Norwegian citizenship requires more than a long period of residence. You must also establish your identity, live permanently in Norway, have a valid residence permit, and meet the language, knowledge and conduct requirements. For many adults, the main rule is eight years of residence during the last eleven years. However, the rules vary according to age, citizenship, family and basis for residence.
This overview was checked against UDI information as of 12 September 2026. Always use UDI's personal guide before you pay and submit your application. A political proposal or a news report is not a current rule until the change has actually been adopted and entered into force.
Short answer: What are the requirements for Norwegian citizenship?
For an adult who has a residence permit in Norway, this is the practical main list:
- You must pay the application fee that applies when you submit your application.
- Your identity must be established. As a main rule, UDI requires a passport.
- You must live permanently in Norway when you apply and when the case is decided, and you must plan to continue living here.
- You must have a valid residence permit while the application is being processed. A citizenship application does not extend your residence permit.
- You must have a permanent residence permit, or meet the requirements for permanent residence when UDI decides the case.
- You must meet the residence-period requirement for your group.
- If you are between 18 and 67 years old, you must normally have passed an oral Norwegian test at level B1 and an approved knowledge test.
- If you have turned 15, you must submit a police certificate. A criminal penalty, fine or ongoing investigation may result in an additional waiting period.
This is a general overview, not a decision in your case. Nordic citizens, EU/EEA citizens, stateless persons, children, people with protection and family members may have different rules.
Residence period: usually eight of the last eleven years
The main rule for many adults is eight years in Norway during the last eleven years. UDI states that the residence must be covered by permits valid for at least one year. It is therefore wrong to assume that all time since your first entry automatically counts.
Some groups have a shorter residence period:
| Situation | Typical rule |
|---|---|
| Main rule | 8 of the last 11 years |
| Sufficient income | 6 of the last 10 years |
| Protection/asylum | 7 of the last 10 years |
| Norwegian spouse or cohabiting partner | Separate calculation of residence and time together |
| Nordic citizen | Separate rules; notification may be possible |
For a shorter residence period based on income, UDI uses income included in the latest available tax assessment. The threshold is three times the average National Insurance basic amount for the relevant calendar year. You should therefore not multiply today's G amount by three and assume the result is correct. UDI normally obtains the information from the Norwegian Tax Administration.
Time abroad can reduce the period that counts. For many applicants, the entire stay abroad is deducted if the total absence exceeds two months in a calendar year. Use UDI's calculation for your group and make a list of your trips before applying.
Do you need permanent residence first?
You do not always need to have received a permanent residence permit before you apply. However, you must either have it or meet its requirements when UDI decides the citizenship case. If you do not meet the requirements at that time, the application may be rejected.
If you only have a temporary permit, you must renew it in time while you wait. Read the guide to permanent residence permits before deciding on the order. Following the rule changes from 1 September 2025, the time at which the requirements must be met is especially important.
Norwegian-language test and knowledge test
Applicants between 18 and 67 years old must normally document:
- a passed oral Norwegian test at level B1 or higher
- a passed citizenship test, or the social studies test in Norwegian
A social studies test taken in another language can be used for a permanent residence application, but not as the knowledge test for citizenship. In that case, you must take the test in Norwegian or pass the citizenship test. See the format of the social studies test.
There are exceptions. For some people, oral Norwegian at A2 is sufficient, including certain stateless applicants and certain applicants over 55 with a protection background or disability benefit. UDI may also grant an exemption when documented health conditions or personal circumstances make it impossible to pass. Do not choose an exemption yourself: find the correct category at UDI and attach the documentation they request.
SamfunnPrep can help you study the subject material, but it does not decide which tests you must take. UDI decides that based on your situation.
Identity, police certificate and criminal penalties
Your identity must be established. As a main rule, UDI requires a valid passport, but the document requirements may vary by country and case. If your documents are incomplete, read the guide to establishing your identity and UDI's checklist before your appointment.
If you have turned 15, the police certificate must normally be no more than three months old when you attend the police appointment. You should therefore order it only when you know the appointment date.
You do not need to have a completely spotless history forever. However, convictions, penalty notices, police fines or an investigation may mean that you have to wait longer. UDI calculates a waiting period according to the type of reaction. Do not guess the final date; use UDI's information or ask for guidance.
How to apply step by step
- Find the correct applicant group at UDI. The requirements for a Nordic citizen are not the same as those for a person with a residence permit from outside the EU/EEA.
- Check the dates. Calculate the residence period, time abroad and validity of your current permit.
- Complete the tests. Make sure that your results meet the requirement for your particular case.
- Collect the documents. Follow the personal checklist in the application portal.
- Register the application and pay. Then book an appointment with the police if UDI requires attendance.
- Order the police certificate close to the appointment date. It cannot be more than three months old when submitted.
- Keep your residence permit valid. Renew it even while the citizenship application is being processed.
- Follow the case digitally. Processing times vary, and UDI publishes current waiting times.
Since 1 January 2020, Norway has allowed one or more other citizenships in addition to Norwegian citizenship. You must still check whether the country whose citizenship you already hold allows you to keep it.
Checklist before you pay
Stop and check one more time: the correct applicant group, sufficient residence, a valid permit, the permanent-residence requirements, approved tests, a passport and the correct police certificate. This reduces the risk of paying too early or submitting an incomplete application.
Would you like to prepare for the knowledge part? You can start a free session with SamfunnPrep and practise the topics you need systematically.
