How to Get a CPR Number in Denmark

Updated By exploringdenmark

When you move to Denmark and find a place to live, you must register with the Civil Registration System. This gives you a CPR number — a unique 10-digit personal ID that unlocks almost everything else: healthcare, banking, tax, MitID, and digital post.

This guide explains what the CPR number is, who needs one, what documents to prepare, and how to register — whether you go through International House Copenhagen or your local Borgerservice.

CPR NUMMER XXXXXX-XXXX Address MitID e-Boks Bank SKAT Proof of address Get your CPR Unlock everything

What is the CPR number?

CPR stands for Det Centrale Personregister — the Central Person Register. It’s a national registry that has tracked every resident of Denmark since 1968.

When you register, you’re assigned a CPR number: a unique 10-digit code. The first six digits are your date of birth (DDMMYY), and the last four are a unique identifier. The final digit indicates gender — odd for men, even for women.1

You’ll use this number constantly. Banks ask for it, your employer needs it, and every government system is built around it. Think of it as your key to the Danish administrative system.

The CPR number is not the same as a tax number (skattepersonnummer). If you work in Denmark short-term or commute from Sweden or Germany, SKAT may issue you a tax number instead. If you later move to Denmark permanently, that tax number gets converted into a CPR number.2

Why you need a CPR number

You need a CPR number to do almost anything administrative in Denmark:

Public healthcareYellow card arrives 2–4 weeks later
MitIDDenmark’s digital identity
Bank account & NemKontoReceive salary and refunds
Tax card from SKATCorrect salary deductions
e-Boks & Digital PostOfficial government letters
Daily adminSchools, library, phone contracts

Without a CPR, you’ll be taxed at the highest rate (~55%), can’t access Digital Post, and most banks won’t open a full account.

What you don’t need it for

  • Starting work. Your employer can request a temporary tax number. It’s better to have your CPR, but you can begin your job while registration is being processed.
  • Opening a basic bank account. A few banks accept passport-only, though functionality is limited.
  • Emergency medical treatment. Hospitals treat emergencies regardless of registration status.

Who can get a CPR number

You can register if you meet all three conditions:3

  1. Your stay exceeds 3 months. Nordic citizens have a 6-month threshold, but can register earlier for MitID or healthcare.
  2. You have a place to live. A rental contract, employer housing, or signed housing confirmation.
  3. You are legally allowed to stay. EU citizens need an EU residence document from SIRI. Non-EU citizens need a valid residence permit or approval letter.

Who does not need one

  • Short-term visitors under 3 months.
  • Cross-border commuters — SKAT issues a tax number instead.4
  • Nordic citizens under 6 months — unless they want MitID or healthcare.5

Before you apply

The process is mostly digital: apply online first, then attend an in-person appointment. The full process takes 2–3 weeks.6

Documents you’ll need
  • Valid passport or national ID cardEU citizens can use a national ID card. Non-EU citizens should bring their passport.
  • Residence permit or EU residence documentEU/EEA: registration certificate from SIRI. Non-EU: residence permit or approval letter.
  • Proof of addressRental contract or signed housing confirmation. IHC has a downloadable form.
  • Marriage/divorce certificate (if applicable)Must be in Danish, English, or a Nordic language. Apostille required from convention countries.
  • Children’s birth certificates (if registering children)Original plus translation. Consent from both parents needed.
  • Nordic social security number (if from a Nordic country)Bring documentation of this number.
Important

You can submit your application up to 1 month before your move-in date — but not earlier. Don’t book your appointment before the date on your rental contract.7

How to register — EU/EEA citizens

Get your EU residence document from SIRI

You need a valid EU residence document (EU-opholdsdokument) from SIRI. Book at International House Copenhagen or SIRI’s office. Must be no older than 6 months on your CPR appointment day.8

Apply for CPR registration online

Go to International House’s registration page or your local Borgerservice website. Upload all documents. Make sure your email is correct — all appointment invitations come by email.9

Attend your in-person appointment

After 2–3 weeks, you’ll receive an email with a booking link. Bring all originals. Ask about MitID and tax card setup at the same visit.10

Wait for your yellow health card

CPR number is usually issued the same day. Your yellow health card (sundhedskort) arrives by post 2–4 weeks later with your assigned GP.11

Tip: International House Copenhagen lets you handle SIRI, CPR, MitID, and tax card in a coordinated sequence. If you’re in the Copenhagen area, it’s the most efficient path.

