Norwegian Citizenship Guide
Who is this for?
This guide is for people who have lived in Norway for several years and want to become Norwegian citizens.
Requirements
Years of Residence
- General requirement (main rule): 8 years of residence in Norway within the last 11 years
- Must have had continuous residence permits of at least 1 year at a time
- Time spent on a student permit does not count toward the residence requirement
- Exceptions:
- Protection (asylum background): 7 years within the last 10 years
- Sufficient income (tilstrekkelig inntekt): 6 years within the last 10 years
- Nordic citizens: 7 years continuous residence (notification, not application)
Language Requirements
- Must pass a test in Norwegian oral at level B1 (for applicants aged 18–67)
- Must pass a social studies test in Norwegian
- Exceptions apply for certain groups (elderly, health reasons, etc.)
- Note: The B1 oral requirement for citizenship is a higher standard than the A2 requirement for permanent residence – these are two distinct rules
Clean Criminal Record
- No serious criminal convictions
- Certain waiting periods apply depending on the offence
No Outstanding Debt to the State
- No unpaid taxes, fines, or other debt to Norwegian authorities
Dual Citizenship
- Norway allows dual citizenship (since 2020)
- You do not need to give up your original citizenship
How to Apply
- Apply at udi.no
- Submit documentation (residence history, language test results, etc.)
- Pay the application fee
Processing Times
- Typical: 12–24 months
Benefits of Norwegian Citizenship
- Norwegian passport (visa-free access to 185+ countries)
- Right to vote in national elections
- Full social security rights
- Can live and work anywhere in the EU/EEA
- Cannot be deported from Norway