Entry and residence regulations for Norway: relocation made easy

Moving to Norway – to the land of the fjords, the midnight sun and the special nature awareness of "friluftsliv" – is a big step that opens up many new perspectives. With its economic strength (especially through oil, gas and maritime industry) and its high quality of life, the kingdom is one of the most attractive destinations for German emigrants. As an experienced moving logistics company, KOCH Moving Logistics helps you with your new start in Scandinavia. This guide provides you with a detailed overview of the most important entry and residence rules that apply to German citizens.

German citizens can stay in Norway visa‑free for up to 90 days within any 180‑day period, as the kingdom is part of the Schengen Area. A valid identity card or passport is sufficient for entry – this applies to tourist stays, business trips, conference visits, family visits and also for job searches. A small but important difference from many other Schengen states: in Norway, the identity card is not just an alternative travel document but is accepted as an equivalent.

NOTE ON ETIAS: It is expected that by 2026, an ETIAS travel authorisation (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be required for visa‑free entry into the Schengen Area. This costs about 20 euros, is valid for three years and is applied for online. In addition, the EU is introducing the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires travellers to register their biometric data upon entry. The exact implementation dates have not yet been finalised.

German citizens also enjoy the benefits of EU freedom of movement in Norway, as the kingdom is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA). For a stay of more than three months, you do not need a visa, but you are subject to a registration requirement. You must apply for this at your local police authority (politiet) – usually within three months of your entry. As a result, you will receive a registration certificate (registreringsbevis) confirming your registration with the Norwegian police.

 

As an EU/EEA citizen, you have an unconditional right of residence beyond three months if you:

–are engaged in employment (employee or self‑employed);

– have sufficient means of subsistence and can prove health insurance;

– are completing a course of study or vocational training.

 

A major difference from Germany: in Norway, registration with the police is not just a formality but a mandatory prerequisite for almost all further steps, from the tax card to healthcare. However, the certificate itself is not a residence permit in the true sense – you prove your residence status when required by means of an employment contract, payslips or an enrolment certificate.

The Norwegian counterpart to the Danish CPR number is the eleven‑digit identification number. Here you must distinguish between two variants:

 

– D‑number (temporary identification number)

The D‑number is issued for persons staying temporarily in Norway (less than six months) or who do not yet have a fixed residence. This temporary number is issued by the tax authority Skatteetaten and enables basic steps such as taking up work, paying taxes and, in many cases, also opening a bank account.

 

– Fødselsnummer (permanent identification number)

The fødselsnummer is the permanent ID for all persons who have their permanent residence in Norway. It is issued after registration and identity verification at the Norwegian National Registry (Folkeregisteret). With this number, you not only open a bank account but also gain access to digital key services such as BankID and Vipps, which are ubiquitous in Norway. Many banks also accept the D‑number, but attach additional checks or restrictions to it.

 

The D‑number is a temporary identifier for shorter stays. The fødselsnummer is the standard when you live permanently in Norway and wish to integrate fully. In any case, without one of these numbers, essential areas of life – from a rental contract to an employment contract to a health card – are very difficult to realise.

The Norwegian social security system, the Folketrygden,is a tax‑financed universal insurance – it includes statutory pension, health, accident and long‑term care insurance as well as unemployment benefits. The central authority for all social security matters is NAV NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration). When employed in Norway, you are automatically insured through the Folketrygden without having to submit a separate application – your employer will usually register you with NAV.

A major difference from the German system: while in Germany social security contributions are paid jointly by employer and employee and make up a significant part of gross wages, employee contributions in Norway are comparatively low. However, the Norwegian tax rate is higher. German employees who are only temporarily seconded to Norway (usually up to twelve months) may, upon application, remain in the German social security system – this is possible under the EU coordination regulations.

After a few years in Norway, many emigrants ask themselves about citizenship. This step is the final and most important milestone of integration. Thanks to the possibility of dual citizenship, this step is now associated with significantly less renunciation for Germans than in the past.

The legal basis for this is regulated in the Norwegian Nationality Act. Applicants must meet the following main criteria:

 

– Length of residence: You must have lived in Norway for at least eight years within the last eleven years and have held a valid residence permit during this period. The average German naturalisation procedure is therefore slightly shorter, but here too the residence period is generally eight years (a reduction to six or three years is possible with special integration achievements).

 

– Permanent residence status: As a rule, you already need a permanent residence permit (permanent oppholdstillatelse) before applying..

 

– Language test (Norskprøven): You must prove your Norwegian language skills through the official Norskprøve .The required minimum level is generally B1 (oral). For naturalisation, a passed citizenship test or social studies test in Norwegian is also required. This is a significant difference from Germany, where the lower level B1 is often sufficient; however, there are exceptions here as well.

 

– Citizenship test (Statsborgerprøven): Here you must demonstrate your knowledge of Norwegian society, history and culture. The test consists of 32 multiple‑choice questions, of which at least 24 must be answered correctly.

 

– Good conduct: A police certificate (politiattest) from Norway must not show any serious criminal offences.

 

– Economic self‑sufficiency: You must prove that you can support yourself and are not permanently dependent on state social benefits.

 

– Since 1 January 2020, Norway generally permits dual citizenship. German immigrants can acquire Norwegian citizenship without having to give up their German citizenship. On the German side, the new regulation came into force on 27 June 2024.

The regular residence period of eight years can be shortened in certain special cases as follows:

– Spouses of Norwegian citizens: The waiting period is generally reduced to six years.

– Stateless persons and recognised refugees: Shorter periods of residence also apply to these groups.

– Former Norwegian citizens: They may also have facilitated access to re‑naturalisation.