From passing the test to the citizenship application
Your result comes the day after the test, by e-mail and on HK-dir's "Min side". The test certificate (prøvebevis) arrives by post within 2–4 weeks; you can also share results through Vitnemålsportalen. HK-dir gives no expiry date for it.
Apply to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) online at udi.no, pay the fee, then book a police appointment to show your passport and original documents. The police prepare the case and UDI decides (Citizenship Act, statsborgerloven, § 27).
UDI checks the main conditions (§ 7) on the date of the decision: clarified identity, age 12 or over, living in Norway and staying, meeting the conditions for permanent residence, 8 of the last 11 years in Norway with permits valid for at least one year (shorter for some groups), oral Norwegian at B1 and a passed test if you are 18–67, and no waiting period after a criminal penalty. A full police certificate goes with the application.
Fee (2026; subject to change): NOK 6,500 for adults; children under 18 pay nothing. A 2026 consultation proposes stricter rules for some groups. Nothing was decided on 1 October 2026, so check udi.no before you apply.
Decision and citizenship ceremony
UDI publishes current processing times on udi.no. A refusal can be appealed to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE). You become Norwegian through UDI's decision (vedtak); no oath is needed first. Afterwards the County Governor (Statsforvalteren) invites new citizens aged 12 and over to a citizenship ceremony (statsborgerseremoni). In Innlandet, for example, people who became citizens between 15 August 2025 and 15 August 2026 were invited in autumn 2026. Taking part is voluntary. At the ceremony all new citizens make a joint loyalty pledge (troskapsløfte).
ID card and passport
Book an appointment at a police passport and ID office (pass- og ID-kontor). Prices from 1 January 2026:
- Passport: NOK 840 from age 16, NOK 510 under 16
- National ID card: NOK 840 from age 10, NOK 510 under 10
- Both at the same appointment: 20% off (NOK 1,340 from age 16)
In September 2026 the police expected about 1 week for a passport and about 2 weeks for an ID card, plus postal time. Documents come by post unless you choose to collect them when you apply.
Your previous citizenship
Since 1 January 2020 Norway has not required you to give up another citizenship. Your other country may end your citizenship automatically or require permission, so ask its embassy before UDI decides. If you later live abroad with another citizenship, you can apply to give up Norwegian citizenship (§ 25).
Tax and social security
Citizenship does not change your tax or benefits: both depend on where you live and work, not on citizenship (National Insurance Scheme, folketrygden). You no longer need a residence permit, and a Norwegian citizen cannot be refused entry to Norway (Constitution, Grunnloven, § 106). If you move abroad, your membership can end; ask Nav first.
Voting and other rights
- Parliament (Stortinget): citizens who are 18 or turn 18 by the end of the election year, and who are or have been registered as resident in Norway, can vote (Election Act § 2-1) and stand for election (§ 3-1).
- Local and county elections: foreign citizens can vote after 3 years of registered residence (§ 2-2); as a citizen you no longer wait.
- EU: Norway is not in the EU, so there are no European Parliament elections; the EEA Agreement lets you live and work in EU/EEA countries.
- Public posts: senior state officials (Grunnloven § 114), judges (Courts Act § 53) and ministers must be Norwegian citizens.
- Military service: citizens fit for service, men and women born in 1997 or later, have a duty to serve (verneplikt) from the year they turn 19 to the end of the year they turn 44. Dual citizens have it while living in Norway, unless an agreement with the other country prevents it (Defence Act § 6).
Effect on children
- Children under 18 can become citizens with you (§ 17), free of charge. Those over 2 need the last 2 years in Norway with permits of at least one year. Married children are not included, and children aged 12 or older must consent (§ 31).
- A child born after you become a citizen is Norwegian at birth if either parent is Norwegian, even if born abroad (§ 4).
- A child born Norwegian who has lived less than 2 years in Norway (or 7 years in the Nordic countries) loses Norwegian citizenship at 22 unless they apply to keep it before then (§ 24).
Frequently asked questions
Does my test certificate expire? HK-dir gives no expiry date. UDI checks all conditions on the date of its decision.
When exactly do I become Norwegian? On the date of UDI's decision. The ceremony comes later and is voluntary.
Can my children be included? Yes, children under 18 can apply with you at no cost, if they meet the residence rule.
Will I be called up for military service? Possibly, if you are fit and between 19 and 44.
Useful links
- HK-dir, results and certificate: prove.hkdir.no
- UDI, citizenship: udi.no
- Citizenship Act: lovdata.no · Citizenship Regulations: lovdata.no
- Police, passport and ID card prices: politiet.no
- County Governor, citizenship ceremonies: statsforvalteren.no
- Election Act: lovdata.no · Defence Act: lovdata.no