Family and children

Kindergarten is a voluntary, educational service for children up until school age. Most children in Norway go to kindergarten. 

In kindergarten, children are cared for by responsible adults and get to play, learn and take part in various social and cultural activities. Kindergarten is important for children’s linguistic and social development.

Contact the municipality where you live for more information about kindergarten and how to apply for a place for your child. 

In Norway, all children and young people aged 6–16 have a right and obligation to take primary and lower secondary education. This education is free of charge.

Children who come to Norway during the school year will be offered a place at a school as soon as possible. 

Compulsory education is divided into two main parts.

• Primary school: Years 1–7 (age 6–12)
• Lower secondary school: Years 8–10 (age 13–15)

Please contact the municipality where you live for more information about the education available for your child. 

SFO is a voluntary before and after-school programme where children can play and take part in cultural and leisure activities. Most municipalities have SFO programmes for all children in years 1–4, and for children with special needs in years 1–7. 

Contact the municipality or school for more information about the programme. 

Young people who have completed primary and lower secondary education in Norway can apply for admission to upper secondary education. This also applies to young people who have taken similar education in another country. 

Young people who have completed upper secondary school in another country, but whose education has not been recognised as a higher education entrance qualification or a vocational qualification in Norway are also entitled to upper secondary education. 

You can choose from several general studies and vocational programmes. You can find more detailed descriptions of the different education programmes at  www.vilbli.no.

Please contact your county authority for more information about upper secondary education and how you can apply.

More information about the education programmes.

All children have the right to a good, safe environment in kindergarten, education and SFO.  Children with a mother tongue other than Norwegian or Sami may also be entitled to adapted language tuition. Children and young people who do not benefit adequately from education may be entitled to special education.  

You can find more information about the Norwegian kindergarten and school system on the Directorate for Education and Training’s website. 

In Norway, you may be entitled to various forms of support when you have children. You can read more about the lump-sum grant and parental benefit on the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration’s (NAV) website. 

Read more about the lump-sum grant and parental benefit on the NAV website.

If you have children under 18, you may be entitled to child benefit. If you have been granted temporary collective protection, you will not as a rule meet the 12 months’ residence requirement. When your temporary collective protection is extended beyond the first 12 months, you will meet the requirement and can apply for child benefit.  

Read more about child benefit on NAV's website.

If you have children or are expecting a child, you will also receive parental guidance. Through this guidance, you will learn what it is like to be parent in Norway and what types of services are available for you and your children.