Brief answer, updated September 12, 2026: The government has proposed several changes to the citizenship law. The proposal is under consultation and has not been adopted. The consultation deadline is October 19, 2026. Current rules still apply.
The most important thing for you considering applying is to distinguish between a rule that applies now and a rule that has only been proposed. SamfunnPrep is following the case and will update this page when the status changes.
Current Status: Under Consultation
The Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion sent the proposal for consultation on June 23, 2026. On the official consultation page, the status is "Under consultation".
A consultation means that individuals, organizations, and public agencies can submit their views. The deadline is October 19, 2026. After the deadline, the ministry can amend the proposal, proceed with it, or abandon it.
If the government wants to change the law, it normally must send a bill to the Storting. The Storting must consider and adopt the change before it can become law. No date has been provided for when the proposed rules may come into effect.
What Applies Today?
The main rule in the current citizenship law is still eight years of residence in Norway during the last eleven years. There are special rules and exceptions for several groups.
You must also meet other requirements. These may relate to identity, residence permit, Norwegian language skills, knowledge of society, and criminal matters. Use the guide to current requirements for Norwegian citizenship when you want to assess your own situation.
Do not delay a planned application just because you have read about the proposal. Instead, check the rules that apply to you at UDI now.
What Does the Government Propose?
The proposal aims to simplify several rules for digital processing. At the same time, some groups will face stricter requirements.
| Topic | Current Main Rule | Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| General residence period | Eight years within the last eleven years | Eight consecutive years |
| Spouse, partner, or cohabitant of a Norwegian citizen | At least five years of residence and a total of at least seven years of residence and cohabitation | Six years of consecutive residence, with shared residence for the last two years |
| Stateless adults | Three years of residence | Seven years of residence |
| Norwegian requirement for stateless individuals aged 18–67 | Normally A2 spoken | B1 spoken |
| Stateless individuals who arrived before turning 18 | Special rules | Five years of residence |
| Stateless individuals born in Norway | Requirements follow, among other things, from law and international regulations | New specific provision, as a main rule five years of residence |
| Residence in Svalbard | May have significance in current regulations | Will not count towards residence under the citizenship law |
The government also proposes a clearer requirement of at least one year of residence in Norway for some who apply to retain Norwegian citizenship after long absences.
This is a brief overview. The consultation document is over 100 pages long and contains several technical changes. UDI must still assess each application according to the rules that apply to the applicant's group.
Does "eight consecutive years" mean that short trips are prohibited?
No, not as the proposal is explained. "Consecutive residence" does not necessarily mean that you can never travel outside Norway.
The consultation document also describes rules for how foreign stays will be calculated. The final wording has not been adopted. Therefore, you should not use a simple newspaper headline to calculate your residence period.
If residence time is crucial for your application, use UDI's guide and document your travels and permits. Also, read about the difference between citizenship and permanent residence.
Who May Be Most Affected?
The proposal may particularly impact:
- individuals who have had several longer stays outside Norway
- spouses, partners, and cohabitants of Norwegian citizens
- stateless adults
- stateless children and youth
- individuals who will count residence in Svalbard
This does not mean that everyone in these groups will automatically face stricter requirements. Application date, transitional rules, and the final text of the law may be significant. Such details are not clear until a decision is potentially made.
What Should You Do Now?
- Find the correct applicant group in UDI's guide.
- Calculate your residence time according to current rules.
- Ensure that your residence permits and identity documents are valid.
- Check which tests you must have passed. See the format of the social studies test.
- Follow the official consultation page after October 19, 2026.
You can start preparing for the test regardless of the consultation. Try SamfunnPrep for free for short tasks and explanations in simple Norwegian. Practice does not guarantee citizenship, but it can make it easier to understand the topics in the test.
Common Misunderstandings
"The government has decided that everyone must live for eight years without interruption."
No. The government has sent a proposal for consultation.
"The new rules will apply from 2026."
There is no confirmed date for implementation as of September 12, 2026.
"All foreign trips will reset the residence time."
No. The calculation of foreign stays is more detailed. The final rule has not been adopted.
"I can use this news article as a personal decision."
No. UDI assesses your application according to current rules and the information in your case.
