To whom does this apply?
The following information only applies to Norwegian citizens who:
- Acquired Norwegian citizenship at birth abroad, or
- Were born abroad, but were granted Norwegian citizenship on the basis of a so-called notification from mother after 30 June 1979, and
- Reached the age of 22 before 1 September 2006.
Which rules apply?
Although the rules have now been changed, the question of loss of citizenship will have to be considered on the basis of previous legislation. Pursuant to the Nationality Act of 1950, Norwegian citizens lost their citizenship on reaching the age of 22 if, until that time, they had:
- Never lived in Norway, or
- Never had stays in Norway that indicated a connection with the country.
Residence period
In order to avoid loss of citizenship, the following residence requirements had to be fulfilled:
- Under the age of 12 when becoming resident in Norway: at least two years
- Over the age of 12 when becoming resident in Norway: At least six months of school or work, or
- At least seven years’ residence in Denmark, Finland, Iceland or Sweden (regardless of age).
Stays in Norway
In order for persons who had never lived in Norway not to lose their citizenship, the following requirements regarding stays in Norway had to be met:
- Annual holiday stays with a duration of between one and two months,
- Some holiday stays and one or more longer stays after reaching the age of 12, or
- Completed military service.
Application for retention of citizenship
Persons who did not meet the requirements relating to residence period or stays could apply to keep their citizenship and avoid losing it on reaching the age of 22. It was a requirement that the application was submitted before the applicant reached the age of 22. If the application was granted, a so-called retention order was issued. If the applicant met the requirements relating to residence or stays, so that no application was required, a confirmation of Norwegian citizenship was issued.
If the parent from whom the applicant derived his/her Norwegian citizenship was born abroad, the applicant had to have approximately the same kind of connection as mentioned under the paragraphs about residence periods and stays in Norway. This also applied if the parent from whom the applicant derived his/her Norwegian citizenship had become a Norwegian citizen by notification or by order.
Persons who have neither met the requirements relating to residence or stays before reaching the age of 22 nor applied for and been granted a retention order, lose their Norwegian citizenship.
The importance of statelessness
In 2001, the act was amended so that a Norwegian citizen born abroad does not lose his/her citizenship on reaching the age of 22 if this would leave him/her stateless. This amendment came into force on 1 October 2001.
From this date, a Norwegian citizen born abroad will only lose his/her Norwegian citizenship on reaching the age of 22 if he/she is also a citizen of another country. Norwegian citizens who only hold Norwegian citizenship no longer lose their citizenships.
For persons who reached the age of 22 before 1 October 2001 it did not matter whether the loss left them stateless.
