You can learn Norwegian for free in Norway, but the rules differ: refugees and their families often have the right to free courses, while many EEA workers must pay for Norwegian lessons themselves.
Who has the right and duty to free Norwegian lessons?
The right to free Norwegian lessons in Norway follows from the Integration Act (integreringsloven). The law distinguishes between the right, the duty, and both. If you have the right to lessons, the course is free. If you only have the duty, you usually have to pay for the course yourself, but you still have to complete it. It is mainly refugees and their family members who have the right to free Norwegian and social studies lessons, normally for up to three years. Family members of refugees have both the right and the duty, regardless of how long the main applicant has lived in Norway. Other family immigrants, for example those married to a Norwegian or Nordic citizen, often only have the duty to take lessons, not the right to have them free. The municipality must offer lessons no later than three months after you register or are required to take part. Your age and type of residence permit determine whether you fall into the group with both right and duty, only duty, or neither, so it is wise to clarify your own situation early. Norwegian lessons are often part of the introduction programme for newly arrived refugees, and form the basis for later requirements to document your Norwegian skills when applying for permanent residence or citizenship.
Who has to pay for Norwegian courses themselves?
Many immigrants have neither the right nor the duty to take Norwegian lessons under the Integration Act. This applies especially to EEA citizens who come to Norway to work. This group is one of the largest immigrant groups in the country, but falls outside the law because they can, in principle, support themselves. This means that as an EEA worker you usually have to find, apply for, and pay for a Norwegian course yourself. The same often applies to other labour immigrants from outside the EEA, skilled workers on a work permit, and people with certain other residence permits. Family members of someone who does not themselves have the right to free lessons can also end up in this group. If you have recently registered as an EEA citizen, it may be a good idea to read about the registration certificate while you plan your Norwegian lessons. Even though you have to pay yourself, there are fortunately many affordable and free alternatives, which you can read about further down in this article.
Norwegian courses in your municipality: adult education
Most municipalities have their own adult education centre that offers Norwegian courses. You can apply for a course there whether or not you have the right to free lessons. The price varies a lot between municipalities and depends, among other things, on whether the course is online or in a classroom, and how many hours a week it is. Many adult education centres also offer combined courses in Norwegian and social studies, preparation for the norskprøven, and courses adapted to work or vocational subjects. The courses are usually divided into levels from beginner to advanced, so you can start where you are and build up gradually. Contact the adult education centre in the municipality where you live to find out if you have the right to a free place, and to get an overview of prices, group size, and start dates. Be aware that waiting lists occur, so it pays to apply well in advance. Some places also have courses aimed at jobseekers; read more about what NAV offers for immigrants.
Free resources for learning Norwegian online
Even if you have to pay for an ordinary course, there are many free resources you can use in addition. HK-dir, the directorate responsible for Norwegian lessons, keeps an overview of free online resources for different levels, from beginner (A1) to advanced (B2). Migranorsk is a well-known digital learning tool made for adult immigrants. NRK offers «Ny i Norge», a website with news and information in several languages for newcomers. Online newspapers and news broadcasts that write and speak with simpler words and short sentences are also good for practising listening and reading. The library often offers free access to digital books and audiobooks in easy Norwegian, in addition to physical loans. Popular apps such as Duolingo can help you with vocabulary and basic grammar, but they rarely replace a full course if your goal is to pass the norskprøven at a certain level. Feel free to combine several resources: listen to simple news and podcasts, read short texts every day, and practise pronunciation out loud by yourself.
Language cafés, libraries, and volunteer work
Practising speaking is often the hardest part, and also one of the most important. Many libraries organise language cafés, where you can meet others and speak Norwegian in a relaxed setting, completely free and without registration. Voluntary organisations, such as the Red Cross, also offer Norwegian practice, conversation groups, and refugee guides in many places around the country. The library is also a good place to borrow easy-to-read books, newspapers, and learning materials for free, and many libraries have their own sections with easy-to-read literature for adults. Volunteer work, for example in a sports club, a choir, or a neighbourhood association, is another good way to practise Norwegian in a natural setting, while also building a network and gaining work experience from Norway. Ask at the library, the volunteer centre, or the adult education centre in your municipality about what is available where you live.
How to reach A2 or B1 for the test
Many jobs, citizenship, and permanent residence permits require you to have passed the norskprøven or the samfunnskunnskapsprøven at a certain level, often A2 or B1. The best approach is to combine a structured course, preferably through adult education, with daily practice on your own: listen to, read, and speak Norwegian as much as you can in everyday life. Set concrete goals, for example learning a certain number of new words per week, and test yourself regularly. As the test date approaches, it can be useful to practise the format of the test itself, ideally together with others taking the same test, so you can test each other orally. You can read more about how the samfunnskunnskapsprøven is structured, which topics it covers, and how to sign up, so you know exactly what to expect.
Do you want to practise social studies while also strengthening your Norwegian? Register for free with SamfunnPrep and get access to practice exercises that prepare you for the test.
