay is a separate payment service whose access depends on the provider's rules. A bank account does not automatically give you MitID or MobilePay. Compare card fees, account fees, currency conversion and international transfer costs before choosing a bank. See the bank directory for Copenhagen.
Which documents should you prepare?
The Financial Supervisory Authority lists no fixed set of documents, but the bank must be able to collect the information that anti-money-laundering rules require. Expect to show identification and explain the purpose of the account, and ask the bank for a written list. A refusal should normally come with written reasons. Use the invoice's payment reference and follow the sender's instructions for bank transfer or Betalingsservice.
Frequently asked questions
No. A bank may not refuse the account solely because you lack a CPR number.
No, but online banking and online sign-ups may be limited.
No. NemKonto is the account that public authorities pay into.
No, a Danish CPR number is required to register a NemKonto.
Yes, because of anti-money-laundering rules.
No, MitID is a separate solution.
Yes, so the payment is matched to the right bill.
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