Family & Children Guide
Barnetrygd (Child Benefit)
Amount (from 1 Febuary 2026)
- 2,012 kr per month per child
- 24,144 kr per year per child
- Applies to all children under 18 – you can request extra help if you are a single parent, and/or if your child is 0-3 y/o
- Tax free
Who Gets It?
- All families living in Norway with children under 18
- Both Norwegian citizens and foreign residents with valid residence permit
- Apply at nav.no
Extended Barnetrygd (Single Parents)
- Single parents receive benefit for one extra child
- Example: 1 child = paid as if you have 2 children
Kontantstøtte (Cash for Care)
Who Gets It?
- Parents of children aged 13-19 months who do not use full-time kindergarten
Amount (2025)
- 7,500 kr per month for children not in kindergarten
- Reduced amount for part-time kindergarten use
Important
- Period: From the 13th to the 19th month (7 months total)
- Apply at nav.no
Kindergarten (Barnehage)
Cost
- Maximum price: 1,200 kr per month nationally
- In the least central municipalities (sentralitetssone 5 and 6): 700 kr per month
- In Finnmark and Nord-Troms (tiltakssonen): Free
- Reduced price for low-income families
- Free core hours for 2–5 year olds in low-income families
How to Apply
- Apply through your municipality
- Main intake: August each year
- Apply early – waiting lists can be long
Parental Leave (Foreldrepenger)
Options
- 49 weeks at 100% of salary
- 61 weeks and 1 day at 80% of salary (changed from 59 weeks from 1 July 2024)
How it is Divided
| Period |
49 weeks |
61 weeks + 1 day |
| Mother's quota |
15 weeks |
15 weeks |
| Father's quota |
15 weeks |
15 weeks |
| Shared period |
16 weeks |
28 weeks + 1 day |
| Before birth |
3 weeks |
3 weeks |
Requirements
- Must have worked 6 of the last 10 months
- Pay: 100% or 80% of income up to 6G
- Can be combined with part-time work (gradert uttak)
Father's Quota
- 15 weeks reserved for the father
- Cannot be transferred to the mother
- Use it or lose it
Engangsstønad (Lump Sum at Birth)
- For parents who do not qualify for foreldrepenger
- One-time payment: 92,648 kr (2025)
- Apply at nav.no
Svangerskapspenger (Pregnancy Benefit)
- For pregnant women who cannot continue working due to risk to the baby
- 100% of salary up to 6G
- Apply through your employer and NAV
Schools
Enrolling Your Child
- Contact your local municipality
- Children must start school the year they turn 6
- Free for all residents
Norwegian Language Support
- Schools must offer Norwegian language support for children who need it
- Ask your municipality about available support
Healthcare for Children
Free Healthcare
- All healthcare is free for children under 16
- Dental care is free for children under 18
Helsestasjon (Child Health Centre)
- Free health checks for all children from birth to school age
- Vaccinations included
- Located in every municipality
Public Holidays – Practical Info
- Most shops and services are closed on:
- 17. May (Constitution Day)
- Easter (Thursday–Monday)
- Christmas (24–26 December)
- New Year (1 January)
- Vinmonopolet (alcohol store) is closed on all public holidays
- Plan ahead – especially for Easter and Christmas when closures last several days