Double citizenship has been allowed in Norway since 1 January 2020, so you can become a Norwegian citizen without giving up your old passport. But it is always your home country that decides whether you get to keep your citizenship there.

What changed on 1 January 2020?

From 1 January 2020, Norway allows double citizenship. This means you can become a Norwegian citizen and at the same time keep your old citizenship. The rule also works the other way: a Norwegian citizen who becomes a citizen of another country does not automatically lose Norwegian citizenship.

Before 2020, most applicants had to give up their original citizenship to become Norwegian. The old rule created problems for many, especially when their home country did not allow them to give up their citizenship. Some who lost Norwegian citizenship under the old rules have also been given the opportunity to apply to get it back.

Your citizenship is linked to other important documents, such as passports and ID cards. Read more about passports and ID cards in Norway if you are unsure which documents you need as a Norwegian citizen.

Can you keep your old citizenship?

Yes, in Norway you can keep your old citizenship when you become Norwegian. Norwegian authorities no longer require you to give it up.

UDI (the Directorate of Immigration) is the authority that processes applications for Norwegian citizenship, and they do not require you to give up another citizenship. You also do not need to apply for permission to keep your old citizenship from UDI. There is no separate form for double citizenship in Norway, and you do not need to notify Norwegian authorities that you wish to keep your old citizenship.

What do the rules in your home country say?

The most important thing to remember is that Norwegian rules only apply in Norway. The country you originally come from decides for itself whether it allows double citizenship.

Some countries require you to give up your original citizenship when you become a citizen of another country. Other countries automatically withdraw citizenship if a citizen becomes a citizen elsewhere. The rules vary greatly from country to country, and we therefore cannot list them here.

  • Check with the embassy or consulate of your home country.
  • Ask whether there are requirements or deadlines for reporting new citizenship.
  • Investigate whether there are exceptions, for example for children or people living abroad.

Do not assume that you automatically keep your old citizenship just because Norway allows double citizenship. Always contact the authorities in your home country to be completely sure.

Two passports — what does it mean in practice?

With double citizenship, you can in principle have two valid passports, one Norwegian and one from the other country. You are entitled to a passport from each country you are a citizen of.

Some countries, however, require their own citizens to travel in and out of the country with their own passport, even if they also have a Norwegian passport. Therefore, check the rules in the other country before you travel there. It is also wise to have both passports valid when you travel, so that you avoid problems at border control.

A Norwegian passport gives you, among other things, the right to travel freely in the Schengen area and to consular assistance from Norwegian authorities abroad. If you have another citizenship as well, you can in principle also get help from the authorities there. However, it can be difficult for Norwegian authorities to help you in the country where you have your other citizenship.

Military service and double citizenship

Norway has military service for Norwegian citizens. This means that as a Norwegian citizen, you can in principle be called up for mandatory military service, regardless of whether you have another citizenship as well.

If the country you come from also has military service, you could in theory be called up there as well. The rules vary greatly from country to country, and some countries have exceptions for citizens who live permanently abroad. Check with the authorities in your home country how they handle military service in case of double citizenship.

Taxation with double citizenship

Double citizenship does not automatically lead to double taxation. As a general rule, your tax liability is determined by where you live and work, not by which passport you have.

Some countries, however, tax their citizens regardless of where in the world they live. If you have citizenship in such a country, you may be subject to taxation there even if you live and pay taxes in Norway. Norway also has tax treaties with many countries, which are designed to prevent you from being double-taxed on the same income. If you are unsure, you should check with the tax authorities in both countries, or contact the Norwegian Tax Administration for guidance.

How to apply for Norwegian citizenship?

If you are to apply for Norwegian citizenship, you must meet several requirements. Among other things, you must have lived in Norway for a certain period, have basic knowledge of Norwegian society, and demonstrate oral skills in Norwegian.

The requirement for Norwegian language level is set by law, and it is wise to check the current requirements before you apply. Read more about Norwegian language level for citizenship to see which level applies to you.

With SamfunnPrep, you can practice the citizenship test digitally, at your own pace, and become more confident with the material before the official test. Many use SamfunnPrep as a regular part of their citizenship preparation.

Upcoming changes in the Nationality Act

The Nationality Act is changed from time to time, and the government has announced tightening from 2026. Read more about the government's tightening of the Nationality Act in 2026 to stay informed about what applies now.

Although the rule on double citizenship from 2020 is fixed, other requirements for becoming a Norwegian citizen may change over time. Keep up with official information from UDI and the government, so you apply with correct information.

Ready to practice? Try SamfunnPrep for free and get through the citizenship test with confidence.