Engangsstønad is a tax-free lump-sum grant from Nav at birth or adoption if you meet the conditions. First check whether parental benefit suits you better. Once Nav has granted either benefit, you normally cannot change your choice.
What do you receive with engangsstønad?
You receive one payment per child, rather than monthly income throughout your leave. Nav, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, processes the application and decides whether you qualify.
As of 3 October 2026, the amount is NOK 92,648 per child. This rate applies to births and adoptions from 1 January 2023. Nav does not deduct tax, and the grant does not earn holiday pay. See Nav's rules on engangsstønad.
The money helps cover the costs of having a child. Plan for both purchases and expenses in the months after birth. The grant is not wages from your employer. Entitlement to leave and entitlement to money are also separate questions.
If you have recently had a child, use the checklist for a newborn child in Norway. Registration, child health services and applications follow different processes. A birth notification does not mean your application for engangsstønad has been submitted.
Should you choose parental benefit instead?
Check your entitlement to parental benefit before choosing engangsstønad. You may choose the grant even if you qualify for parental benefit, but the choice has consequences.
You may have earned entitlement to parental benefit through employment or certain Nav benefits. Having no job right now therefore does not automatically mean engangsstønad is your only option. Nav has a guide that helps you compare the schemes.
| Question | Engangsstønad | Parental benefit |
|---|---|---|
| How is the money paid? | One lump sum per child | Payments over a period |
| Does Nav deduct tax? | No | Yes |
| Does the benefit earn entitlement to other benefits? | No | Yes, under the applicable rules |
After a decision granting a benefit, you normally cannot switch schemes. Do not apply simply to “secure” an amount before checking the alternative. If an application is being processed, contact Nav before submitting another one.
The other parent may still have their own entitlement to parental benefit. However, engangsstønad for the mother does not give the father or co-mother a paternal or co-mother quota. Nav also explains activity requirements for the mother when only the other parent qualifies. Check this together, especially if the mother studies or does not work.
Who can apply if you are new to Norway?
Usually the mother applies, and membership of folketrygden is a key condition. Folketrygden is Norway's National Insurance Scheme.
As of 3 October 2026, the main rule requires at least 12 months of continuous membership immediately before the due date or adoption date. You must also be a member at the relevant time. Nav determines membership in your case.
Norwegian citizenship is not the membership condition itself. A national identity number alone does not prove you meet the requirement either. If you have moved between countries or spent long periods abroad, ask Nav which periods count. Nav's explanation of membership describes how residence, work and insurance relate.
Make a simple timeline showing dates of arrival, residence, employment and stays abroad. Provide information Nav requests rather than guessing a starting date. Processing may take longer if membership needs clarification.
The father, co-mother or another caregiver can apply in specific circumstances. Examples include adopting alone or taking over care after a death. Do not use the mother's usual application rules as the answer to these cases; select the correct situation on Nav's page.
When do you apply, and which documents are needed?
The mother can apply from pregnancy week 22. The application needs confirmation of the due date from a midwife or doctor, dated in week 22 or later.
As of 3 October 2026, the normal application deadline is six months after birth or adoption. If you apply later, you generally lose entitlement. Do not wait for every other registration without clarifying the deadline with Nav.
Prepare the following before submitting:
- Confirmation of the due date with the correct date, when applying before the birth.
- Information about membership and stays abroad that Nav requests.
- A birth certificate if the child was born abroad and is not registered in Folkeregisteret.
- Confirmation of the date you took over care following adoption, and the adoption licence if you have received it.
Folkeregisteret is the population register run by Skatteetaten, the Norwegian Tax Administration, covering people and family relationships. For adoption, you can apply only once you have the date of taking over care. A father or co-mother must have the relevant date for parental responsibility or taking over care.
How to submit the application
You can apply digitally at nav.no or submit a paper application. Lacking digital login therefore does not make applying impossible.
- Open Nav's page on engangsstønad and select the application for your situation.
- Read the questions about the child, membership and stays in other countries.
- Upload or enclose the documents Nav requests.
- Check dates and information before submitting.
- Save the receipt and a copy of the application.
After submitting, you can follow your case in Dine Foreldrepenger. Nav uses this service for engangsstønad too. You can submit additional documents there. With a paper application, it may take some time before the case appears digitally.
Example: Lina has due-date confirmation from week 20. She asks her midwife for new confirmation after week 22 before applying. She also checks membership because she recently moved to Norway. The confirmation alone does not determine entitlement.
What should you do after the decision?
Read the decision and check that the information is correct. Nav provides a written answer when the application has been processed and the necessary documents have been supplied.
If the grant is approved, check the payment overview. Do not budget around a specific payment date before you know when the case is decided. Missing documents can delay processing.
If the application is refused, the decision gives the reason and appeal deadline. An appeal should explain which point you believe is wrong. Enclose supporting documents, such as information about your membership period. Follow the appeal process described in the decision.
What if the child was born abroad?
A birth abroad requires you to check both membership and documentation. Authorities in the country of birth do not automatically process your Norwegian application.
Notify Nav of a move or a longer stay abroad before the due date or taking over care. This also applies if engangsstønad has already been paid. Nav says ordinary holiday stays do not need to be reported in the same way.
Use SamfunnPrep's tools for everyday life in Norway when organising other tasks before the birth. For engangsstønad itself, the next step is to clarify your choice, membership and application date with Nav.
