Moving to Norway begins with obtaining a temporary residence permit on a specific basis — the law provides for employment, entrepreneurial activity, family circumstances, and other reasons. After 3 years of residence with a residence permit, provided that the requirements regarding income level, language proficiency, and compliance with immigration rules are met, a foreign national becomes eligible to apply for permanent residence. Permanent residence provides the right to stay and work in Norway indefinitely — it is a more stable status than a temporary residence permit.

Unlike a temporary residence permit, which is issued for a specific period and is tied to a particular purpose of stay, permanent residence does not require regular renewal. However, the plastic card confirming the status must be renewed periodically.

The main ways to immigrate to Norway are employment as a skilled worker, family reunification, and certain forms of self-employment. A student residence permit by itself does not lead to permanent residence, because the period of study is not counted toward the required period of permanent presence in the country.

Why Norway Attracts Emigrants

Emigration to Norway from outside the European Union is popular because of the country’s high standard of living, as well as its stable economy and developed social services system. Obtaining a residence permit followed by permanent residence allows a foreign national to establish themselves in the country for the long term and use the opportunities available to residents.

The main advantages of obtaining permanent residence in the Kingdom of Norway are:

• indefinite residence — permanent residence status does not need to be renewed regularly;
• work and professional development — the Norwegian labor market is open to foreigners, allowing them to build successful careers;
• the opportunity to engage in entrepreneurial activity and develop your own business;
• access to the education system and national healthcare under the conditions established by law;
• the ability to use banking services, including obtaining a mortgage;
• the ability to use state social protection options;
• the right to short-term travel within the Schengen Area without obtaining a visa;
• the prospect of obtaining citizenship if the legal requirements are met.

Specialists with in-demand professions, entrepreneurs planning to conduct business in the country, and foreigners who have close relatives in the Kingdom most often decide to move to Norway for permanent residence.

Moving to Norway is possible not only with a residence permit, but also with a passport of an EU country. European Union citizens do not need to obtain any permits to live and work in Norway, so obtaining European status can become an alternative to obtaining a residence permit followed by permanent residence. Our specialists will help you obtain an EU passport through a simplified procedure and support you at every stage.

Main Ways to Immigrate to Norway

The law provides for several options for moving to Norway. The choice depends on the purpose of residence, profession, family circumstances, financial means, and plans for obtaining permanent residence in the future.

Through Employment

Moving to Norway through employment begins with obtaining a skilled worker residence permit. To do this, you must have an offer from a Norwegian employer and meet the qualification requirements, while the position and employment conditions must comply with the established rules. Specialists in IT, engineering, construction, healthcare, energy, and other fields are especially in demand in the country.

To obtain a residence permit, the candidate’s salary must be standard for the relevant profession in Norway. If a collective agreement applies to a particular sector, the rate established under it is used. If there is no collective agreement, the benchmark is at least EUR 50,480 per year for professions requiring a bachelor’s degree and from EUR 57,815 for those requiring a master’s degree.

A residence permit for employment is issued for up to 3 years. If the immigrant continues to meet the program requirements, they may extend their stay in the country.

Through Business

Moving to Norway through business is regulated by the country’s legislation. To obtain a residence permit as a self-employed person, a foreign national must have the appropriate professional qualifications and independently run their business. For this purpose, a sole proprietorship is established. There is no fixed amount that must be invested in starting the business. However, it must be proven that the sole proprietorship will be able to earn at least EUR 31,600 per year. A 22% tax will have to be paid on this amount. Depending on the type of activity, the entrepreneur may also be subject to other fees.

Through Study

Study can be a way to move to Norway temporarily. To obtain a student residence permit, the applicant must be enrolled in a full-time course at an accredited Norwegian educational institution. They must have accommodation and sufficient funds to live in the country — from EUR 1,426 per month or EUR 15,687 for 1 year.

Students are allowed to work, but no more than 20 hours per week during the academic semester and full-time during holidays. However, students are not allowed to engage in business or work as self-employed persons.

Time spent in Norway on a student residence permit is not counted toward the period required for permanent residence. Therefore, if you plan to remain in the country after graduation, you need to switch to another basis.

