Norway (NO)
Norway is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy in Northern Europe — one of the three Scandinavian nations, occupying the western and northern portions of the Scandinavian Peninsula.
Capital: Oslo
Region: Europe
Language: Norwegian Bokmål
Currency: NOK (kr)
Cost of living: Very expensive (index 88)
Emergency: 112
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Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in Norway.
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Permanent Residency
Name
Permanent Residence Permit
Eligibility
Non-EEA nationals who have held a continuous residence permit in Norway for at least 3 years (if holding a skilled worker or work permit). EEA citizens can acquire permanent residence after 5 years of continuous residence.
Duration
Permanent — no renewal required once granted. Revocable only in specific circumstances (prolonged absence, fraud).
Requirements
- ✓Continuous legal residence in Norway for at least 3 years (non-EEA skilled workers) or 5 years (other categories)
- ✓Must not have received certain social benefits in the preceding 12 months
- ✓No serious criminal convictions
- ✓A2 Norwegian language oral test (updated requirement — previously A1; a transitional period existed for appointments before 1 September 2025)
- ✓Social studies test (in a language you understand)
- ✓Income requirement: minimum NOK 310,070/year (2026)
- ✓Completed introduction programme if applicable
- ✓Valid identity documents throughout the period
Norway's permanent residency (permanent oppholdstillatelse) provides significant security and stability. The PR language requirement was updated from A1 to A2 — verify current threshold at udi.no before applying. EEA citizens get an EEA permanent residence permit after 5 years under EU Directive 2004/38/EC as applied in Norway.
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Citizenship
Name
Norwegian Citizenship
Eligibility
Long-term residents who meet the residency, language, and knowledge requirements. Routes: standard residency route (8 years in the past 11 years for non-EEA), reduced periods for some categories, and Nordic citizens (3 years for Danes, Swedes, Finns, Icelanders).
Duration
Permanent — Norwegian citizenship cannot be revoked (except in cases of fraud or serious criminal offences).
Requirements
- ✓8 years of legal residence in Norway in the past 11 years (standard route for non-EEA)
- ✓5 years of residence for refugees and stateless persons
- ✓3 years for Nordic citizens (Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Icelandic)
- ✓2–3 years for EEA citizens under some conditions
- ✓Norwegian language test at minimum B1 oral level (Norskprøve — norskprøven)
- ✓Norwegian society and culture knowledge test (Statsborgerprøven) — 36 questions (32 scored, 4 pilot), pass mark 24/32 correct; 60 minutes
- ✓Age 18+ (children may derive citizenship from parents)
- ✓Not convicted of certain criminal offences within the past 5–15 years (depending on severity)
- ✓Have lived in Norway for more than half of the qualifying period
Norway allows dual citizenship since 1 January 2020 — a significant change. You no longer need to renounce your original citizenship when naturalising as Norwegian. This makes Norwegian citizenship much more attractive for expats. Application at udi.no. Processing time: typically 6–18 months. Language test: Norskprøven oral exam at B1 minimum. Knowledge test: Statsborgerprøven (50 questions about Norwegian society, history, and geography, in Norwegian). The test has 100% pass rate for well-prepared applicants.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
Citizenship by Birth
Eligibility
Children born to at least one Norwegian parent are Norwegian citizens by birth regardless of birthplace.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent from birth.
Requirements
- ✓At least one Norwegian citizen parent
- ✓Register birth with Norwegian authorities
Children born abroad to Norwegian parents should be registered with the Norwegian embassy/consulate in the country of birth.
Citizenship by Marriage / Civil Partnership
Eligibility
Spouses and registered partners of Norwegian citizens may apply for citizenship after 3 years of marriage/partnership AND a total of 5 years of legal residence in Norway.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent.
Requirements
- ✓3 years of marriage or registered partnership with a Norwegian citizen
- ✓Total 5 years of legal residence in Norway
- ✓Norwegian language B1
- ✓Statsborgerprøven
Marriage to a Norwegian citizen reduces the residence requirement but does not eliminate it. Norwegian language proficiency remains required.
Citizenship by Declaration (Nordic Citizens)
Eligibility
Danish, Swedish, Finnish, and Icelandic citizens who have lived legally in Norway for at least 3 years.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent.
Requirements
- ✓3 years of legal residence in Norway
- ✓Nordic passport or national ID
- ✓Registration with Folkeregisteret throughout the period
Nordic citizens benefit from a greatly simplified path to Norwegian citizenship, reflecting the unique Nordic Passport Union and cultural ties. The language requirement is waived as Danish/Swedish/Finnish/Icelandic are considered mutually comprehensible at functional level.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
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Dual citizenship is allowed — Norway has allowed dual citizenship since 1 January 2020 under the Norwegian Citizenship Act (statsborgerloven). Both new applicants for Norwegian citizenship AND existing Norwegian citizens acquiring foreign citizenship are permitted to hold dual (or multiple) citizenship. This was a major policy change. Previously, Norway required renunciation of foreign citizenship — this requirement is now abolished. Existing Norwegian citizens who previously lost their Norwegian citizenship through acquiring a foreign nationality may apply for reinstatement (tilbakemelding). This is straightforward and processed by UDI.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
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