Norwegian-language requirement for a permanent residence permit

From 1. september 2025 you must pass the oral Norwegian test at level A2 and the social-studies test to get a permanent residence permit. See which tests count, who the requirement applies to, and who is exempt.

Hlib SuslovPublished:July 17, 2026Last updated:July 18, 20265 min read

Important. This article gives general information, not individual advice. Always check your specific case with the responsible authority before acting.

See the official source: udi.no

To get a permanent residence permit you must pass two tests: a test in oral Norwegian at at least level A2, and the social-studies test (samfunnskunnskapsprøven). This has been the rule since 1. September 2025. From the same date the level in oral Norwegian was raised from A1 to A2, and it is no longer a requirement that you have completed training in Norwegian and social studies – it is enough that you pass the tests. The requirement applies to you if you are between 18 and 67 years. If you are under 18 or over 67, or you meet other conditions for an exemption, you may be spared one or both tests. This is a rule in force, not a proposal.

This article is only about the language and social-studies requirement. You can read about the other conditions for a permanent residence permit, such as period of residence and income requirements, in the overview of requirements for a permanent residence permit.

Which tests must you pass?

You must pass a test in oral Norwegian at at least level A2 and the social-studies test. It is the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingsdirektoratet, UDI), which processes applications for residence permits, that sets these requirements when you apply for a permanent residence permit.

The first test measures how well you speak and understand spoken Norwegian. You must have the result A2 or higher. A2 means that you can manage simple conversations about familiar topics, such as family, work and everyday life. The second test, the social-studies test, checks that you know how Norwegian society works – for example laws, rights, health and working life.

The requirement is regulated in the Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften) § 11-9 (oral Norwegian) and § 11-10 (social studies), with legal basis in the Immigration Act (utlendingsloven) § 62. You do not need to know the sections, but they show that this is a statutory condition and not up to the individual case officer.

What changed from 1. September 2025?

Two things changed from 1. September 2025. The level requirement in oral Norwegian was raised from A1 to A2, and the requirement to have completed training was removed.

Previously it was enough to have passed oral Norwegian at level A1, which is a lower level than A2. If you applied early enough – with an appointment booked with the police (politiet) before 1. September 2025 – you could still meet the old A1 requirement. But for applications from 1. September 2025 onwards, A2 applies. Do not rely on older guides that still mention A1 as the applicable requirement.

Before this date you also had to have completed a certain number of hours of mandatory training in Norwegian and social studies to get a permanent residence permit. That requirement is now gone. It is the result – that you pass the tests – that counts. Note, however, that you may have a separate obligation or right to training under the Integration Act (integreringsloven) while you live in Norway. That obligation does not disappear, but it is no longer a condition for a permanent residence permit.

Who does the requirement apply to?

The test requirements apply to you if you are between 18 and 67 years. If you are under 18 or over 67 years, you are exempt from the requirement for both the oral Norwegian test and the social-studies test.

The age limits are measured at slightly different times. The lower limit of 18 years is counted from when you apply, while the upper limit of 67 years is assessed when UDI makes a decision in your case. If you are in doubt about which age group you fall into, you can ask the police (politiet) or UDI before you apply.

When can you get an exemption?

You can get an exemption from one or both tests if you document that you already have sufficient knowledge, or that health-related or personal circumstances prevent you. An exemption does not happen automatically – you must submit documentation yourself.

Among other things, you can be spared the oral Norwegian test requirement if you:

have a grade of 2 or better in Norwegian from Norwegian primary school or upper secondary school,
have completed and passed Norwegian-language studies at university or university-college level equivalent to at least 30 study credits,
have a decision from the municipality exempting you from the obligation to attend Norwegian training, or
have health-related or personal circumstances beyond your control that prevent you from passing the test, for example chronic illness, reading and writing difficulties or very little schooling.

You can be spared the social-studies test requirement if you:

have a grade of 2 or better in social studies from Norwegian upper secondary school,
have completed and passed studies in social studies about Norway at university or university-college level equivalent to at least 10 study credits, or
have a decision from the municipality granting an exemption.

From 1. September 2025 the police (politiet) and UDI can themselves assess whether you should be exempted from the oral Norwegian test. If you have documentation of knowledge from another country, a prior-learning assessment can in some cases show what you actually know. If you are unsure whether something counts as a valid exemption, you should ask UDI before you apply, instead of counting on an exemption on your own.

You can take the social-studies test for a permanent residence permit in a language you understand – not only in Norwegian. The test is administered by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (Direktoratet for høyere utdanning og kompetanse, HK-dir), which is responsible for the public tests in Norwegian and social studies.

You can take the test in 23 different languages, and in 10 of the languages you also get audio support, meaning that the text is read aloud. If the test does not exist in a language you understand well, you can ask to take it orally or with an interpreter. The test lasts up to 60 minutes, and you must have at least 26 correct answers out of the questions that count in order to pass.

The fact that you can take the social-studies test in a language you understand is an important difference from citizenship. If you later apply for Norwegian citizenship, the social-studies test must as a rule be taken in Norwegian, and there the other requirements are also stricter. You can read more in the overview of requirements for Norwegian citizenship and the guide on becoming a Norwegian citizen.

If you want to prepare for the social-studies test, you can practise social studies with SamfunnPrep. There you will find 700+ practice questions that resemble the topics in the test. The practice questions are made for training and are neither official nor real test questions – they cannot guarantee that you will pass, but they can help you feel more confident with the format.

How to document that the requirement is met

You document the requirement by attaching the results from the tests, or documentation for an exemption, to the application for a permanent residence permit. In many cases UDI retrieves your test results automatically, but you should still have the confirmations available.

If you have not passed yet, you can register for the tests again. Both the Norwegian test and the social-studies test are held several times a year. Wait to submit the application until you have either passed the tests or have documentation that you meet an exemption, so that UDI does not reject your case due to an unmet language requirement.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What level of Norwegian is required for a permanent residence permit?

You must have passed a test in oral Norwegian at at least level A2. The level was raised from A1 to A2 from 1. september 2025.

Do I still have to have completed Norwegian training?

No. From 1. september 2025 it is no longer a requirement that you have completed training in Norwegian and social studies. It is enough that you pass the oral Norwegian test at A2 and the social-studies test.

Do I have to take the social-studies test in Norwegian?

No. For a permanent residence permit you can take the social-studies test in a language you understand. It is available in 23 languages, and you can ask for an oral test or an interpreter. When applying for citizenship the test must as a rule be taken in Norwegian.

Who is exempt from the test requirement?

If you are under 18 or over 67 år, you are exempt. You can also get an exemption if you document sufficient knowledge, for example a grade of 2 or better in Norwegian or social studies, or if health-related or personal circumstances prevent you.

How many correct answers do I need on the social-studies test?

You must have at least 26 correct answers out of the questions that count. The test lasts up to 60 minutter and is administered by HK-dir.

What happens if I do not pass the test?

You can register again. The tests are held several times a year. Wait to apply for a permanent residence permit until you have passed or have documentation for an exemption.