The introduction programme is a training programme that all refugees in Norway are required to participate in. The programme provides Norwegian language training, knowledge about Norwegian society, and help to enter employment or education. Your municipality is responsible for offering the introduction programme, and you have both rights and obligations as a participant. The programme is full-time and lasts from three months to several years, depending on your background. In this guide we explain who can participate, what the programme contains, how long it lasts, and what financial support you receive. Whether you have just been granted residence or are waiting to start, this overview gives you everything you need to know about the introduction programme in 2026.
Who has the right and obligation to participate in the introduction programme
The introduction programme is for refugees and their family members through family reunification who are settled in a Norwegian municipality. From 2025 the age limit was extended so that persons between 18 and 60 years of age now have the right and obligation to participate. The municipality can also assess whether persons between 61 and 67 years of age may benefit from the programme.
You must hold a residence permit that grants the right to the programme. This applies to, among others, persons with asylum, resettlement refugees, persons with collective protection, and family members of refugees. The reference person in Norway must have been settled in the municipality for less than five years when you apply for family reunification.
The municipality assesses each individual case and issues a decision on allocation. Under the Integration Act, which applies to all who received residence after 1 January 2021, you no longer need to prove that you require basic qualification. Everyone in the target group is considered to need knowledge of the Norwegian language, society, and working life.
Have you been granted residence but not heard from the municipality about the introduction programme? Contact the refugee services in your municipality. You have the right to start the programme as quickly as possible after being settled.
What the programme contains in terms of language training and courses
The introduction programme has several mandatory components. Norwegian language training and social studies education are required for all participants. In addition, the programme must include work- or education-oriented elements that prepare you for life after the programme.
Norwegian language training is adapted to your level. The municipality assesses your language skills at the start, and you receive teaching suited to your background. The goal is for you to reach a level of Norwegian that makes you ready for work or further education. The social studies component gives you knowledge about Norwegian laws, rights, democracy, and everyday life — much of what you also need for Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test).
From 2026 it is required that at least 15 hours per week consist of work-oriented elements from the fourth month of the programme. This can include work placements, job-seeking courses, or vocational training. If you have children under 18, you must also participate in a parenting guidance course.
All participants have the right to skills mapping and career guidance. The mapping looks at your education, work experience, and language skills so that the programme is tailored to you. Use the career guidance actively — it helps you set realistic goals for what you want to achieve.
How long the introduction programme lasts in 2026
The duration of the introduction programme depends on your educational background and the final goal set in your individual plan. The programme can last from three months to several years.
If you have upper secondary education or higher, you will receive a shorter programme focused on employment or further education. If you have little formal education, the programme may last longer. For participants who are to complete full upper secondary education within the programme period, it can last up to four years with the possibility of a one-year extension. For work-oriented programmes the duration is shorter.
From 1 January 2026 new rules on duration apply. Check with your municipality which rules apply to you, as transitional rules depend on when you received residence and when you started the programme.
For participants over 55 years of age the programme is always work-oriented and can last up to twelve months without the possibility of extension. The municipality sets the duration based on your individual plan, which you draw up together with your programme adviser.
The programme is full-time, meaning it follows regular working hours. You attend every day, and unexcused absence leads to a deduction in your benefit. Make sure to report illness or other reasons for absence immediately.
Introduction benefit and financial rights
As a participant in the introduction programme you are entitled to an introduction benefit. The benefit equals two times the National Insurance basic amount per year. In 2026 this means a gross income that provides you with a financial basis while you participate in the programme.
The benefit is paid monthly in arrears based on registered attendance. If you are under 25 and do not live with your parents, you receive two-thirds of the full benefit. If you live with one or both parents, you receive one-third. The benefit is taxable but does not earn pension points.
Unexcused absence leads to deductions in the benefit. If you are absent due to illness or other compelling welfare reasons, you can apply for approved absence. The municipality records your attendance carefully, and it is important to follow the procedures for reporting absence.
Note that other public benefits you received before the programme started may lead to a reduction in the introduction benefit. Speak with NAV (welfare office) or the refugee services in your municipality if you are unsure how the benefit is affected by other income. Read more about financial requirements related to residence in our guide on permanent residence.
How to get the most out of the integration programme
The introduction programme is a unique opportunity to build a future in Norway. To get the most out of the programme, you should participate actively and set clear goals from the start.
Make good use of the skills mapping and career guidance. Be honest about what you already know, and be open to new directions. Career guidance is now a right under the Integration Act, and the county authority is responsible for providing it. Ask for guidance if you have not been offered it.
Norwegian language training is the most important part of the programme. The better Norwegian you learn, the easier it will be to find a job and participate in society. Practise Norwegian outside the classroom too — talk to neighbours, read Norwegian news, and use apps like SamfunnPrep to prepare for Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test) at the same time.
Your individual plan is a tool you should use actively. Request updates if your goals change. If you experience difficulties with the programme, you have the right to complain. Contact the municipality or IMDi (Directorate of Integration and Diversity) if you feel you are not receiving the offer you are entitled to.
Completing the introduction programme strengthens your application for permanent residence and citizenship. Prioritise attendance, participate actively, and make use of all the resources offered.