Which Norwegian level you need depends on your goal. For permanent residence you must have passed oral Norwegian test at minimum A2. For Norwegian citizenship the requirement is B1 oral. Rules have been tightened several times, and apply to most between 18 and 67. This guide shows all language requirements, legal basis, exam structure, exemptions, costs and how to prepare — updated for 2026.
Legal basis
Language requirements grounded in three key laws:
- Citizenship Act § 8 (Act 10 June 2005 no. 51) — language requirement for citizenship
- Immigration Act § 62 — language and civics for permanent residence
- Integration Act (2020) — right and duty to Norwegian training
Government adjustments:
- 1 January 2017: permanent residence introduced at A1
- 1 October 2022: citizenship raised from A2 to B1
- 1 September 2025: permanent residence raised from A1 to A2
All requirements per July 2026 based on UDI.
Norwegian level overview 2026
Measured by CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) used throughout EU/EEA. Scale from A1 (beginner) via A2, B1, B2 to C1/C2 (near native).
Documented with Norskprøven administered by HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education and Skills). See Norwegian test 2026.
Requirements summary
| Goal | Oral level | Civics |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence | A2 | Pass test (own language) |
| Norwegian citizenship | B1 | Pass test in Norwegian |
See also family immigration.
CEFR scale explained
A1 — beginner
- Understands and uses very basic words
- Can introduce self
- Requires slow, patient interlocutor
- Time: 60–100 hours training
A2 — basic (permanent residence)
- Understands sentences about daily life
- Can talk about work, family, shopping
- Simple information exchange
- Time: 150–300 hours
B1 — independent user (citizenship)
- Understands main points on familiar topics
- Manages travel situations
- Tells about experiences, opinions, plans
- Can write simple coherent text
- Time: 350–500 hours
B2 — upper intermediate
- Understands complex texts
- Speaks fluently with natives
- Writes about various topics
- Required for higher education in Norway, many professional positions
C1/C2 — proficient
- Near native
- Rare in official requirements
Permanent residence: A2 oral
Main rule
From 1 September 2025 you must have passed oral Norwegian at minimum A2 plus civics test.
Details
- Oral Norwegian test — minimum A2
- Civics test
- 38 questions, 60 minutes
- Pass: 17 of 38 (2026)
- Can be taken in language you understand well — Norwegian, English, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Somali, Tigrinya, Farsi, Urdu, Dari, Thai, Turkish etc. (26 languages)
Change from September 2025
Before Sept 2025 you had to document completed training. Now only exam results count. See permanent residence requirements.
Citizenship: B1 oral
Main rule
From 1 October 2022: passed oral Norwegian at minimum B1 plus citizenship test or civics in Norwegian.
Important difference from permanent residence
Civics must be taken in Norwegian for citizenship (permanent allows other languages).
Citizenship test
Multiple-choice with 36 questions in 60 minutes:
- Rule of law and democracy
- Constitution and separation of powers
- History and geography
- Culture, values, diversity
- Family
- Work life
Pass: 24 of 36 (2026).
Residence requirement for citizenship
- 8 years as main rule
- 7 years if family-reunited with Norwegian citizen
- 5 years for Nordic citizens
- 3 years for married/cohabitant with Norwegian citizen
Who applies?
Main rule: 18–67
Applies to 18–67. Outside this normally exempt.
Groups included
- Adult refugees (§§ 28, 34, 38)
- Family-reunited
- Third-country work immigrants
- EEA nationals applying under Norwegian rules (5-year rule)
Special rules groups
- EEA using EEA residence right — no language requirement for permanent residence
- Nordic citizens — usually no requirement
- Children born in Norway to foreign parents
Exemptions
1. Health and weighty reasons
If you cannot learn or take test due to:
- Serious illness (medical certificate)
- Cognitive/mental disability
- Severe dyslexia
- Other weighty personal reasons
Applied individually at UDI with medical certificate.
2. Age over 67
Exempt from language requirement.
3. Stateless and certain elderly
Can meet requirement at A2 instead of B1 for citizenship.
4. Illiteracy
Can get alphabetisation training as precursor.
