Who qualifies
- Likely NorwegianA parent who was Norwegian when you were bornIf it isn’t recorded in the National Population Register, you’ll need documents to prove it.
- Older rulesBorn before September 1, 2006 to an unmarried Norwegian father, or before July 1979 to a Norwegian mother married to a non-NorwegianYou may not have become Norwegian automatically at birth. The UDI explains the rules for each period.
- Usually notOnly a Norwegian grandparent or earlier ancestorThere’s no descent route through grandparents. Norwegian heritage alone isn’t enough.
The age 22 rule
If you became a dual citizen at birth and haven’t lived in Norway for at least 2 years, or in Nordic countries for at least 7 years, before turning 22, you must apply to keep your Norwegian citizenship before your 22nd birthday.
To keep it you normally need to have stayed in Norway for 6 months in total, which can be several short visits. If not, you may still keep it with a strong connection to Norway. Late applications are only accepted in exceptional cases. Parents apply for children under 18. Applying to keep citizenship is free.
If you turned 22 before September 1, 2006, older rules apply, so ask the UDI.
Proposed change: in June 2026 the Norwegian government proposed replacing the 6 months with a year of continuous, registered residence in Norway. It isn’t law yet, and there would be a 2-year transition.
How to apply
- Check you’re registered as NorwegianIf not, gather documents showing your parent was Norwegian when you were born. You need a Norwegian personal number before you can apply for a passport.
- Apply for a Norwegian passportBook an appointment at a Norwegian embassy or consulate and go in person. In the US it costs NOK 1,290 (US$129) for anyone 16 or over.
- If you were born abroad with dual citizenship, apply to keep it before 22Through the UDI, unless you’ve lived in Norway or the Nordic countries long enough.
Documents
- Your full birth certificate, showing your parents’ names
- Proof your parent was Norwegian when you were born
- Your parents’ marriage certificate, if relevant
- Your parent’s US naturalization certificate, if they became American
- Your current passport
For UK, Irish and US certificates, see where to order certificates.
Common questions
Can I keep my American passport?
Yes. Norway has allowed dual citizenship since January 1, 2020.
My great-grandparents emigrated from Norway. Is there any route?
No descent route, unfortunately. Norwegian citizenship passes from parent to child. Living in Norway and naturalizing is the usual way otherwise.
My parent lost Norwegian citizenship by becoming American. Does that matter?
If they lost it before you were born, you didn’t inherit it. Former Norwegians who lost citizenship by becoming citizens elsewhere can still get it back by notification under a scheme that began in 2020 (fee NOK 3,200). Ask the UDI how that affects you.
Does a Norwegian passport let me live in the EU?
Yes. Norway isn’t in the EU, but through the European Economic Area agreement Norwegians can live and work across the EU, plus Iceland and Liechtenstein, and in Switzerland through the EFTA Convention.
What a Norwegian passport gives you
The right to live and work in Norway, and across the EU, Iceland and Liechtenstein through the European Economic Area agreement, and in Switzerland through the EFTA Convention. See what an EU passport lets you do.
Living there
A Norwegian passport lets you live and work in Norway, and across the EU, Iceland and Liechtenstein through the European Economic Area agreement, and in Switzerland through the EFTA Convention.
Not eligible? The long way round
If descent doesn’t work for you, you can still become a citizen by living in Norway and applying to naturalize. It takes longer, but it’s open to anyone who meets the conditions.
- Time living there first
- 8 of the last 11 years, or 6 of the last 10 with a high enough income.
- Language and tests
- Spoken Norwegian at B1 level and the citizenship test.
- Keep your current passport?
- Yes. Norway has allowed dual citizenship since 2020.
- Main ways to get residence
- Skilled worker permits, family and study.
Already have, or able to get, a passport from an EU country through another family line? Then you can live and work in Norway without a visa. See what an EU passport lets you do.
General information, not immigration advice. Residence rules change often, so check the official source before you plan a move. Sources: UDI: citizenship for people with a residence permit in Norway.