How to get started

• Find out whether you need to pay yourself or if you are eligible for free language courses in your municipality.
• Choose a course (municipal, private or university).
• Try to use Norwegian in your daily life – a little bit every day.
• Take a Norwegian language tests.

Who has the right, the obligation or the right and obligation to receive tuition in the Norwegian language in Norway?  

Adult immigrants aged 18–67 may have the right, the obligation or the right and obligation to receive tuition in the Norwegian language. The regulations that apply depend on the type of residence permit you hold. If you are uncertain as to whether you have the right, the obligation or the right and obligation to receive tuition in the Norwegian language, you can ask your municipality.

Read more about your rights in the IMDi guide to the Integration Act

Your rights (lovdata.no)

Check the IMDi guide to the Integration Act or Lovdata for further details

Section 26 of the Integration Act (right + obligation)

Section 27 of the Integration Act (residence permits)

Section 28 of the Integration Act (obligation)

Why learn Norwegian?

Learning Norwegian will provide you with many benefits at work, in education and your everyday life. Many employers require employees to have Norwegian language skills, and it increases your chances of finding a job. It will also be easier to communicate with neighbours, colleagues, teachers and healthcare professionals, which will make your life and the integration process easier. Furthermore, Norwegian language skills are important for obtaining a permanent residence permit or Norwegian citizenship.

Language tests and Norwegian citizenship 

Requirement to pass Norwegian language and social studies tests to obtain Norwegian citizenship(udi.no)

Requirement to pass Norwegian language and social studies test to obtain permanent residence (udi.no)

Regulations on obtaining Norwegian citizenship (udi.no)

Norwegian language tests and documentation of Norwegian language skills

You can prove that you can have Norwegian language skills by taking a Norwegian language test. Passing the test is often a requirement for obtaining

• a permanent residence permit
• Norwegian citizenship

There are different levels of Norwegian language test ranging from A1 (beginner) to C1 (higher academic level).

Sign up - Norwegian language tests

Find out more about Norwegian language tests and how you can sign up for them (hkdir.no)

Find out more about the Norwegian language requirements necessary for Norwegian citizenship (udi.no)

How to learn Norwegian

You can learn Norwegian in a number of ways. 

Municipal Norwegian language tuition

Most municipalities have Norwegian language schools where you can take Norwegian language courses with or without public funding. You must contact the municipality in which you live to enrol.

Other formal Norwegian language courses 

You can also choose to take a course offered by another provider. Examples include:

• Folkeuniversitetet: offers Norwegian language courses at different levels.
• A university course: many universities offer Norwegian courses for international students and employees.
• Private language schools: for those wanting more intensive or flexible language tuition.

 An overview of approved private course providers is available on the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills website here

Apps and online course

Many schools and organisations offer online language courses. You can learn Norwegian at home and practice at your own pace. 

Useful online resources 

• Duolingo: free Bokmål courses.
• Memrise: courses at different levels.  
• NTNU – Norwegian on the Web (NOW): free online course.
• Kompis: allows you to practice your Norwegian in everyday life.
• NRK Radio/TV: programmes with easy-to-understand Norwegian.

Language practice and language cafés 

Many places offer free language learning through informal groups that allow you to practice with volunteers and other language learners.You will need to contact them yourself to find out how you can get involved.

Free Norwegian training

Language tuition with the Red Cross (website in Norwegian)

Språkvenn (Sanitetskvinnene) (website in Norwegian)

KIA Norway (website in Norwegian) 

Frivilligsentralen (website in Norwegian)

Find your local library

Norwegian in everyday life

• Use Norwegian in your everyday life.
• Set your phone and app language to Norwegian.
• Watch Norwegian TV series with Norwegian subtitles.
• Listen to Norwegian radio or podcasts on the way to work/school.
• Read simplified news or children books.
• Find a language buddy and speak regularly.