The main ways to obtain Norwegian citizenship are naturalization and descent. The standard residence period for naturalization is 8 years. For spouses of Norwegian citizens, the minimum residence period is reduced to 5 years, while the combined period of residence and marriage must be at least 7 years. It is impossible to obtain a Norwegian passport without any residence at all: before applying, you must live in the country with a residence permit or permanent residence permit, demonstrate proficiency in Norwegian and pass a test on Norwegian society and government.

The country officially recognizes multiple and dual citizenship, so there is no need to renounce your first passport. Applications for citizenship are processed for up to 19 months. A passport is issued within several weeks after the application is approved. The state fee for submitting an application is about EUR 570.

Legal Framework for Obtaining Norwegian Citizenship

The main legal act governing the acquisition and loss of citizenship is the Norwegian Citizenship Act, adopted in 2005. The second important document is the Immigration Act, which regulates the issuance of residence permits.

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, UDI (Utlendingsdirektoratet), is authorized to receive, process and make decisions on all citizenship applications. The Norwegian police act as the primary receiving authority. A foreign national books an appointment and personally submits the original documents to the local police office at the place of residence, which verifies the applicant’s identity and forwards the file to UDI. To successfully complete the standard naturalization procedure, you must:

• Have lived in Norway for at least 8 years during the past 11 years. Each residence permit on the basis of which the person stayed in the country must have been valid for at least 1 year. At the time of application and throughout the entire processing period, the applicant must hold a valid permanent residence permit or a residence permit that forms the basis for permanent residence.
• Demonstrate spoken Norwegian. Depending on the applicant’s original status, level A2 or B1 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required.
• Successfully pass the official test on knowledge of the laws, history and structure of society.
• Have no criminal record or serious offenses.

The financial self-sufficiency requirement is taken into account twice. You cannot obtain a passport without permanent residence, for which you must earn at least NOK 341,373 (EUR 31,600) per year. If your verified income exceeds NOK 384,348 (EUR 35,600), the state is prepared to consider your citizenship application under an accelerated procedure.

Foreign nationals who acquire a Norwegian passport through naturalization have the legal right to retain their original citizenship if this does not conflict with the laws of their home country. Likewise, Norwegian citizens who acquire the citizenship of another state do not automatically lose their Norwegian status. Obtaining a Norwegian passport entails acquiring the rights and obligations of a citizen of the Kingdom of Norway. The status gives the right to:

• vote and stand as a candidate in parliamentary elections to the Storting;
• receive consular assistance from Norwegian diplomatic missions anywhere in the world;
• live in the country and cross the borders of Norway and the countries of the Schengen Area an unlimited number of times;
• apply for public-sector and security-related positions (police, judiciary, armed forces, diplomatic service).

Norwegian citizens are required to comply with the Constitution and the laws of the country. All Norwegian citizens (both men and women) aged 19 to 44 are potentially liable for military service and may be called up for compulsory service or military training in the Armed Forces if they are found fit by the conscription board. Citizens may also periodically be called to serve as jurors in courts of general jurisdiction.

What a Norwegian Passport Provides

According to an international ranking, the Norwegian passport is among the top 5 strongest passports in the world. Norwegian citizens can visit 174 countries visa-free (or with a visa on arrival), including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Norway is not a member of the European Union, but it is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and a signatory to the Schengen Agreement, providing its citizens with the following benefits:

• The right to live and work in Europe.
  Norwegian citizens benefit from the basic European principle of free movement of workers. They have the right to live, work, open a business and study in any of the 27 European Union countries, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, without the need to obtain work visas or special permits.
• Access to healthcare and social protection.
  The public healthcare system is fully funded from the state budget. Citizens pay only a small annual threshold for doctor visits and prescription medicines (NOK 3,278 per year), after which medical care and operations become completely free of charge. In the event of job loss, illness or disability, the national insurance system (NAV) guarantees payments that protect against a decline in living standards.
• The right to education.
  Higher education at Norway’s public universities is almost free for citizens. Norwegian citizens are entitled to preferential student loans and grants from the state fund Lånekassen for studies at fee-paying universities in Norway and at prestigious universities abroad.

