A permanent residence permit gives you the right to live and work in Norway indefinitely. To obtain one you must meet several requirements: a minimum residence period, proof of financial self-sufficiency, a Norwegian language test, and a passed social studies test. The rules were updated from 1 September 2025, introducing a new Norwegian language test requirement at level A2 and changes to the training requirements. Many applicants are uncertain about what is actually required, and it is easy to be confused by outdated information. This guide gives you a complete and up-to-date overview of all the requirements for a permanent residence permit in Norway. You will find information on residence period, income, tests, exemptions, and the application process itself. Everything is based on the current rules from UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration).
Residence period requirements for a permanent residence permit
The first requirement for a permanent residence permit is that you have lived in Norway long enough with a valid permit. Most applicants need at least three years of continuous residence permit. Some groups, such as those with a permit based on unskilled work, must have lived in Norway for five years.
The residence period must be continuous. This means you cannot have been outside Norway for too long during the period. With a three-year requirement, you may have been outside the country for a maximum of seven months in total. With a five-year requirement the limit is ten months. Short holiday trips are generally not a problem. However, longer stays abroad — for example half a year in your home country — may mean you have to restart the residence period.
Your residence permit must also form a valid basis for a permanent residence permit. Not all types of permit qualify. A student permit and an au pair permit, for example, do not count. Permits that do qualify include a skilled worker permit, family reunification, and protection following an asylum application. You will find an overview of approved permit types at udi.no.
UDI recommends submitting your application three months before you fulfil the residence period requirement, or three months before your current permit expires. If you apply too early, the police may transfer the case to UDI, where waiting times are longer. If you hold a skilled worker permit, in some cases you may have been outside Norway for up to fifteen months if the stay was due to an assignment from your employer. Count exactly how long you have lived in Norway, including all trips abroad, before booking an appointment at the police station.
Income requirements and financial self-sufficiency
To obtain a permanent residence permit you must document that you can support yourself financially. The requirement applies to all applicants between 18 and 67 years of age. You must have had a total income of at least 325,400 kroner before tax during the last twelve months before you submit your application at the police station.
The income must be your own. You cannot count your spouse's salary, gifts from family, or money held in a savings account. Approved sources of income include wages from an employer, income from self-employment, unemployment benefits, sick pay, pension, and regular periodic payments such as rental income. You can combine multiple income sources to reach the threshold.
There are important exemptions from the self-sufficiency requirement. Full-time students in higher education may be fully exempt from the income requirement. The same applies if you hold an independent residence permit following abuse by a spouse or cohabitant. If you have been at least 50 per cent on sick leave for twelve months or more, you may also be granted an exemption. From April 2024, the requirement not to have received social assistance has been lifted. This means you can now have received financial support without this disqualifying you.
If you do not yet meet the income requirement, you should wait before applying. In the meantime, you can renew your temporary permit. When you are ready, you will need documentation from the last twelve months. Also read our guide on preparing for the test to progress with the other requirements. Collect tax returns and payslips well in advance, and calculate your total before submitting the application.
Passed Norwegian language test and social studies requirements
From 1 September 2025, new rules apply to the test requirements for a permanent residence permit. You must have passed the oral Norwegian language test at a minimum level of A2. Previously the requirement was level A1 for many applicants, so the threshold is now higher. You must also have passed Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test) in a language you understand well.
A significant change from September 2025 is that the requirement to have completed a course has been removed. Now only a passed test counts. You can prepare independently and register without having followed a course. For many who already speak Norwegian, this is a simplification.
From September 2025, only a passed test is required — not completed training. Check udi.no to see exactly which rules apply to your application date, as the date you submit at the police station determines which requirements apply to you.
Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test) can be taken in more than 20 different languages. The test covers Norwegian democracy, laws, rights, working life, and welfare arrangements. You can practise for free at prove.hkdir.no. Exemptions from the test requirements exist. If you have a grade of 2 or higher in Norwegian from primary or secondary school, you are exempt from the language test. Documented medical reasons may also grant an exemption.
The Norwegian language test is held several times a year in most municipalities. Register via the municipality you live in, and do so well in advance — places can fill up quickly. Samfunnskunnskapsprøven also has several sittings throughout the year. Start preparing at least three months before you plan to apply, and pass both tests before booking your appointment at the police station.
How to submit your application to the police
The application process for a permanent residence permit begins with booking an appointment at your local police district. You submit the application in person at the police station. Most applications for a permanent residence permit are processed directly by the police, which results in shorter waiting times than if the case is forwarded to UDI.
You will need several documents when you arrive. Bring a valid passport and your current residence card. Bring documentation of income — preferably a tax return and payslips for the last twelve months. You need proof of having passed the Norwegian language test at level A2 and having passed Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test). If you are entitled to an exemption from any of the requirements, you must have documentation of this. UDI has a complete checklist on their website which you should go through point by point.
The processing fee is paid when you submit the application. All requirements other than the income requirement must be met at the time of the decision, not just when you submit the application. This means that if you pass the language test after submission but before the decision, it counts. For the income requirement, UDI looks at the last twelve months from the time of application, or from the time of the decision if that is more favourable for you.
Processing times vary. At the police station, waiting times are often shorter than at UDI, which can take up to twelve months. Check updated waiting times at udi.no. If the application is rejected, you can appeal in writing within the deadline stated in the decision. The appeal is first handled by UDI and then by UNE (the Immigration Appeals Board). Also read about Norwegian citizenship as the next step after permanent residence. Book your appointment well in advance — the waiting time for an available slot at the police station can be several weeks.
What a permanent residence permit means for your future
A permanent residence permit gives you the right to reside and work in Norway without a time limit. You no longer need to renew your permit every year or every other year. You also gain stronger legal protection against expulsion, which provides additional security for you and your family. The permit was previously called bosettingstillatelse (settlement permit).
Although the permit is permanent, you receive a residence card that must be renewed every two years. The card is your proof to employers, banks, and public authorities that you hold a permanent residence permit. Remember to renew the card well before it expires. If you forget, you may have problems documenting your status in everyday situations.
A permanent residence permit is also an important step towards Norwegian citizenship. Many of the requirements overlap: residence period, language test, and social studies. Having obtained a permanent residence permit, you have already done much of the work required for citizenship. The main difference is that citizenship requires a longer residence period and grants you the right to vote in Stortinget (parliamentary) elections, as well as the right to a Norwegian passport.
You can lose your permanent residence permit if you spend more than two consecutive years outside Norway. Serious criminal offences can also lead to loss through expulsion. For the vast majority of people who live and work in Norway on a daily basis, this is not relevant. The permit provides stability and predictability in everyday life, and opens doors for both home ownership and career development. Use your permanent residence permit as a foundation for planning your future in Norway — whether you want citizenship, wish to buy a home, or want to build a career.