People with disabilities' rights in Norway are well protected by law. You have protection against discrimination, the right to assistive devices from NAV, municipal services and financial support. You can file a free complaint if anyone violates your rights.
Do you have a disability, or are you a relative? Then it's important to know what rights you have. In Norway, these rights are part of human rights in Norway, and they are written down in laws. This article from SamfunnPrep explains the most important rights in simple words.
What rights do people with disabilities have in Norway?
People with disabilities' rights in Norway are based on one main principle: you should have the same opportunity to participate in society as everyone else. The term disability means that physical, mental or cognitive functioning is impaired.
Norway became a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2013. From January 1, 2026, the convention has also become Norwegian law, and it takes precedence if it conflicts with other Norwegian rules.
Your rights are not about charity. They are about equality. The goal is that you should be able to live, work, learn and participate on equal terms with others.
The CRPD did not give Norwegians new rights. It establishes that you should have equal access to the human rights that already apply to everyone. It's an important distinction to understand.
Protection against discrimination
It is forbidden to discriminate against you because of a disability. This is stated in the Equality and Anti-discrimination Act of 2017.
The law protects you in many areas of life:
- At work, in hiring and pay
- In school and education
- When you buy goods and services
- In dealing with the public sector
The protection also applies to you if you are a relative. If you are treated poorly because you have a child or partner with a disability, that is also illegal discrimination.
An example: an employer cannot refuse to hire you simply because you use a wheelchair, if you are otherwise qualified. That is illegal discrimination.
Employers and schools also have a duty of accommodation. This means they must make reasonable adjustments, for example adapt a workplace or an exam, so you can participate on equal terms. Students in primary school also have the right to a well-adapted educational offer.
Universal design – a legal requirement
Universal design means that buildings, outdoor areas and digital solutions should be usable by as many people as possible, regardless of ability. This is not just a wish. It is a legal requirement.
Public and private businesses that are open to the public must ensure universal design. This applies, for example, to shops, public offices and transport.
The requirement also applies to ICT, that is, websites and digital services. Web solutions open to the public must follow standards that make them easy to use for everyone. If a website or building violates these requirements, you can report it.
Right to assistive devices through NAV
If you have a permanent disability, you have the right to assistive devices. You borrow these through NAV Assistive Device Centre (NAV = Labour and Welfare Administration).
To get assistive devices, the disability must be significant and last more than two years. The loan is usually free. You can, among other things, get:
- Assistive devices for sight and hearing
- Wheelchair and other assistive devices for movement
- Assistive devices for reading and writing difficulties
- Home adaptations
If you need an assistive device for only a short period, you contact your municipality instead. If you want to understand how NAV works, read our guide on NAV for immigrants.
Municipal services: user-controlled personal assistance, support contact and respite care
The municipality has responsibility for many services in everyday life. You apply for them where you live.
User-controlled personal assistance (BPA) is one of the most important. With BPA, you control your own help and decide who should help you, when and how. If you are under 67 years old and have a long-term and significant need for personal assistance, you have the right to have the service organised as BPA.
Other municipal services include:
- Support contact – help to participate in leisure activities
- Respite care – rest for parents and others who have heavy care responsibilities
- Care allowance – payment to you for providing care to a close relative
Financial support you can apply for
There are several benefits from NAV that provide financial security. Here are the three most important:
| Benefit | For what |
|---|---|
| Disability pension | Replaces income when work ability is permanently reduced by at least half |
| Base allowance | Covers fixed extra expenses due to disability |
| Care allowance | Covers the need for special supervision and care |
Disability pension is relevant if you can no longer work full-time because of illness or injury. Base allowance has several rates depending on how large your extra expenses are. Care allowance has its own rates depending on how much supervision and care you need. If you want to know more about conditions and rates, read our article on disability pension in Norway.
How do you file a complaint about discrimination?
If you are discriminated against, you can file a complaint – and it's free. You don't need a lawyer.
Here's how you proceed:
- The Equality and Anti-discrimination Ombud (LDO) provides you with free advice and guidance. You can call or write to them.
- The Anti-discrimination Board handles your actual complaint. The board can establish that you have been discriminated against, and in some cases award you compensation.
If the case concerns health and care services, you can also contact the County Governor or the Patient and User Ombud. The rules are also enforced by Bufdir (The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs), which advises on the rights of people with disabilities.
Knowledge of rights is part of the curriculum for the citizenship test. If you want to understand how equality works in practice, also see equality in Norway. With SamfunnPrep you practice precisely these topics.
Ready to practise? Try SamfunnPrep free.