Norwegian citizenship guarantees that your children, born anywhere in the world, will be Norwegian by birth. It is legally easier for a Norwegian citizen to invite relatives or reunite with a foreign spouse than for a residence permit holder, because citizens are subject to a more stable regulatory framework of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

A Norwegian passport provides access to inexpensive loans from Scandinavian banks. Although personal income tax in Norway is high (the progressive rate can reach 47.4%), the corporate income tax rate is quite competitive at 22%. The state actively subsidizes start-ups, especially in green technologies, IT and automation (through the Innovasjon Norge fund).

Since January 1, 2020, Norway has officially permitted multiple citizenship. You may legally hold two passports and use the benefits of both statuses. In 2026, a Norwegian passport provides the same economic freedoms and visa-free opportunities as the strongest passports of the European Union. However, unlike, for example, Germany, Norway has a stronger social and pension system financed by the state Sovereign Wealth Fund. One of the disadvantages is the rather long residence period. EU countries have accelerated citizenship programs that Norway does not offer.

If your goal is to obtain a second citizenship in a European country quickly, contact our immigration specialists and find out whether you can obtain an EU passport within one year without the need to live abroad.

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Who Can Obtain Norwegian Citizenship

Norwegian citizenship can be obtained by children of citizens, naturalized foreigners, and spouses and partners of Norwegians. Citizens of Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland have access to a faster route to status in Norway: due to historical and linguistic proximity, they only need to have lived legally in Norway for 2 years.

Foreign nationals who have received official refugee status in Norway may apply for a passport after 7 years of residence. In some cases, Norwegian language proficiency at A2 instead of B1 is sufficient for them. Norway has no citizenship-by-investment programs. Citizenship cannot be obtained by purchasing real estate or solely by birthright: if a child of foreign nationals is simply born in Norway, the child does not automatically acquire citizenship.

Repatriation as a Route to Norwegian Citizenship

Norway does not have a classic repatriation program for second- or third-generation descendants of ethnic Norwegians. The return procedure applies exclusively to those who personally were Norwegian citizens and lost that status. Until January 1, 2020, Norway prohibited second citizenship. If a Norwegian moved abroad and acquired the citizenship of another country, Norwegian citizenship was automatically lost.

After dual citizenship was permitted, the state introduced a simplified procedure for restoring status. Under the rules, before applying, a person must have lived in Norway for 2 years with a residence permit valid for at least one year and must pass a Norwegian language exam. Absence from the country for more than 2 months per year is not permitted. The fee is NOK 3,200 (about EUR 296).

Naturalization

Naturalization in Norway is the legal process of granting citizenship to a foreign national on the basis of an application after the person has met the requirements for residence, integration and financial independence. You may apply for a Norwegian passport through naturalization if you have stayed in the country on the basis of employment, business activity or family reunification. For the Directorate of Immigration to approve the application, you must:

• have lived legally in Norway for 8 years during the past 11 years, with each residence permit issued for at least 1 year;
• demonstrate spoken Norwegian at B1 level under the CEFR;
• successfully pass the official citizenship test or the final social studies test strictly in Norwegian (testing knowledge of Norway’s constitutional system, history, basic laws and social values);
• confirm the absence of a criminal record.

If the application for the preceding permanent residence permit was submitted after September 1, 2025, proof of financial self-sufficiency is not required. Those who stayed in the country under a residence permit or obtained permanent residence earlier must additionally provide evidence of income of at least NOK 341,373 (EUR 31,600) per year. Citizenship applications are processed for up to 19 months. The state fee for applying for citizenship is NOK 6,500 (EUR 600).

When documents are submitted, the police may take the original national passport for verification. You may be left without your main travel document for several weeks and will not be able to leave Norway. Any violation of the law puts the process on hold. For example, if you receive a substantial fine for speeding or driving under the influence, the Directorate will impose a waiting period – a ban on obtaining citizenship for a period of 1 to 5 years.

