MitID: Denmark Digital Identity Guide

MitID is Denmark's national digital identity system. Think of it as a secure login that proves who you are across every digital interaction with Danish institutions — your bank, your tax office, your GP, your insurance provider, and hundreds of government portals. Without MitID, you are locked out of almost everything online in Denmark.

Setting it up as a new arrival has a few specific requirements. Here is exactly how to do it.

What MitID Replaced

MitID launched in 2021 and fully replaced the old NemID system in 2023. If you read any older guides that mention NemID, ignore that information — NemID no longer exists. MitID is the only system now.

NemID was a combination of password and physical code card. MitID is app-based, biometric-capable, and significantly more secure. The shift was mandatory; no one in Denmark can use NemID credentials anymore.

Why You Need MitID

The list of things you cannot do without MitID is easier to describe than the list of things you can. Here are the services that require MitID login:

• skat.dk — Tax returns, tax cards, income assessments
• borger.dk — The main citizen portal: CPR data, address changes, child benefit applications, parental leave
• sundhed.dk — Book GP appointments, access health records, request referrals
• All Danish banks — Every major Danish bank (Danske Bank, Nordea, Jyske Bank, Sydbank, Lunar, etc.) requires MitID for online banking and app login
• e-Boks — Denmark's official digital post system, where the government sends all your official letters
• NemKonto management — Designating your bank account as your state payment account
• Insurance portals, pension providers, and many private sector sites

If you do not set up MitID, you will need to manage every one of these accounts by phone or in person, which is slow and often impossible for certain transactions.

What You Need Before You Start

You cannot set up MitID until you have a CPR number. This is a hard requirement — the system is linked to the Civil Registration System, and there is no workaround.

You also need:

• A Danish phone number — for the initial SMS verification step
• A smartphone (iOS or Android) — to install the MitID authenticator app
• Your passport — you may need to verify your identity during setup

If you do not yet have a Danish phone number, see the note below on handling this situation.

How to Set Up MitID: Step by Step

Step 1: Get a Danish SIM Card First

Before you do anything else, get a Danish SIM card. You can buy a prepaid SIM from Lebara, Lycamobile, CBB Mobil, or Telmore at most supermarkets and convenience stores for under DKK 100. You do not need a CPR number to buy a prepaid SIM. This gives you a Danish mobile number, which MitID requires.

Step 2: Go to mitid.dk

Open mitid.dk in a browser and select "Get MitID" (or "Bestil MitID" in Danish). Choose the option for new users.

Step 3: Enter Your CPR Number and Phone Number

The system will ask for your CPR number and your Danish mobile number. An SMS code is sent to verify the phone number.

Step 4: Verify Your Identity

For new residents, identity verification typically happens in one of two ways:

Option A: Automatic verification using passport biometrics. The MitID setup flow on your phone may ask you to scan your passport chip using NFC. This works for most modern EU and non-EU passports. Follow the on-screen instructions — you hold your phone over the passport chip, and the system reads your biometric data.

Option B: In-person verification at a Borgerservice or bank. If the biometric scan fails or your passport does not have an NFC chip, you will need to visit a Borgerservice office or a participating bank branch. Bring your passport. Staff will verify your identity and complete the MitID registration on their terminal.

Step 5: Install the MitID App

Download the MitID app from the App Store or Google Play. This is the authenticator app — it generates approval prompts when you log in to services. When you try to log in anywhere with MitID, a push notification appears in the app, which you approve with a PIN or biometric (Face ID/fingerprint).

The app requires a PIN to be set during setup. Choose something you will remember — you will use it frequently.

Step 6: Activate the App

Link the app to your MitID identity using the activation code generated during the web setup. Once linked, your MitID is active.

The MitID App vs the MitID Chip

There are two authenticator options:

Method	How it works	Who it's for
MitID App	Push notification on your phone, approved with PIN or biometric	Most users — the standard method
MitID Chip	A hardware token, like a USB key or small device	People without smartphones, or those who prefer hardware security

The chip must be ordered separately and takes a few days to arrive by post. For most expats, the app is the right choice. Use the chip only if you have specific reasons (no smartphone, shared device concerns, etc.).

What to Do If You Don't Have a Danish Phone Number Yet

This is the most common sticking point for new arrivals. MitID requires a Danish number for SMS verification.

Your options:

1. Buy a prepaid Danish SIM immediately on arrival. This is the simplest fix. You can do this at the airport, at a 7-Eleven, or at any supermarket. You do not need a CPR number or a Danish bank account to buy a prepaid SIM.

2. Use a foreign number temporarily. In some cases, the MitID system allows a foreign number for initial verification. This varies by citizenship and passport type. Try it — if the system rejects the number, fall back to buying a Danish SIM.

3. In-person activation at Borgerservice. If you cannot get a Danish number at all (unusual), Borgerservice can assist with in-person MitID activation.

Do not wait until you have a full Danish phone contract. A prepaid SIM from a supermarket costing DKK 30 solves this immediately.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

"The biometric passport scan keeps failing." Make sure your phone's NFC is enabled (Settings → NFC). Remove your passport from any wallet or sleeve. Hold the bottom of the phone (where the NFC chip usually is) flat against the data page of the passport. Try a few times — environmental interference can cause failures.

"I get an error saying my CPR number is not found." Your CPR number may not have propagated to all systems yet. Allow 24–48 hours after receiving your number before attempting MitID setup. If it is still not working after 72 hours, contact the MitID helpdesk (mitid.dk → Contact).

"My app says 'blocked' or 'suspended'." If you enter the wrong PIN too many times, the app locks. You will need to go through identity re-verification to unblock it — either via the web flow with passport biometrics, or in person at Borgerservice.

"I changed phones and can't access MitID." Transfer your MitID to the new phone via the MitID website before you reset or sell your old phone. If you forgot to do this, you will need to re-verify your identity to re-activate MitID on the new device.

After MitID Is Active

Once MitID is working, do these things immediately:

1. Log in to e-Boks (e-boks.dk) — this is where the Danish government sends all official correspondence, including your tax information, letters from the municipality, and CPR confirmation documents. Do not miss this.
2. Log in to skat.dk and request your tax card (skattekort).
3. Contact your bank with your CPR number to complete account setup.
4. Log in to borger.dk to check your registered address is correct.

Key Takeaways

• MitID replaced NemID in 2023 — any older guide mentioning NemID is out of date.
• You cannot set up MitID without a CPR number. Get CPR first.
• You need a Danish phone number for SMS verification — buy a prepaid SIM the day you arrive.
• Setup is app-based. Download the MitID app and use it as your authenticator for all Danish logins.
• If biometric passport scanning fails, go to Borgerservice or a participating bank branch for in-person verification.
• Once active, immediately log in to e-Boks, skat.dk, and borger.dk.