Through Family Reunification

Family immigration to Norway is suitable for those whose close relatives already legally reside in the country. These may include spouses, cohabitants or registered partners, minor children, and in some cases parents if they are over 60 and have no relatives in their country of residence. The sponsor must also have housing and an annual income of at least EUR 40,500.

Family immigration is available only if there is a close relative in the country, so this option applies to relatively few people. Business may be chosen by entrepreneurs with a real project and qualifications — this is a fairly demanding condition. Study can be an intermediate stage, but a student residence permit itself does not lead directly to permanent residence. Therefore, for most skilled applicants, the employment route is the most practical way to move to Norway.

Process of Obtaining Permanent Residence in Norway

Most foreign nationals can obtain permanent residence in Norway after 3 years of legal residence in the country. To do this, you need to take the following steps:

1. Choosing the Basis.
   Since not every residence permit gives the right to obtain permanent residence, you should decide on the basis for relocation from the outset and make sure that it will later allow you to obtain permanent residence in Norway.
2. Preparing the Documents.
   The list of documents required for a residence permit depends on the immigration basis. The file may include a passport, proof of education/qualifications or family ties, a letter of admission to an educational institution, an employment contract, business documents, and income information. The exact list is generated automatically by the UDI system when the application is submitted.
3. Obtaining a Residence Permit.
   After your application is approved, you receive permission to reside in the country and a residence card.
4. Meeting the Residence Requirements.
   Most categories of foreign nationals must remain in the country continuously for at least 3 years in order to obtain permanent residence in Norway. Beneficiaries of protection or another humanitarian basis require a five-year period of residence. During this period, absences from the country are permitted for no more than 7 months in total over 3 years or 10 months over 5 years. Other mandatory requirements for applicants include knowledge of the Norwegian language and a stable income.
5. Applying for Permanent Residence.
   The application for permanent residence must be submitted no later than 3 months before the current permit expires. This can be done online on the UDI website. You must then visit a police station to submit the documents and complete the biometric procedure.
6. Obtaining a Permanent Residence Card.
   After the immigration service approves the application, the foreign national becomes a permanent resident. This status is indefinite, but the plastic permanent residence card is valid for 2 years and must then be replaced.

Obtaining permanent residence in Norway is a complex and lengthy process that requires several years of residence and compliance with a number of conditions. At the same time, some EU countries have simplified programs that make it possible to obtain citizenship in about a year — after that, you can move to Norway with a European passport. Our specialists will help determine your chances of participating in such a program — book a consultation to learn more.

Requirements for the Applicant

To obtain permanent residence in Norway, you must have lived in the country for the period established by law and meet a number of conditions:

• proof of annual income of at least EUR 31,600 for each applicant aged 18–67;
• no serious problems with the law (depending on the offense and the penalty imposed, a waiting period may apply before permanent residence can be obtained);
• availability of housing (owned or rented);
• knowledge of Norwegian at level A2 or higher;
• passing the social studies exam.

What Documents Are Required

The list of documents for obtaining permanent residence in Norway depends on the basis of residence in the country and the applicant’s personal circumstances. The file may include:

• a passport or another document capable of confirming the applicant’s identity and citizenship;
• a valid residence permit — demonstrating the legality of residence in the country and compliance with the residence-period requirement;
• documents relating to previous residence permits — showing continuity of residence in the country;
• income information — proving compliance with the financial support requirements for the previous 12 months;
• a language test certificate — confirming sufficient knowledge of the Norwegian language;
• the result of the social studies test — showing compliance with integration requirements;
• documents confirming the absence of obstacles to obtaining permanent residence — allowing compliance with legal requirements, including the absence of a criminal record, to be verified;
• a receipt confirming payment of the state fee.

All foreign documents must be translated into Norwegian and legalized.

How Much Relocation and Permanent Residence Cost

The cost of moving to Norway includes government fees and other expenses.

Expense	Average Cost (EUR)
Permanent residence application fee	370 for an adult 185 for a child under 18
State fee for the first work residence permit	583
Document translation (cost per 1 document)	from 65
Apostille	13
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment (per month)	From 950
Lawyer’s services	Depend on the complexity of the case

Additional expenses should also be taken into account, including transport, banking services, and other costs. They may amount to approximately EUR 460–1,390.