Simplified Naturalization

Certain categories of foreign nationals can obtain a Norwegian passport in less than 8 years of residence. The accelerated process is available to:

• Spouses and partners of Norwegian citizens.
  Time spent living in Norway is combined with time spent in an official marriage/cohabitation and must amount to 5 years during the past 10 years. For citizenship through marriage in Norway, the combined period of residence in Norway under a residence permit and the period of marriage must total at least 7 years. If you have been married for 3 years and have lived in Norway throughout that period, the total is 6. You will need to wait another year before applying for citizenship. At the same time, the actual period of physical residence in the country cannot be less than 5 years. If the spouse was not a Norwegian citizen at the time of marriage, the marriage period for this purpose is counted from the date the spouse obtained a Norwegian passport.
• Refugees.
  Persons who have received official refugee status in Norway need to have lived in the country for 7 of the past 10 years to obtain citizenship.
• Investors.
  Norway does not have a Golden Visa or citizenship-by-investment program. Investors and entrepreneurs obtain a standard residence permit for business activity and follow the general naturalization route, but if they have a high verified income, the standard period may be reduced to 5 years.

A reduced residence period may also apply to citizens of Nordic Council countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland), world-class athletes (if they represent Norway at international championships), as well as scientists and researchers with high international qualifications.

Applicants must meet the basic UDI criteria. All years of residence in Norway must be covered by valid permits, and each authorized period of stay must be at least 1 year. During the processing of the application, the current residence permit must remain valid. The requirement to know Norwegian also applies to these categories, but the minimum level depends on the individual situation. Usually this is spoken A2 or B1. In addition to the basic package of documents, simplified naturalization requires:

• for spouses – a marriage certificate or documents confirming cohabitation;
• for refugees – the Directorate’s decision granting refugee status;
• for athletes/scientists – a petition from the host Norwegian institution or sports federation confirming the need to obtain citizenship for international activities.

The state fee for residents of Scandinavian countries is NOK 2,700 (EUR 250); other foreign nationals pay the standard fee of NOK 6,500 (EUR 600).

Citizenship by Birth

If one or both parents are Norwegian citizens, the child, including an adopted child, acquires Norwegian citizenship unconditionally at birth. The rule applies regardless of whether the child was born in Norway or abroad. If a child of a Norwegian citizen is born abroad and continues to live there, the child retains automatic citizenship only until the age of 22. Before reaching that age, the person must either have lived in Norway for a total of at least 2 years or submit an application to UDI to retain citizenship, demonstrating ties to the country.

Children of foreign nationals born in Norway automatically receive the citizenship of their parents (or one of them, depending on the laws of their home countries). The child receives a Norwegian residence permit corresponding to the status of the parents. Once one of the foreign parents successfully naturalizes and obtains a Norwegian passport, that parent has the right to add minor children to the application. In that case, the child acquires citizenship together with the parent.

If the parents remain immigrants with residence permits, the child may submit an independent citizenship application under a simplified procedure. For children under 18 who were born in Norway or moved there in early childhood, the residence requirement is reduced. It is sufficient for them to have lived legally in the country for 5 of the past seven years. Minor children are fully exempt from the language exam and citizenship test.

No fee is charged for processing applications from minors. The file must include the child’s birth certificate and the parents’ documents. If a Norwegian citizen was born abroad, the foreign birth certificate is attached.

The Fastest Ways to Obtain Norwegian Citizenship in 2026

The standard naturalization route in Norway takes 8 years. The country has no classic repatriation program for distant descendants of citizens, so it is not possible to obtain a passport quickly solely because you have a Norwegian ancestor. Buying real estate will not result in a passport either, because Norway has no such programs. The realistic ways to become a citizen in a shorter period are marriage to a Norwegian and earning income above the established threshold. The table below presents possible accelerated routes relevant in 2026.

For most preferential categories, even a reduced residence requirement still means at least 6 years of residence. If your goal is to obtain a second passport within a short period, you should consider programs in other countries.

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Norwegian Citizenship

Step 1. Obtaining a national visa and the first residence permit.

