Permanent residence permit
People who have lived in Norway for three years on qualifying permits, such as work or family immigration, can usually apply for permanent residence. Since 1 September 2025 applicants aged 18 to 67 must pass an oral Norwegian test at A2 level and a social studies test. They must also have had their own income of at least a set amount in the past year.
Life in Norway
Money
3
Currency
Norwegian Krone
NOK
Norwegian Krone
Cost of living
96
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
22–39.8%
Income tax (national)
VAT 25% · social security 7.6%
22% tax on general income (18.5% in Troms and Finnmark) plus bracket tax of 1.7%-17.8% on personal income above NOK 226,100; top step from NOK 1,467,201. Max effective marginal rate on wages 47.4% including national insurance.
Living
1
Happiness
#6 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Non-EU/EEA nationals who have held qualifying temporary permits in Norway for at least three years.
Eligibility
Residence period
You usually need 3 years of continuous residence on permits that form a basis for permanent residence.
Residence needed
- Usual requirement
- 3 years
- Some permit types
- 5 years
- Examples: work immigration, family immigration
Official wording
Usually 3 years of continuous residence on permits that form a basis for permanent residence (e.g. work immigration, family immigration); some permit types need 5 years.
Time abroad
For a 3-year requirement, your total time outside Norway cannot exceed 7 months.
Maximum time outside Norway
- 3-year requirement
- 7 months
- Skilled workersif 8 months work travel
- 15 months
- Skilled worker exception needs at least 8 months of work travel for your employer
Official wording
For a 3-year requirement, total time outside Norway cannot exceed 7 months; skilled workers may be away up to 15 months if at least 8 months were work travel for their employer.
Permit gaps
Your total time without a valid permit cannot exceed 3 months.
3 months
Maximum time without a permit
Official wording
Time without a valid permit cannot exceed 3 months in total.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementIncome
- Document checklistPassport and current residence card
- FeesPermanent residence application fee (adult)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 3 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 2 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Norway
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Norway
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyStudy permit
- Work permitsResidence permit for skilled workers (oppholdstillatelse til faglærte), Immigration Regulations section 6-1
- FamilyFamily immigration with a spouse, cohabitant or partner
- CitizenshipNorwegian citizenship by application
Permanent residence in other countries
- New ZealandSkilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa
- PanamaPermanent Residence – Jubilado o Pensionado
- ParaguayPermanent residence by change of category from temporary residence
- RomaniaLong-term residence right
- Saudi ArabiaSaudi Premium Residency – Special Talent Residency, plus the Limited Duration and Unlimited Duration products
- SeychellesResidence Permit