Life in Norway After Relocation

After moving to Norway, foreign nationals must adapt to local rules, work, and prices. The cost of living in the country is quite high. The main expenses are housing, transport, and food. Prices vary depending on the city. For example, rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Kristiansund starts at EUR 617 per month, while in Oslo it starts at EUR 1,340. Average monthly living expenses for one person in the country are about EUR 1,250.

Wage levels in Norway remain high by European standards. The average salary in the country is EUR 5,745 before taxes. The standard tax rate is 22%.

Those who wish to engage in entrepreneurship in Norway must obtain the right to do so. Foreign nationals have access to different forms of doing business, but the specific requirements depend on their residence status and the chosen organizational form. An entrepreneur must pay taxes and other mandatory contributions on time and keep accounting records.

Norway has a highly developed education system. The country has public and private schools, universities, and vocational education institutions. Admission requirements and course fees depend on the level of education, citizenship, and the applicant’s residence status.

Residents of Norway have access to public healthcare services. After registration, a person becomes entitled to use medical services under the conditions established by law. At the same time, the patient may bear part of the costs until the established annual limit of EUR 303 is reached. Once this limit is reached, the relevant services do not require further payment until the end of the calendar year.

The choice of a Norwegian city for relocation depends on your profession, budget, and lifestyle. Popular options include:

• Oslo — the capital and main business center of Norway, offering the widest selection of job vacancies, educational opportunities, and other services;
• Bergen — a university and business center, suitable for those looking for developed urban infrastructure and a more measured pace of life;
• Trondheim — a scientific and technology hub attracting engineers, researchers, and IT specialists;
• Stavanger — an important city in the country associated with the energy sector and international business;
• Drammen — suitable for those who want to live in a quiet urban environment near the capital.

Reviews of Immigrants Who Moved to Norway for Permanent Residence

Reviews from people who have moved to Norway usually reflect both advantages and disadvantages. Among the benefits, people most often mention high incomes, a calm environment, nature, and social security. Among the difficulties are the high cost of housing and substantial everyday expenses, the need to know Norwegian, and an excessively slow adaptation process.

Many people view the process of obtaining permanent residence as requiring careful preparation. It is necessary to monitor the residence period and income, pass a language test, and meet other conditions. UDI also warns that application processing may take a long time (around 24–25 months depending on the basis for the residence permit).

The Path from Permanent Residence to Citizenship

Having permanent residence does not mean an automatic right to Norwegian citizenship. For naturalization, separate requirements must be met regarding the period of residence (at least 8 years or 6 years for applicants with a high income), language (level B1 or higher), knowledge of Norwegian society, and compliance with the law. Foreign nationals who received education in the Kingdom and those entitled to an exemption for health reasons are exempt from the exams. There must also be no circumstances preventing the acquisition of citizenship. A criminal conviction or imposed penalty may increase the waiting period.

Norway permits dual and multiple citizenship. Therefore, when obtaining a Norwegian passport, you do not have to renounce your existing citizenship if this is permitted by the law of your country.

Possible Reasons for Refusal

Permanent residence may be refused for various reasons. Most often, this happens because of errors in documents or the absence of evidence confirming the required information. Refusal will also follow if the applicant has insufficient income or no proof that it was obtained lawfully.

Violation of immigration rules can also be a problem. For example, the applicant may have left Norway too often or for excessively long periods, or failed to comply with the conditions of the residence permit. However, the most serious reasons are the provision of false information or fictitious grounds for relocation (marriage, employment, entrepreneurial activity). In such cases, the applicant may face not only refusal but also immigration problems, including deportation.

The complexity of the Norwegian immigration system lies in the fact that an error at the first stage can affect the subsequent path to permanent residence. Therefore, in a non-standard situation, it is reasonable to check the basis, documents, residence periods, and financial requirements with an immigration lawyer in advance. To minimize the risk of refusal and avoid losing time because of document errors or an incorrectly chosen basis, book a consultation with us. A specialist will assess your situation, check compliance with the requirements, and help determine the optimal path to permanent residence in Norway.