Once you have determined the basis for long-term residence in Norway (employment, family reunification, study, business), you must prepare the corresponding package of documents. Applications are submitted through visa centers by prior online appointment. The state fee depends on the basis: for family immigration the fee is NOK 11,900 (EUR 1,057), and for work it is NOK 6,300 (EUR 560). Processing times currently exceed one year.

If approved, you will receive an email and will be able to collect your passport with the visa sticker from the visa center. After arriving in Norway, you must visit a police station and obtain a plastic residence card. It will be valid for 1 to 3 years, depending on the basis.

Step 2. Extending the residence permit.

A Norwegian residence permit should be renewed no later than 2-3 months before the permit expires. The application can be submitted online if you have an electronic ID (eID). For the period to count toward future permanent residence, you must not leave the country for more than 90 days during any 10-month period. The renewal fee is NOK 4,400 (EUR 391), and processing takes about 2 months.

Step 3. Passing the exams.

Before applying for permanent residence in Norway, you must pass 2 tests at an official Kompetanse Norge center:

• Norskprøven (Norwegian language test) – A2 is sufficient for permanent residence, but B1 (spoken) is required for citizenship;
• Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (social studies test) – includes 38 questions about Norway’s history, politics and daily life in Norwegian.

The waiting time for results is several weeks. Depending on the municipality, the cost of the exams is NOK 400-2,500 (EUR 36-222) each. Digital certificates are issued upon successful completion.

Step 4. Obtaining permanent residence.

After 3 years of continuous residence on a work or family residence permit, you can apply for permanent residence. The application is submitted 3 months before the current residence permit expires. You must confirm income for the previous 12 months (at least NOK 341,373 – EUR 30,333), provide exam certificates and a police certificate confirming the absence of offenses. Applications are processed for up to 25 months. The permanent residence fee is NOK 4,000 (EUR 355) for adults. After approval, you obtain permanent resident status. The card must be replaced every 2 years, but permanent residence itself is indefinite.

Step 5. Applying for citizenship.

You can apply for citizenship after 8 years of legal residence in Norway during the past 11 years (or 7 years if your annual income exceeds the UDI threshold). Years of residence are counted cumulatively across residence permit and permanent residence cards. You will need documented spoken Norwegian at B1 level and no serious offenses or criminal convictions (speeding fines may trigger a waiting period before applying). The application processing fee is NOK 6,500 (EUR 578) for adults. The waiting time in 2026 is about 19 months. If the application is approved, you will receive an invitation to a formal oath ceremony.

Step 6. Obtaining a Norwegian passport.

After receiving the citizenship decision, you make an appointment with the police to obtain your documents. The production fee is NOK 840 (EUR 75) for a biometric passport and an additional NOK 540 (EUR 48) for an ID card. It takes about one week to produce the passport.

What Documents Are Required for Norwegian Citizenship

Regardless of the basis for applying for Norwegian citizenship, all foreign nationals will need a basic set of documents.

Individual documents will include a valid permanent residence permit, a marriage certificate, an extract from the National Population Register proving that you live at the same address, and documents confirming the Norwegian citizenship of your spouse/partner. If you were born to Norwegian citizens or previously held citizenship but lost it, you will need:

• a birth certificate showing the names of the parents;
• documents confirming that at least one parent was a Norwegian citizen at the time of your birth;
• archival certificates concerning the loss of citizenship.

All documents for Norwegian citizenship issued in languages other than Norwegian, English, Danish or Swedish must be officially translated. The translation must be performed by a certified translator and indicate the date. Original documents (birth and marriage certificates) must bear an apostille if the country that issued the document is a party to the Hague Convention.

Children need a birth certificate and passport (if available). If a child applies with only one parent, the official written consent of the other parent, notarized, is required.

How Much Does Norwegian Citizenship Cost

The cost of obtaining Norwegian citizenship consists of fixed state fees and associated expenses for preparing documents. Below is a detailed analysis of all expenses relevant in 2026.

On average, the equivalent of at least EUR 732 will be required for mandatory payments related to obtaining Norwegian citizenship. The cost of immigration lawyer services should be calculated separately.

