NAV (welfare office) is the most important public agency for immigrants who need help with employment, finances, or social services in Norway. Whether you have just arrived in the country or have lived here for several years, there is a good chance you will come into contact with NAV at some point. NAV administers roughly one third of the national budget and covers everything from unemployment to pensions. This guide explains what NAV does, what rights you have as an immigrant, and how to get started. You will also get an overview of the most important benefits and how the introduction programme connects to NAV's services. Everything is explained step by step, without bureaucratic language.
What is NAV and what services does it offer?
NAV stands for Arbeids- og velferdsetaten (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration). It is Norway's largest public agency and is responsible for employment, social security benefits, and social assistance. NAV was established in 2006 when Aetat, the national insurance service, and the municipal social services were merged. The goal was to make it easier for people to deal with one agency instead of three.
For immigrants in Norway, NAV (welfare office) is often the first point of contact for financial help and employment guidance. NAV has offices in every municipality in the country, and you can also use nav.no for digital services. Most applications for benefits and registration as a job seeker are done online.
NAV has three main areas. The first is employment and activity — help with finding a job, courses, and labour market measures. The second is financial benefits such as unemployment benefit, sick pay, parental benefit, and disability benefit. The third is social services such as financial social assistance, temporary housing, and debt counselling.
NAV also cooperates with municipalities, employers, and educational institutions. This broad role makes NAV a central player in the daily life of most people living in Norway. You can read more about Norwegian public services in our guide on the knowledge of society test. Remember that you can always call NAV on +47 55 55 33 33 to receive guidance in Norwegian or English.
What rights do immigrants have at NAV?
Your rights at NAV (welfare office) depend on three things: your residence permit, how long you have lived in Norway, and whether you have worked and paid taxes. Norway has a membership-based system through the National Insurance Scheme (folketrygden). This means that rights are built up over time.
If you have a permanent residence permit or are a recognised refugee, you generally have the same rights as Norwegian citizens. You can apply for unemployment benefit, sick pay, parental benefit, and other benefits. Read more about the requirements for permanent residence permit.
If you have a temporary residence permit, your rights may be limited. You can still register as a job seeker and receive help with your job search. Family-reunited persons are entitled to many of the same benefits as the main person they are reunited with.
EEA citizens have their own rules. They do not need a residence permit but must register with the police and NAV. After five years of lawful residence in Norway, EEA citizens can apply for a permanent right of residence.
Students and people with temporary permits for work generally have limited access to benefits. However, you may be entitled to emergency social assistance if you find yourself in a crisis situation. Regardless of your status, everyone who is lawfully staying in Norway is entitled to necessary social assistance if they have no other means. Contact your local NAV office for a concrete assessment of your situation.
How to register with NAV as a newcomer in Norway
To use NAV's services, you must first have a Norwegian personal identity number or a D-number. You receive a personal identity number automatically when you register in the National Population Register at Skatteetaten. A D-number is assigned to people who are staying in Norway for a shorter period.
The next step is to create a user account on nav.no. You need BankID, MinID, or another electronic ID to log in. If you do not yet have an electronic ID, you can order MinID via ID-porten. Alternatively, you can visit your local NAV office in person with valid identification.
Book an appointment with NAV (welfare office) in advance via nav.no or by calling 55 55 33 33. Walk-ins are possible, but waiting times can be long. Request an interpreter if you need one — this is free of charge.
Once you are registered, you can sign up as a job seeker directly on nav.no. You fill in a job profile with your education, work experience, and preferences. NAV uses this profile to suggest relevant vacancies and measures. You can also apply for benefits digitally.
Remember to update your profile regularly and respond to messages from NAV before the deadline. Failure to respond can result in benefits being suspended. If you do not understand a letter from NAV, you can call and ask for an explanation. NAV has a duty to guide you. Many NAV offices also offer dedicated information meetings for newly arrived immigrants. It is a good idea to set a reminder in your calendar to check nav.no weekly so that you never miss an important deadline.
Important benefits and support schemes from NAV
NAV administers over 60 different benefits. Here are the most relevant ones for immigrants in Norway. Unemployment benefit (dagpenger) is for people who have lost their job or had their working hours reduced. You must have earned at least 1.5 times the basic amount (approx. NOK 186,000) in the last twelve months, or 3 times the basic amount in the last 36 months.
Sick pay (sykepenger) covers your loss of income if you become ill. You must have been employed for at least four weeks before falling ill. Your employer pays for the first 16 days, after which NAV takes over. You can receive up to 100 per cent of your income for up to one year.
Parental benefit (foreldrepenger) provides you with income when you have a child. Both parents are entitled to parental leave. You must have worked for at least six of the last ten months before the due date. Parental benefit covers up to 6 times the basic amount per year.
Financial social assistance (økonomisk sosialhjelp) is a safety net for those who have no other income. This benefit is means-tested and administered by the municipality via NAV. The amount varies by municipality and family situation. The cash amount for single persons in Oslo was approximately NOK 7,500 per month in 2025 according to NAV's indicative rates.
Other relevant schemes include work assessment allowance (arbeidsavklaringspenger) for those with reduced work capacity due to illness or injury, and the qualification programme (kvalifiseringsprogrammet), which is aimed at people who have been outside the labour market for a long time. Both require an individual assessment from NAV. Always check the current rates and conditions on nav.no before applying.
NAV and the introduction programme for newcomers
The introduction programme is a training programme for newly arrived refugees and their family members. The programme is administered by the municipality, but NAV cooperates closely with the municipality on follow-up and employment-oriented measures.
The programme usually lasts two to three years. It includes Norwegian language training, social studies, education, and work placements. Participants receive an introduction benefit equivalent to 2 times the basic amount per year (approx. NOK 248,000). For participants under 25, the amount is two thirds of this.
Under the Integration Act of 2021, the introduction programme must be adapted to the individual's background and goals. If you have higher education from your home country, the programme may be shorter. If you have little formal education, it may be extended. NAV contributes with career guidance and connections to employers.
Many who complete the introduction programme also take the knowledge of society test. This test is mandatory for a permanent residence permit and citizenship. NAV can advise you on when it makes sense to take the test and what preparation is needed. According to HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education), the number of participants passing the test has increased in recent years, suggesting that the programme provides good preparation.
After the introduction programme is completed, NAV can still help you with job searching and skills development. Many people receive offers of wage subsidies or work placements through NAV. Make sure to maintain close contact with both your programme adviser and your NAV adviser. Good cooperation between you, the municipality, and NAV yields the best results for your career in Norway.