Learning Norwegian

Norwegian is not always required to get a job, but it helps in almost every part of working life. There are two separate questions: what your job needs, and what the authorities require for a permanent permit or citizenship.

What your job needs

This depends on the employer and the role. Some international workplaces use English every day. Many roles, especially customer-facing jobs, safety-critical work and regulated professions, expect good Norwegian. Your JobsNorway assessment looks at how important English and Norwegian are for the occupations that fit you.

What the authorities require

• For a permanent residence permit, requirements for Norwegian language training or tests, and for social studies, apply. They depend on when you received your first residence permit and on your type of permit.
• For citizenship, you must document oral Norwegian skills and pass a knowledge test. The language requirements changed in 2025.
• The official test of Norwegian is the Norskprøven, and levels are described on the common European scale from A1 to C2.

Courses you have taken in the past may not count under newer rules, so check UDI before you pay for a course.

Where to learn

Municipalities offer Norwegian courses to many residence-permit holders, and whether a course is free or compulsory depends on your permit. Ny i Norge explains what applies, and private schools and online courses exist too. Start learning before you move if you can, because it makes the first months much easier.

Official sources

• UDI: language requirements for permanent residence
• Ny i Norge, the public information portal