Why Norwegian Citizenship May Be Refused

The Directorate of Immigration may refuse to grant Norwegian citizenship for one of the following reasons:

• errors in documents and submission of outdated certificates;
• absence of a translation and apostille;
• a fictitious basis for the application;
• failure to meet the required residence period;
• absence from the country beyond the permitted limit;
• violation of immigration rules or a criminal record;
• failure to pass the language exam and citizenship test.

If UDI sends an official notice of refusal, you may file an appeal within 3 weeks from the date you receive the decision. The procedure is free of charge and is completed online through the UDI portal.

In the refusal letter, UDI indicates whether the appeal has a “suspensive effect” (staying effect). In most standard cases, if your current residence permit is still valid or you submitted your documents on time, you are allowed to remain legally in Norway until UNE issues a final decision. If the refusal is not related to deportation or forged documents (for example, you were simply a few months short of the required residence period or language level), you have the right to correct the deficiencies and submit a new application.

In some EU countries, citizenship can be obtained in 4-14 months without living abroad. Contact a company lawyer to choose an immigration route based on your individual circumstances.

Is It Worth Obtaining Norwegian Citizenship in 2026

Among Norway’s advantages are economic stability and strong social protection for citizens. The public insurance system fully covers basic needs in the event of job loss, illness or disability. Since 2020, Norway has allowed second citizenship, meaning there is no need to renounce your first passport. The Norwegian passport itself provides visa-free entry to 174 countries and freedom of movement/work throughout the EU.

Working overtime is not customary in Norway. The standard working week is 37.5 hours, and staying late at the office is considered bad form. Norwegians devote evenings and weekends entirely to family and sports. The country has a low crime rate, exceptionally clean air and tap water, as well as phenomenal nature within easy reach.

Immigrants cite high taxes and the cost of living among the disadvantages. The housing market, services, alcohol and restaurant dining are very expensive. It is difficult to save large amounts of money here. Norway follows the principle of social equality (Janteloven). The gap between minimum and maximum salaries within companies is small. Being extremely wealthy in Norway is disadvantageous; the system is oriented toward a comfortable middle class.

Norway is an ideal home for families with children: it offers some of the best conditions for raising children – inexpensive kindergartens, free schools, benefits, parental leave shared by both parents, and a high level of safety. IT specialists and engineers choose Norway because their professions are in demand: the renewable energy, oil and gas, marine engineering and software development sectors face labor shortages.

If your goal is to build a multimillion-dollar business with aggressive growth or receive huge bonuses, Norwegian taxation and strict labor laws will hold you back. In that case, you should consider other countries for immigration. Other destinations are also recommended for those who are not inclined to learn a foreign language – without passing an oral B1-level exam, it is impossible to obtain a passport. If you absolutely need 300 days of sunshine a year, spontaneous street interaction and 24-hour city life, Norway will quickly make you depressed.

Obtaining a Norwegian passport is entirely realistic, but the process requires time and discipline. First, you should live for 3 years with a residence permit, then 6-8 years with permanent residence, and then wait about another 2 years for a decision on the citizenship application. If time matters, it is easier to use one of the simplified EU programs and obtain a passport much faster.

Our company’s immigration specialists will help you navigate the procedures and support you at every stage of obtaining a second passport.

Professional Assistance and Immigrant Reviews

According to immigrant reviews, Norway is a highly digitalized country with clear rules. At the same time, the strict requirements of the Directorate of Immigration and long waiting times for decisions turn naturalization into a lengthy marathon. It is impossible to negotiate informally with the competent authorities or speed up the queue outside the law, and even the smallest mistake in preparing the file can lead to an even longer delay.

A lawyer acts as a strategic adviser and defender of your interests. Their main task is to ensure that your file is impeccable and that immigration officials have no grounds for refusal. Expats note that the rules are constantly changing and that it is important to stay informed about amendments. Those who have successfully completed the naturalization procedure recommend consulting specialists. Legal assistance in obtaining citizenship guarantees that the process will be easier and calmer.

If passport processing time is the priority, citizenship of an EU country with accelerated citizenship programs may be an alternative. Find out how you can obtain a second passport without having to move abroad by booking a consultation with an immigration lawyer.