# A1, A2, B1 or B2? Norwegian Level for Residence and Citizenship

Which Norwegian level do you need? A permanent residence permit requires oral A2, citizenship requires B1. Here is how the level rules fit together in 2026.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/norsknivaa-opphold-statsborgerskap
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-06-24T16:01:23.157+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-10T11:13:45.689287+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- Permanent residence: A2 oral A permanent residence permit requires a passed oral Norwegian test at least at level A2, a requirement that was raised from A1 on 1. september 2025.
- Citizenship: B1 oral Norwegian citizenship requires oral Norwegian at least at level B1, a requirement that has applied to applications submitted from 1. oktober 2022.
- Applies to ages 18–67, with exceptions The requirement applies to most people between 18 and 67 years old; exemptions can be given for health or other serious reasons, assessed by UDI.

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](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/norskproven-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](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/familieinnvandring-underholdskrav).

## 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

1. **Oral Norwegian test** — minimum A2
2. **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](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/permanent-oppholdstillatelse-krav).

## 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).

See [rule of law and courts](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/rettsstat-og-domstolene-norge).

### 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

See [citizenship requirements](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/norsk-statsborgerskap-krav).

## 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

1. **Reading** (60 min)
2. **Listening** (30 min)
3. **Writing** (90 min)
4. **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](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/bankid-id-porten-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

1. **Speak Norwegian daily**
2. **Watch Norwegian TV/film** with subtitles
3. **Read simple books**
4. **Attend language cafés**
5. **Take mock exams**

See also [adult right to upper secondary](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/voksenrett-videregaende-gratis).

## 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](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/rettsstat-og-domstolene-norge). 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](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/reise-til-ukraina-kollektiv-beskyttelse).

## 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](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/lanekassen-flyktninger-eos), NAV.

### How do I check my result?

Sent to [Digipost or eBoks](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/digital-postkasse-digipost-ebok) 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.

## FAQ

### Which Norwegian level do I need for a permanent residence permit?

As a main rule, you must have passed the oral Norwegian test at least at level A2. The requirement applies to applications submitted from 1. september 2025 (earlier A1). In addition, you must pass the samfunnskunnskapsprøven (social studies test), which for permanent residence can be taken in a language you understand. Source: UDI.

### Which Norwegian level do I need for citizenship?

You must have passed the oral Norwegian test at least at level B1. This has been the requirement for applications submitted from 1. oktober 2022. In addition, you must pass the statsborgerprøven (citizenship test) or the samfunnskunnskapsprøven in Norwegian. Source: UDI.

### What is the difference between A2 and B1?

A2 is basic Norwegian: you can handle simple conversations about familiar, everyday topics. B1 is an independent level: you manage in most everyday situations and can explain opinions and talk about experiences. Citizenship therefore requires more than permanent residence.

### Who is exempt from the Norwegian requirement?

The requirement applies to most people between 18 and 67 years old. If you are under 18 or over 67, you are normally outside the test requirement. You can also apply for an exception due to serious health problems or other serious reasons. Exceptions are assessed individually by UDI.

### Must the social studies test be taken in Norwegian?

It depends on the goal. For a permanent residence permit, the samfunnskunnskapsprøven can be taken in a language you understand well. For citizenship, however, you must pass the statsborgerprøven or the samfunnskunnskapsprøven in Norwegian.

## Sources

- [Endringer i kravene om norsk og samfunnskunnskap for permanent oppholdstillatelse](https://www.udi.no/viktige-meldinger/endringer-i-kravene-om-norsk-og-samfunnskunnskap-permanent-oppholdstillatelse/)
- [Endrede krav til norskkunnskaper for å få norsk statsborgerskap](https://www.udi.no/viktige-meldinger/endrede-krav-til-norskkunnskaper-for-a-fa-norsk-statsborgerskap/)
- [Om Norskprøven A1–B2](https://hkdir.no/voksenopplaering/norsk-og-samfunnskunnskap/om-norskprovene/norskproven-a1-b2/om-norskproven-a1-b2)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "A1, A2, B1 or B2? Norwegian Level for Residence and Citizenship", SamfunnPrep, 2026-06-24T16:01:23.157+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/norsknivaa-opphold-statsborgerskap