How to register — non-EU citizens

Get your residence permit or approval letter

You need a valid permit from SIRI or the Immigration Service — work permit, family reunification, or study permit. An approval letter is accepted if the physical card isn’t ready yet.12

Apply online and attend your appointment

Same process as EU citizens: apply at IHC’s non-EU page or your local Borgerservice, upload documents, wait 2–3 weeks, then attend in person with originals.

Where to register

International House Copenhagen

International House Copenhagen — Nyropsgade 1, 1602 København V. Combines SIRI, CPR, MitID, and tax card under one roof. All services free.13

Hours: Mon 09–15 · Wed 11–17 · Thu 09–15 · Fri 09–14 · Tue closed

Frederiksberg residents must go through International House Copenhagen rather than local Borgerservice.14

Your local Borgerservice

Outside Copenhagen, register at your municipality’s Borgerservice. Same process. Each person needs a separate appointment — a family of four needs four bookings.15

After you register

  • Healthcare enrolment — automatic. Yellow card arrives 2–4 weeks later.
  • MitID — apply immediately, same day if possible.
  • Tax card — SKAT generates your forskudsopgørelse with your CPR.
  • e-Boks — once MitID is active, check your Digital Post.
  • NemKonto — link your bank account to receive salary and benefits.
What to do in the first 30 days →
The complete sequence after CPR: MitID, e-Boks, bank, NemKonto, tax card, and everything else in the right order.

Common problems

Your landlord won’t provide a housing confirmation

You have the legal right to register where you live. Explain that the confirmation carries no financial obligation. Ask IHC or Borgerservice for advice on alternatives.16

Your EU residence document is expired

Must be valid and under 6 months old. Renew through SIRI before your CPR appointment.

You already have an administrative CPR number

An administrative CPR from SIRI is not a residential CPR — it was for internal tracking. You still need to apply. The administrative number converts to a residential one.17

Questions and answers

How much does it cost?

Free. All CPR registration services are provided at no charge.18

How long does it take?

2–3 weeks from online application to receiving your number at the in-person appointment. Often issued same day in Copenhagen.

Can I register before arriving?

No. You can submit the application up to 1 month before your move-in date, but the appointment must be after you’ve moved in.19

What if I already lived in Denmark before?

You still need to re-apply. A residential CPR isn’t automatically reactivated. If you had one before, the same number is reused.20

I forgot my CPR number

With MitID: message the Civil Registration Office via Digital Post. Without: visit Borgerservice with ID and pay 95 DKK (2026) for a certificate.21

Do I report when I leave?

Yes. Deregister your address with your municipality when you move abroad.

Sources

  1. Nordic Council — CPR number ↩
  2. IHC — EU guide: tax number vs CPR. ↩
  3. Study in Denmark — CPR ↩
  4. Øresunddirekt — CPR/tax number ↩
  5. Aarhus University — Nordic exception ↩
  6. IHC — CPR Registration: 2–3 weeks processing. ↩
  7. IHC — Online application: no earlier than 1 month before. ↩
  8. IHC — EU guide: document must be under 6 months. ↩
  9. IHC — CPR: correct email essential. ↩
  10. IHC — Services: CPR, MitID, tax at same location. ↩
  11. City of Copenhagen — CPR: yellow card in ~4 weeks. ↩
  12. IHC — Non-EU guide ↩
  13. IHC: all services free. ↩
  14. Frederiksberg Municipality ↩
  15. Frederiksberg: one appointment per person. ↩
  16. CPR Act ↩
  17. IHC: administrative CPR converts. ↩
  18. IHC: free. ↩
  19. Study in Denmark: after arrival only. ↩
  20. IHC: must reapply. ↩
  21. City of Copenhagen — Forgotten CPR: 95 DKK. ↩