From 1 July 2026, several rules and rates at NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service) are changing. The most important change concerns disability benefit, where cohabitants and married couples with the lowest base now receive the same minimum income base as single people. In addition, several rates are adjusted upward. Here are the most important changes for you living in Norway.

Disability benefit: equal minimum base regardless of marital status

From 1 July 2026, the minimum income base for disability benefit becomes equal for everyone, regardless of whether you are single, cohabiting, or married. The base is set at 3.5 times the basic amount (3.5 G).

Previously, cohabitants and married couples had a lower base – 3.3 G – while single people already had 3.5 G. Now cohabitants and married couples are raised to the same level. The change applies to you who have the lowest base (the minimum benefit). If you have a higher, actually calculated income base, you are not affected.

The basic amount (1 G) is 136 549 kroner as of 1 May 2026. This means that 3.5 G is approximately 478 000 kroner in 2026. The change can therefore give slightly higher disability benefit for some who are cohabiting or married. NAV makes the change automatically and sends you a decision letter if it affects your benefit. You can read more about terms and rates in the guide on disability benefit in Norway.

Several rates are adjusted upward

Several rates and money support from NAV are adjusted upward to follow price increases. The basic amount was raised to 136 549 kroner from 1 May 2026, an increase of 4.91 percent. Many benefits are linked to the basic amount, so an increase in G can result in slightly higher payments.

Check your own benefit on nav.no, since the changes are different for different types of support. If you are unsure which benefits you have the right to, you will find an overview in the article on NAV for immigrants.

Activity benefit for young people becomes taxable

Another change from 1 July 2026 concerns activity benefit for young people. This is a pilot scheme under the project "An Easier NAV". From this date, activity benefit is taxable and must be reported as income. If you receive this support, you should be aware that tax is now withheld.

What should you do?

Most of the changes happen automatically – you do not need to apply again. But it is worth checking your payment in July and August, so that you see the amount is correct. If you receive disability benefit as a cohabitant or married person, it may be worth seeing if your base has changed.

Many of the rules about NAV, benefits, and welfare are part of the curriculum for samfunnskunnskapsprøven. You can practice for free on SamfunnPrep and become more confident in how the welfare system works.