A Norwegian passport and national ID card are the most important identification documents you can have in Norway. As of 2026, an adult passport costs NOK 750, while a national ID card costs NOK 600. Both must be applied for in person at the police — book an appointment early, since waiting times in Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim can be 4–8 weeks during peak season.
Who can apply for a Norwegian passport and national ID card?
A Norwegian passport can only be issued to Norwegian citizens. If you have citizenship by birth or through naturalisation (after 7 years of residence, a passed Norwegian language test and social studies test), you have the right to a Norwegian passport.
A national ID card is available to a wider group:
- Norwegian citizens — receive a card with eID function
- Foreign nationals with valid residence permits in Norway — receive a card without eID function
To apply for a national ID card as a foreign national, you must have a valid residence document, such as a residence card issued by UDI or a registration certificate for EEA citizens. Read more about the path to permanent residence in our article on permanent right of residence for EEA citizens.
Note that a national ID card for Norwegian citizens is also valid as a travel document within the Schengen area and the EU. It is therefore a full alternative to a passport for European travel.
National ID card with eID: what does it give you access to?
For Norwegian citizens, the national ID card contains a built-in electronic ID (eID) at the highest security level. It is developed by the Norwegian Digitalisation Agency (Digdir) and gives you access to:
- BankID on mobile — online banking, digital signatures and public services
- Altinn — tax returns, public forms and digital mail
- NAV — check benefits, submit applications, follow AAP or disability benefit decisions
- Helsenorge — medical records, prescriptions and appointments
- Digipost and eBoks — receive important letters digitally from municipal, state and bank
The eID function is activated when you collect the card at the police station. You receive a one-time code by post. See our guide on BankID, ID-porten and MinID and on Digipost and eBoks digital mailbox.
How to book an appointment at the police at politiet.no
Both passport and national ID card must be applied for in person at your nearest police station with passport function. You cannot apply by post or online — biometric registration (fingerprints and digital photo) must be taken on site.
Step by step:
- Go to politiet.no/tjenester/pass-og-id-kort
- Click "Book appointment"
- Choose your nearest police station with passport function
- Choose document (passport, ID card or both)
- Pick a suitable time slot
- Bring all required documentation on the day
Documentation you need:
- Valid identification (old passport, driving licence, birth certificate)
- For children under 18: consent from both parents (or documentation of sole custody)
- For foreign nationals: a valid residence document from UDI
- Payment card — the fee is paid on site
Waiting times vary considerably. In Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger, you may wait 4–8 weeks during peak season (May–July, Easter and back-to-school). In smaller municipalities, waiting times are often 1–3 weeks. Book well in advance of planned travel.
Prices and processing times 2026
From 2026, the fees for a Norwegian passport and national ID card are as follows. Prices are set by the Ministry of Justice and paid to the police:
| Document | Adult | Under 16 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | NOK 750 | NOK 450 | 10 years (5 years under 16) |
| National ID card | NOK 600 | NOK 350 | 10 years (5 years under 16) |
| Express passport (1–3 days) | NOK 1 575 | NOK 875 | Same as standard |
| Emergency passport (same day) | NOK 1 800 | NOK 1 800 | Limited — only for current trip |
Normal processing time: 5–10 working days after the application is registered. The passport is sent by registered mail to your registered address — remember to report change of address if you have recently moved.
Express option: If you need the passport within 1–3 days, you can book an appointment for express or emergency passport. The police require documentation of the travel need (ticket, work trip or family reason).
What if your passport expires or is lost?
An expired passport is no longer valid as a travel document, but can still be used as identification within Norway. Renew it as soon as possible.
If you are a Norwegian citizen resident in Norway: Book an appointment at the police and apply for renewal as normal. Bring your expired passport.
If you are a Norwegian citizen living abroad: Contact the nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate general. They can issue an emergency passport when needed.
If your passport is stolen or lost: Report the loss to the police immediately — either at a police station or via politiet.no. See our guide on reporting to the police. If travelling abroad, contact the nearest Norwegian foreign service mission.
Note: An expired foreign passport is not valid as a residence document in Norway. Contact UDI if your residence permit is linked to your foreign passport. Ukrainian citizens with collective protection have separate rules — see our article on travel to Ukraine and collective protection.
Passport or national ID card: which should you choose?
For many immigrants who become Norwegian citizens, the choice between passport and national ID card is important:
- Do you only travel in Europe (Schengen/EU)? A national ID card with eID covers both travel and digital identification — NOK 600 for 10 years.
- Do you travel outside Europe? You need a passport. Many choose to have both: passport for long trips and ID card for daily use.
- Do you only need ID for use in Norway? A national ID card is enough — but you can also use a bank card with photo or driving licence as ID in many situations.
The national ID card is physically smaller and easier to keep in your wallet than a passport, and the eID function removes the need for a separate BankID device.
Summary
A Norwegian passport is only for citizens; a national ID card is available to everyone with a valid residence permit. Both are applied for in person at the police — book an appointment early on politiet.no. As of 2026, an adult passport costs NOK 750, an ID card costs NOK 600, both with 10 years validity. Express passports cost NOK 1 575. Normal processing time is 5–10 working days. For Norwegian citizens, the national ID card provides a full eID used at NAV, Altinn, Helsenorge and banks.
