Can I open a Danish bank account without a CPR number?

Formally, no — traditional banks like Danske Bank and Nordea require CPR. However, Wise and Revolut can provide a Danish IBAN immediately without CPR, which can serve as a NemKonto in the meantime.

Which bank is best for new expats in Denmark?

Lunar is the easiest to open with minimal Danish paperwork and is fully app-based. Wise is best for international transfers. For a full traditional bank, Nordea and Sydbank tend to be most expat-friendly among the major banks.

How long does it take to open a bank account in Denmark?

Digital banks like Lunar take 1–3 days. Traditional banks require an appointment, and the process takes 1–2 weeks once you have CPR and MitID. Nordea is generally faster than Danske Bank for expats.

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

Yes for most banks — MitID requires a Danish number and banks require MitID to log in. Get a Danish SIM card first (Lebara or Telmore start from DKK 29/month) before attempting account setup.

Best Bank Accounts in Denmark (2026)

Which bank account is actually easiest to open as a newcomer in Denmark — including options before and after you get your CPR number.

Quick answer: Open Lunar Bank immediately on arrival — it requires only your passport (no CPR number needed) and gives you a Danish IBAN to receive your first salary. Once you have your CPR number, add it to Lunar to unlock full features, or switch to Nordea or Arbejdernes Landsbank for more traditional full-service banking.

Opening a bank account in Denmark is harder than it should be. Unlike many countries where you can walk into a branch with a passport and leave with a debit card, Danish banks require a layered stack of local credentials before they'll onboard you. If you try to open an account without preparing for this, you'll hit walls.

This guide explains what's actually required, what works without those requirements, and which account to open based on your situation.

The Core Problem

Danish banks require, at minimum:

A CPR number — Denmark's 10-digit personal ID
MitID — Denmark's national digital identity system (requires CPR + a Danish phone number to activate)
A registered Danish address

In practice, this means you cannot open a traditional Danish bank account until you have been in Denmark for at least two to three weeks — the time it takes to get your CPR number and then activate MitID. For many expats, the wait is longer.

Without a Danish bank account, you cannot receive a Danish salary, set up a NemKonto (the government's designated account for paying you), or sign up for MobilePay. These are not optional — they are core infrastructure for life in Denmark.

The solution is a two-stage approach: get a bridging account before CPR, then open a proper Danish account once your CPR arrives.

Stage 1: Before Your CPR Number

These accounts can be opened with just a passport and email address. They will not replace a Danish bank account permanently, but they will get you through the first few weeks.

Wise (Recommended Bridge Account)

Wise gives you a real DKK account number with an IBAN. You can use it to receive money, pay by card, and exchange currencies at the real mid-market rate. Opening takes about 10 minutes online.

The Wise debit card works at every contactless terminal in Denmark. You can withdraw cash at ATMs. The account is held in your name in EUR/DKK/GBP simultaneously.

Limitation: Wise does not support MobilePay, and it may not be accepted as a NemKonto by all public bodies. It is a bridge, not a destination.

Revolut

Similar to Wise. Opens without a CPR number. Works as a DKK card. Slightly worse exchange rates than Wise on some corridors, but the interface is excellent and the account setup is faster.

N26

German mobile bank that operates across the EU. Works in Denmark. Requires an EU address — if you are coming from a non-EU country, you may not be able to use it. Less useful for DKK than Wise or Revolut.

Stage 2: After Your CPR Number

Once you have your CPR number and MitID set up, you have real options. Here is how they compare.

Lunar (Top Recommendation for Most Expats)

Lunar is a Danish challenger bank founded in 2015 and the default recommendation for international newcomers. It was built with English-speaking users in mind and requires no minimum income, no employment contract, and no salary requirement.

What you need to open: CPR number + MitID + a Danish phone number. That's it.

What you get:

DKK account with full Danish bank account number (suitable for NemKonto designation)
Visa debit card (Dankort — works everywhere in Denmark)
MobilePay support
Savings "pockets" with interest
English-language app and support
Integration with Danish payroll systems

Monthly fee: DKK 0 for the basic tier (Zero), DKK 49/month for the standard plan with more features. The free tier is sufficient for most expats.

Limitations: Customer service response times can be slow. International wire transfers (SWIFT) have limited support compared to traditional banks. Investment features are available but basic.

