Norway: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-11
Path to citizenship
Norwegian citizenship comes after 8 years of residence within the last 11, or 6 within the last 10 with sufficient income (about three times the National Insurance basic amount a year). You need spoken Norwegian at and a social studies test, and at the time of the decision a permanent residence permit or meeting all its requirements. Dual citizenship has been allowed since 2020. Spouses of citizens need 5 years of residence, with residence and marriage together totalling at least 7 years. Whether Ukrainians' collective-protection time counts we could not find — the graph does not count it. Processing takes six months to two years.
- • 6 of the last 10 years with sufficient income
- • 8 of the last 11 years
- • spouses of citizens — 5 years, residence and marriage together at least 7
Citizenship application processing, years: 0.5–2.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo | NOK 26,300≈ €2,530 | NOK 51,400≈ €4,950 |
| Bergen | NOK 23,000≈ €2,210 | NOK 46,400≈ €4,460 |
| Trondheim | NOK 22,600≈ €2,170 | NOK 45,600≈ €4,390 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety86
- Earning potential100
- Healthcare95
- Path to citizenship62
- Schools and education74
- Environment98
- Warm, sunny climate22
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in Norway, and how long does it take?
6 of the last 10 years with sufficient income; 8 of the last 11 years; spouses of citizens — 5 years, residence and marriage together at least 7. Processing takes 0.5–2 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in Norway?
The main routes we cover: Residence in Norway (work, study, family); Residence as the spouse of a Norwegian citizen. The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
How much does it cost to live in Norway per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: Oslo ≈ NOK 26,300 / NOK 51,400; Bergen ≈ NOK 23,000 / NOK 46,400; Trondheim ≈ NOK 22,600 / NOK 45,600. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026.
How much is rent in Norway?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: Oslo NOK 15,500–NOK 19,000; Bergen NOK 12,500–NOK 15,500; Trondheim NOK 12,000–NOK 14,500.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 11.2026; budget as of 11.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
Sources
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.