Key Takeaways
- A NemKonto helps you receive government payments in Denmark.
- Once you have a NemKonto, every Danish public authority can deposit funds into your account without asking for your account info.
- You can use most existing accounts as a NemKonto — including your Danish bank account, EU account, or eligible foreign account.
- Approval is reasonably fast if you have a local Danish bank account.
What Is NemKonto?
A NemKonto is a bank account or financial account that you designate to receive payments from Denmark’s public authorities.
It’s mandatory for anyone in Denmark who receives government payments, including citizens, residents, international students, and businesses.
There are several types of payments that your NemKonto can receive, such as tax refunds, child benefits, student loans and grants, unemployment benefits, pensions, holiday pay, disability benefits, social welfare, and more.
How Does NemKonto Work?
You can choose any local Danish bank account to serve as a NemKonto. You don’t need to open a new bank account to accomplish this.
Additionally, you can use certain foreign accounts as a NemKonto. In this case, the account must be with a foreign financial institution that meets requirements, and you’ll need to register your account with NemKonto International.
Once you’ve designated an eligible bank account as a NemKonto, the government will automatically send payments to it.
This means setting up a NemKonto is a one-time action. You don’t need to provide your bank details to each Danish public authority — they will all know how to send payments to your NemKonto account.
What Accounts Are Eligible?
According to NemKonto.dk, you can assign a NemKonto to accounts from:
- Danish banks, payment institutions, and e-money institutions.
- EU/EEA credit institutions, payment institutions, and e-money institutions.
- Faroese and Greenlandic banks.
- Faroese payment institutions and e-money institutions.
- Credit institutions outside of the EU/EEA.
It’s important to note that the NemKonto Association needs to approve foreign accounts. Not all foreign accounts and institutions are eligible.
What Do I Need to Register?
To register your NemKonto, you’ll need to provide documentation to your bank — or to the NemKonto registration authority for foreign accounts.
Required documentation varies but might include:
- Your CPR number (civil registration number), which you can obtain through your local municipal Citizen Service Centre (Borgerservice).
- A MitID (digital identity app or token) if you apply for a NemKonto online or make changes to your NemKonto through the self-serve portal. You can get a MitID only after you obtain your CPR number.
- Proof of identity, such as a passport or ID card.
- Tax card (skattekort), plus other tax information if you’re a business.
- Proof of address showing that you reside in Denmark. For example, utility bills, housing agreements, and education or work documents.
- A residence permit or agreement.
- Your account details, including your IBAN, BIC, and SWIFT codes, depending on the account’s country of registration.
How Do I Get a NemKonto?
There’s more than one way to register your NemKonto account.
Remember, you’ll need a financial account ahead of time, but once you have one, you can assign it to a NemKonto in any of the following ways.
Option 1: Through Your Bank
You can contact your bank and tell them to assign your account as a NemKonto.
If you visit your bank branch, you’ll need to provide some of the documentation listed above. You’ll need your ID and CPR number at a minimum.
Note that some banks allow you to submit your request by phone or via online banking, though this option is not offered by all banks.
Option 2: Online Self-Service With MitID
If you have a MitID, you can assign a NemKonto to a local Danish bank account through NemKonto’s self-service portal.
Though the process is mostly online, you’ll receive an activation letter (and code) by mail. As of mid-2025, it’s not possible to receive this by email or Digital Post.
After receiving the letter, follow its instructions to complete the process.
You can make changes to your NemKonto through self-service at any time.
Option 3: With a Foreign Account Form
If you want to use a foreign account as your NemKonto, you’ll need to fill out a registration form and send it to the NemKonto Administration.
It’s a more complex process than registering a local Danish bank account.
You’ll face an extended approval wait as the registration authority verifies your personal details, ensures your foreign bank is eligible, and checks for compliance with Danish regulations. This can take multiple weeks.
If you send the form by mail, you’ll need to have it signed by witnesses or a notary. If you use online self-service, you only need to provide your MitID.
Other Considerations
There are some other things you should consider during NemKonto registration:
- Transaction fees: If you use a foreign account as your NemKonto, your bank may charge fees for international transfers and currency conversions. This may affect certain payments arriving in your account.
- Security and privacy: Your NemKonto is secured with your private information, but you need to keep your data safe. Always use trusted channels to access government websites. Avoid sharing your MitID.
- Registration wait times: Signing up for a NemKonto involves processing times, so you should register well in advance of your first payment. Local accounts face a multiple-day wait time. Foreign accounts and businesses (whether local or foreign) face a several-week wait time.
- Changing your account: If you close your bank account, switch banks, or make other similar changes, you should also expect a wait time. Try to update your NemKonto several weeks before your expected payment.
- Errors in your personal info: Be sure your personal information is entered correctly, up to date, and matches what authorities have on file.
How Payset Can Help
A local Danish IBAN from Payset gives you an easy way to transact in Danish krone (DKK) and access the NemKonto system.
It can also help you access these payment networks:
SWIFT: The world’s largest international bank messaging network.
Intradag: Denmark’s same-day settlement system.
Kronos2: The Danish interbank retail payment system.
If you would like to benefit from a Danish IBAN from Payset, or if you have questions about the NemKonto system, get in touch and a member of our team will assist you.
