Guides · updated July 2026
What level of Norwegian do you need?
The short answer: A2 for permanent residence, B1 for citizenship— and since 2025, it's the oral exam that decides it. Here's exactly what that means.
| Requirement | Permanent residence | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Oral level required | A2 | B1 |
| Which exam | Norskprøven muntlig | Norskprøven muntlig |
| Written test needed? | No (removed in 2025) | No |
| Reading / listening needed? | No | No |
| Course-hours route? | No longer accepted | No longer accepted |
| Social studies test too? | Yes | Yes |
Rules change and individual situations vary — always confirm the current requirements on the official UDI and HK-dir pages.
Permanent residence: A2
To get permanent residence (permanent oppholdstillatelse) you must pass Norskprøven muntlig at A2. At A2 you can talk about familiar, everyday things in simple sentences — yourself, your family, your work, your daily life. Since 1 September 2025 the oral pass stands on its own: the old written requirement was removed, and completed language-course hours no longer count as proof.
Citizenship: B1
For Norwegian citizenship (statsborgerskap) the bar is higher: Norskprøven muntlig at B1. At B1 you can do everything A2 asks and more — give opinions with reasons, discuss, and keep a real conversation going. This B1 requirement has applied to applications submitted since 1 October 2022. If documented health issues or other weighty reasons stop you from reaching B1, there is a route via A2 or an exemption — UDI assesses this individually.
The 2025 shift
Why speaking is now the whole game
The big change is what doesn'tcount anymore. For residence and citizenship there's no separate written test to fall back on, and you can't prove your Norwegian just by attending classes. It comes down to one short spoken exam. That makes deliberate speaking practice — rehearsing the real exam tasks until they're automatic — the highest-leverage thing you can do.
The only language test — but not the only box to tick
Here's the key point: Norskprøven muntlig is the only Norwegian-language test you need. There's no written language exam and no second speaking test — pass this one, at A2 for residence or B1 for citizenship, and your Norwegian is proven. The other requirements simply aren't about language: residence and citizenship also need the social studies test (samfunnskunnskapsprøven) — a separate knowledge test about Norwegian society, not a language test — plus general conditions like time lived in Norway and, for residence, an income requirement. Treat this guide as the language piece and check UDI for the full checklist.
There are also exemptions from the language requirement — for example on documented health grounds, age, or limited formal schooling — which UDI assesses individually.
Common questions
What level of Norwegian do I need for permanent residence in Norway?+
For permanent residence you need to pass the oral Norwegian exam (Norskprøven muntlig) at level A2. Since 1 September 2025 this oral pass is the language requirement on its own — the separate written test is no longer required, and completed course hours no longer count as proof. Always confirm the current rules with UDI.
What level of Norwegian do I need for Norwegian citizenship?+
For citizenship you generally need to pass the oral Norwegian exam at level B1. This B1 requirement has applied to applications submitted on or after 1 October 2022. If weighty reasons — such as documented health issues — prevent you from reaching B1, there is a route via A2 or an exemption; check UDI for your situation.
What is the difference between A2 and B1?+
A2 means you can describe and tell — talk about familiar, everyday things in simple, connected sentences. B1 means you can also express and justify opinions, discuss and reason on everyday topics, and hold a two-way conversation. A2 is the bar for permanent residence; B1 is the higher bar for citizenship.
What else do I need for permanent residence besides the language test?+
The A2 oral exam is the only language test — there's no written or second speaking test. The other requirements aren't about language: the social studies test (samfunnskunnskapsprøven), a separate knowledge test about Norwegian society, and general conditions like having lived in Norway for the last three years and meeting an income requirement. These vary by case, so confirm the full checklist with UDI.
Do I still need to pass a written Norwegian test?+
Not for permanent residence or citizenship. As of 2025 the requirement is the oral test only — A2 for residence, B1 for citizenship. There is no separate reading, listening or writing requirement for these two purposes. Other purposes (like some studies or jobs) may still ask for written proof, so check what your specific situation requires.
Which Norwegian test counts?+
The standard test is Norskprøven, administered by HK-dir, which reports levels from below A1 up to B2. Higher-level academic tests such as Test i norsk – høyere nivå (the Bergen test) are also generally accepted where a higher level is proven. For residence and citizenship, passing Norskprøven muntlig at the required level is the usual route.
This guide reflects publicly available information at the time of writing (July 2026) and is not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change and depend on your individual case — always confirm current rules directly with UDI and HK-dir. Norskprøven.ai is an independent practice tool, not affiliated with HK-dir or UDI.