5. UDI individual assessment
Can give partial or full exemption on individual assessment.
Right and duty to Norwegian training
Introduction programme (Integration Act)
Refugees and family-reunited newcomers have right and duty to:
- Norwegian training — up to 3 years, free
- Civics — 75 hours obligatory
- Introduction allowance during programme (2 × G/year ≈ NOK 248,000 in 2026)
Municipality responsible.
Norwegian training for other groups
- EEA work immigrants — no duty, can participate paid
- Family immigrants with Norwegian citizen — 300 hours free (2026)
- Family immigrants with third-country resident — 300 hours free
Private language schools
- Folkeuniversitetet — courses all levels
- Berlitz, EF, Wall Street English — intensive
- University courses
- NAV courses for jobseekers
Prices: NOK 5,000–25,000 per level.
Free online resources
- NRK Skole
- Duolingo, Memrise
- Klar Tale — news in simple Norwegian
- NRK Radio — podcasts
- Norwegian on the Web (NTNU)
Norwegian test: practical
Four parts
- Reading (60 min)
- Listening (30 min)
- Writing (90 min)
- Speaking (20 min individual, pair or group)
Each part gives own level (A1, A2, B1, B2). Oral counts for language requirement.
Registration and price
- Registration: kompetansenorge.no or municipal adult education
- Deadlines: normally 2 months before
- Test dates: two main periods yearly (May and December)
- Private candidate 2026:
- Full test: NOK 1,400
- Single part: NOK 500 per part
Free for introduction programme participants.
Date and location
All over Norway. Booked electronically with BankID or MinID.
How to prepare
Time estimate per level
| From | To | Training hours | Months intensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | A1 | 60–100 | 2–3 |
| A1 | A2 | 100–200 | 3–6 |
| A2 | B1 | 200–300 | 6–12 |
| B1 | B2 | 300–500 | 12–24 |
Five tips
- Speak Norwegian daily
- Watch Norwegian TV/film with subtitles
- Read simple books
- Attend language cafés
- Take mock exams
See also adult right to upper secondary.
Can I retake?
Yes — unlimited. Pay new private candidate fee. Retain passed parts — only retake failed part.
Example: got B1 written but A2 oral. Next attempt: only oral, NOK 500.
Consequences of not meeting
Permanent residence
- Application refused
- Retain temporary if valid
- Can reapply
Citizenship
- Application refused
- Retain permanent
- Can reapply
Appeal
Refusal for language can be appealed to UNE (Immigration Appeals Board) within 3 weeks. See rule of law. Free legal aid possible.
Special for Ukrainian refugees
Ukrainians with collective protection (§ 34):
- No duty to Norwegian training under collective protection
- Can participate free if desired
- Language requirements apply on transition to permanent
See Norway and Ukraine.
Common questions
Can I get exemption because I'm over 60?
No — requirement applies 18 to 67.
Can I use old exam certificates?
Yes — Norskprøven has unlimited validity. But 2022 change requires B1 for citizenship even with old A2 certificate.
Can I go directly from 0 to B1?
Technically yes. Normally 1.5–2 years intensive.
Is written Norwegian important?
For language requirement only oral counts, but written important for work, Lånekassen, NAV.
How do I check my result?
Sent to Digipost or eBoks within 6–8 weeks.
Summary
Language requirements in Norway regulated by Citizenship Act § 8, Immigration Act § 62 and Integration Act. For permanent residence oral A2 required from 1 September 2025 (previously A1) plus civics test (own language possible). For citizenship oral B1 from 1 October 2022 plus citizenship/civics test in Norwegian. Applies to 18–67; exemptions for health, age or weighty personal reasons need medical certificate at UDI. Newcomers have right and duty to free Norwegian training (up to 3 years) under introduction programme with allowance (~NOK 248,000/year in 2026). Private schools cost NOK 5,000–25,000 per level; free resources include NRK Skole, Klar Tale, Duolingo. Norskprøven administered by HK-dir, costs NOK 1,400 full or NOK 500 per part, unlimited retakes. Ukrainians with collective protection not obliged during protection, requirements apply on transition. Check updated rules at udi.no.