Lunar is the right choice for the majority of expats, especially those employed in Denmark who do not need complex banking.

Arbejdernes Landsbank (Workers' Bank)

A traditional Danish bank that has historically been more welcoming to newcomers than the big banks. They have English-speaking staff at most branches and are open to opening accounts for people without long Danish banking histories.

You will still need CPR and MitID, and you should call ahead or book an appointment online before visiting. Expect more paperwork than Lunar but also more services: overdraft facilities, investment products, and mortgage eligibility.

Nordea (International Branch)

Nordea operates an internationally-focused service and has English-language onboarding at several branches. They will often ask for proof of employment and an employer letter, making this more suitable for people with a formal employment contract in hand.

Not recommended as a first account given the friction, but worth considering if you need a salary account at a more traditional institution.

Danske Bank

Danske Bank is Denmark's largest bank and offers solid services, but they are notoriously strict with newcomers. Unless you have a Danish employer who has an existing relationship with Danske Bank (some employers negotiate group account opening for international hires), expect to be turned away or put on a waiting list.

Not recommended as a first account. Potentially worth revisiting after 12–18 months in Denmark.

Comparison Table

Account	Requires CPR	MobilePay	English App	Monthly Fee	NemKonto Ready
Wise	No	No	Yes	0 (card fee varies)	Sometimes
Revolut	No	No	Yes	0 (basic)	No
Lunar (free)	Yes	Yes	Yes	DKK 0	Yes
Lunar (standard)	Yes	Yes	Yes	DKK 49	Yes
Arbejdernes Landsbank	Yes	Yes	Partial	DKK 0–40	Yes
Nordea	Yes	Yes	Partial	DKK 30–60	Yes
Danske Bank	Yes	Yes	No	DKK 40–70	Yes

Which Account Should You Open Based on Your Situation?

Student at a Danish university

Open Wise immediately on arrival. Apply for Lunar the day your CPR number arrives. Designate Lunar as your NemKonto. Keep Wise for international transfers and currency exchange. Done.

Employed by a Danish company

Same as above. Additionally, notify your payroll department of your Lunar account number as soon as it is active — most Danish payroll systems process salaries on fixed dates and missing the cutoff means waiting another month. If your employer has a preferred banking partner, ask them before opening anything.

Freelancer or self-employed

Lunar works for receiving client payments. For invoicing international clients, Wise is better — you can hold foreign currency and transfer it to Lunar when needed. If you expect high-value transactions or need a business account, Arbejdernes Landsbank is worth approaching.

High-income employee (considering the §48E researcher tax scheme)

Your tax card and NemKonto setup are time-sensitive. Open Lunar immediately after CPR. Designate it as NemKonto on borger.dk. Then assess whether you need a full-service bank for investment or mortgage products — if so, Nordea or a larger institution is the next step, but Lunar will cover your day-to-day needs.

What Is a NemKonto?

NemKonto ("Easy Account") is a Danish government system that designates one specific bank account to receive all government payments — tax refunds, subsidies, and any public-sector salary. You must register a NemKonto, and it must be a fully compliant Danish bank account (not Wise or Revolut). You designate your NemKonto via borger.dk after logging in with MitID. Lunar accounts are NemKonto-eligible.

The Practical Sequence

Day 1–3 in Denmark: Open Wise online. Use for immediate spending.
Week 1–2: Book and attend Borgerservice appointment. Get CPR number.
Week 2–3: Activate MitID with your CPR number and Danish phone number.
Day of MitID activation: Open Lunar. It takes under 15 minutes.
Same day: Log into borger.dk. Designate Lunar as your NemKonto.
Day after Lunar card arrives: Notify your employer of your account number.
Optional, month 3+: Evaluate whether you need a traditional bank account for any specific product.

Key Takeaways

Danish banks require CPR + MitID + Danish address — you cannot skip this sequence.
Use Wise as a bridge account from day one. It requires only a passport.
Open Lunar as your first proper Danish account the moment you have MitID. It is the easiest option for internationals and supports MobilePay and NemKonto.
Avoid Danske Bank as a first account — the onboarding friction is high and rejection is common without a Danish employment history.
Traditional banks (Nordea, Arbejdernes Landsbank) are worth considering later if you need mortgages, investment products, or a more established banking relationship.