With a granted permanent residence permit, you can live and work in Norway indefinitely. Read the decision and follow the instructions about your residence card. The card's expiry date is not a new expiry date for the permit. Checked 2 October 2026.
First: read the decision that applies to you
Receiving a “yes” message is good news, but the decision letter explains what you have actually been granted and which steps the authorities expect. Look for the date the decision takes effect, your name and identity details, and information about a new residence card. If your name or date of birth is wrong, contact UDI or the police before booking travel using new documents. Save the decision somewhere secure.
UDI distinguishes between an ordinary permanent residence permit and permanent right of residence under the EU/EEA rules. They have different cards and separate rules. This checklist applies to the ordinary permanent residence permit. If your letter concerns permanent right of residence, follow the guidance for that decision. If you are unsure what the wording means, see how to read a UDI decision.
Residence card: do you need a police appointment?
UDI says people with a permanent residence permit receive a residence card valid for two years at a time. The card proves your permit. The police handle ordering the card, photo and fingerprints when required. Follow the instructions in your decision: some people receive the card by post without another appointment, while others must book one. If you have questions about the card or it does not arrive, UDI directs you to the police district where the application was submitted.
Check your name and details when the card arrives. Also check that your postal address is correct and that your name is on the mailbox. Set a reminder to renew the card before it expires. When the card expires after two years, you normally apply for a new card, not permanent residence again. The residence card guide explains the card and how to order it.
| Question after approval | Check this |
|---|---|
| Can you continue to live and work in Norway? | Yes, permanent residence gives you this right indefinitely. |
| Does your permit expire when the card expires? | No, the card has its own two-year period. Order a new card. |
| Can you travel without the card? | Check your passport and valid residence card before travelling abroad. |
| Does your family automatically get permanent residence? | No, each family member has their own residence case. |
| Have you become a Norwegian citizen? | No. Citizenship requires a separate assessment and application. |
Work, registration and other services
With permanent residence, you no longer need a work permit tied to a particular job type or employer. You may work in Norway without the restrictions that applied to an earlier skilled worker permit. Ordinary workplace rules still apply: employment contract, tax, working hours and employee rights. An approval decision is not itself a tax card or a change to NAV benefits. Ask the relevant agency about a specific service.
Check that the National Population Register has your correct home address and personal details. You do not need to “apply for a national identity number again” because you have been granted permanent residence. If you move, report the move to the Tax Administration like other registered residents. If your new passport shows a different name from the Register, resolve the discrepancy before using the documents together. Check that you are using the right process to correct a name or date of birth; it provides a checklist.
Travel: the card is not a passport
For international travel, you usually need both a valid passport or other travel document and a valid residence card. UDI says the card, unless it states otherwise, shows the right to make short visits to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It does not give you the right to settle or work there. For a country outside Schengen, check entry rules for your passport and destination.
If you have only the decision and are waiting for a new card, do not plan as though the decision replaces your travel documents. UDI says it does not issue a travel confirmation that can be used instead of a residence card. The travel checklist for residence permit holders helps you sort out passports, cards and visas.
Can permanent residence be lost?
Yes, including after long stays abroad. UDI says an ordinary permanent residence permit may lapse if you are outside Norway continuously for two years or more, or for a total of two years or more during a four-year period. There are details and exceptions, including short stays and the possibility of applying to keep the permit during a planned long stay abroad. Read UDI's own rule before moving away or taking a long-term job or course outside Norway. Different rules may apply to people with permanent right of residence under the EEA rules.
So, a card that expires after two years does not mean that your right to live in Norway automatically ends. Conversely, a plastic card will not protect you if the permit itself has lapsed after a long stay abroad. This distinction matters if you plan several trips over time.
What about family and citizenship?
Your partner and children do not automatically get permanent residence when you do. Each person needs their own lawful basis and, where relevant, their own application. If a family member's permit depends on you as the reference person, read the decisions together and check the dates and conditions. The guide to permanent residence for the whole family explains why you may not all qualify at the same time.
Permanent residence is not the same as Norwegian citizenship. You keep the citizenship and passport you already had unless you later acquire another citizenship. Norwegian citizenship has separate requirements for residence, language, tests and other matters. SamfunnPrep can help you practise social studies if you still need a relevant test for a future goal, but first check with UDI which test applies to you. Do not register for another test just because you have received permanent residence.
A short checklist for your first week
- Read and save the decision. Check your name, date of birth and the type of right you were granted.
- Follow the instructions about the residence card and police appointment; check your postal address.
- When the card arrives, check the details and set a reminder before it expires.
- Before travelling, check your passport, card and entry rules.
- Review each family member's own permits and future deadlines separately.
If you have a specific question about the decision or card, contact UDI or the police according to their responsibilities. A website summary cannot change the wording of your decision.
