Norway has allowed dual citizenship since 1 January 2020. You can become Norwegian without renouncing your original citizenship. But whether you actually get to keep it is decided by the law in your home country – not by Norway.
Does Norway allow dual citizenship?
Yes. From 1 January 2020 onwards, it is legal to have one or more citizenships in addition to Norwegian citizenship. This is confirmed by UDI (Utlendingsdirektoratet) and the Nationality Act.
The rule works both ways. You can become Norwegian without giving up your original citizenship. And a Norwegian citizen who acquires another citizenship no longer automatically loses Norwegian citizenship.
You do not need to apply for "dual citizenship" as a separate case. It follows from the fact that Norwegian law no longer requires you to renounce the other citizenship.
What changed in 2020?
Before 2020, the "principle of one citizenship" applied. The main rule was that you had to release yourself from your old citizenship to become Norwegian. Many Norwegians also lost their Norwegian passport if they became citizens of another country.
Storting voted to abolish this principle through Prop. 111 L (2017–2018). The change came into force on 1 January 2020. After this, dual – and multiple – citizenship is allowed in Norway.
You do not need to renounce your old citizenship
When you apply for Norwegian citizenship, the usual requirements apply regarding residence, residence permits, language and passed exam. But you no longer need to document that you have released yourself from your old citizenship.
For many Europeans, this in practice means that they keep their EU or EEA passport and at the same time become Norwegian. This makes travel easier, gives you the right to live and work in both countries, and you avoid having to choose between two identities.
If you want to understand the actual requirements for becoming Norwegian, you can read about the requirements for Norwegian citizenship and about how the application and ceremony take place.
But your home country's law decides
This is the most important – and most overlooked – point. That Norway allows dual citizenship does not mean that your home country does.
If the country you are a citizen of does not accept more than one citizenship, you may lose your original citizenship automatically when you become Norwegian. Norway's permission does not override foreign law.
Most EU and EEA countries today allow dual citizenship, but not all. Some countries still require you to renounce the old one:
- Austria generally requires you to release yourself from your old citizenship.
- India, China and Japan do not in principle accept dual citizenship.
- Several other countries have their own conditions or exceptions.
The list above is only examples, and the rules change. Always check with the authorities or the embassy of your home country before you apply for Norwegian citizenship.
What does dual citizenship mean in practice?
Having two citizenships gives rights, but also some duties you should be aware of. Here are the most common consequences:
| Topic | What applies |
|---|---|
| Passport | You can have and use two passports. |
| Right to vote | Norwegian citizenship gives the right to vote in parliamentary elections. |
| Military service | If the other country has military service, you can be called up there – even if you live in Norway. |
| Tax | Tax depends on where you live (tax residence), not citizenship. |
| Consular assistance | Norway cannot always help you in the country where you are also a citizen. |
Military service is a typical pitfall. Norway does not require military service from you if an agreement with the other country prevents it. But the other country can still call you up.
Consular assistance also has a limit. If you travel to the country where you are also a citizen, the authorities there will usually regard you as their own citizen. If you are arrested, you get the same treatment as other citizens of that country, and Norwegian help depends on permission from that country.
Children born with dual citizenship
Children can be born with dual citizenship. An example is a child with one Norwegian and one foreign parent. The child usually retains both.
But there is an important rule in the Nationality Act § 24. If you are born abroad and have never lived in Norway, you may lose your Norwegian citizenship when you turn 22. To keep it, you must apply before you turn 22 and show "sufficient connection" to Norway.
This does not apply if you would become stateless without Norwegian citizenship. If you have children born abroad, you should note this deadline.
Can you get back Norwegian citizenship you lost before 2020?
Yes, many can. If you lost Norwegian citizenship because you became a citizen of another country, you can apply for re-acquisition – often by a simple notification.
The Nationality Act Chapter 4 A on re-acquisition by notification came into force on 1 January 2020. The scheme has no closing date, but sets conditions. The most important are:
- You must have lived in Norway for a total of at least six months before you turned 22.
- You cannot have certain unconditional prison sentences or criminal proceedings against you.
- You must enclose a police certificate.
The fee for notification of re-acquisition is 3,200 kroner (in force from 1 July 2021). If you do not meet the conditions for notification, you can instead apply for re-acquisition. Contact UDI to clarify what applies to your situation.
Dual citizenship and the road to Norwegian passport
Dual citizenship does not change the requirements to become Norwegian – it merely removes the requirement to renounce your old passport. You must still meet the requirements for residence, grounds for stay, Norwegian language skills and passed exam.
One of the most common questions is what language level you need on the way to citizenship. You can read more about this in the article about Norwegian language level for residence and citizenship. If you are unsure of the difference between the exams, we explain it in citizenship exam versus society knowledge exam.
On SamfunnPrep you can practice the same questions you will encounter in the exam, so you are confident when it matters.
What you should remember
- Norway has allowed dual citizenship since 1 January 2020.
- You do not need to renounce your old citizenship to become Norwegian.
- Your home country's law decides whether you actually get to keep it – check the rules there.
- Military service, tax and consular assistance can be affected by you having two citizenships.
- If you lost Norwegian citizenship before 2020, you can often get it back by notifying UDI.
The rules above are based on UDI, the Nationality Act and the government as of 8 July 2026. Rules in other countries may change, so always confirm with your home country's authorities.
Ready to practice? Try SamfunnPrep for free and prepare confidently for the citizenship exam.
This article is information, not legal advice.
