Denmark's 10-digit personal identification number — the key to Danish public services, banking, and property ownership. EU/EEA citizens must register with Borgerservice to receive one.
The CPR-nummer (Det Centrale Personregister number) is Denmark's 10-digit personal identity number, issued by the CPR Office and accessible through the local borgerservice (citizen service) centre. The format is DDMMYY-XXXX. The CPR-nummer is Denmark's master identifier, used for tax filings, healthcare, banking, property registration, and virtually all official administrative processes.
For expats moving to Denmark, obtaining a CPR-nummer is the essential first step. Without it, opening a Danish bank account is practically impossible, accessing the national health service requires the yellow health insurance card (det gule sundhedskort) which is issued with the CPR, and property ownership cannot be registered in the Tingbogen (land register). EU/EEA citizens register at Borgerservice for periods exceeding three months, simultaneously obtaining a registration certificate (registreringsbevis) and the CPR-nummer.
Non-EU/EEA nationals must first obtain a Danish residence permit from the Danish Immigration Service (Udlaendingestyrelsen) before applying for a CPR-nummer. Those with a short-term connection to Denmark may instead use their passport and a TIN (tax identification number) applied for at Skattestyrelsen for property transaction purposes.
Danish property transactions require the buyer's CPR-nummer for registration in the Tingbogen. The deed (skode) submitted to Tinglysningsretten must include your CPR-nummer. Non-residents purchasing Danish property — subject to strict Danish restrictions — use their passport details and a Danish TIN.
The CPR-nummer is also the basis for MitID (Denmark's digital identity from 2022) and NemKonto (the designated bank account for government payments). Foreign nationals residing in Denmark must set up MitID as soon as possible after receiving their CPR-nummer.
Visit your local Borgerservice centre with your EU/EEA passport, proof of Danish address, and documentation of your basis for residence. You receive a registration certificate and your CPR-nummer on the same visit, or within a few days.
Denmark has strict restrictions on foreign non-residents purchasing residential property. EU citizens with Danish residence rights may generally purchase. Non-EU non-residents and EU non-residents require permission from the Ministry of Justice. Always take Danish legal advice before proceeding.
The CPR-nummer is the personal identity number for individuals. The CVR-nummer is the business registration number for Danish companies, issued by the Danish Business Authority. Companies purchasing Danish real estate use their CVR-nummer for Tingbogen registration.
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