Democracy
Norway is a democracy. This means that the people choose who will govern them, and that the people choose representatives to the Storting – the Norwegian parliament – and for the county and municipal authorities.
To vote in the Norwegian national (Storting) election, you must be a Norwegian national. To vote in the local and county election, you must have been registered in the Norwegian Population register for three years. Norway is a monarchy, but the King has no real power. The Storting and the government are the most powerful political bodies in the country.
Norway has a two-tier system of local government. Elections are held to select representatives to regional County Councils and local District Councils. All Norwegian citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote at general elections (to the Storting), but voting is not compulsory.
Even though you are not a Norwegian citizen you are entitled to vote at County Council and District Council elections, provided that you have been resident in Norway for the three years prior to election day.
The Constitution
The Constitution is the most important law in Norway. It sets out who is to govern the country and how it is to be governed. The Constitution also sets out the fundamental rights of those who live in Norway.
Division of power
In Norway, power is divided between three institutions: the Storting (parliament) that legislates, the Government that executes those laws, and the Judiciary (courts) that enforces the law. Power is divided into three branches so that they can balance each other and ensure that no one branch of government can abuse its powers for its own advantage.
Rule of law
No one may be imprisoned without trial. Laws and regulations ensure that the rights of Norway's inhabitants are upheld. The laws set out the duties of each person residing in Norway. Only the courts have the power to punish people. This is called the rule of law.
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is very important in a democracy. Freedom of speech means that no one may be persecuted because of what they say or think. Everyone has a right to express their own opinions about conditions in society. There are more than one hundred newspapers in Norway, as well as several television and radio channels. Journalists often criticise the government, other public bodies and people with power in Norway. An independent media is important in a democracy.
Religious freedom
While the Church of Norway is the established church in Norway, everyone has the right to practice their own religion. Religious freedom also means the right not to be religious. Religion has little influence on political and social life in Norway. Most people consider religion and faith to be a private matter.
Equality and equal rights
In Norway, it is not permitted to discriminate against someone on the grounds of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. Women and men are of equal status and must be accorded equal rights in all areas of society. Gender equality means that women and men have the same opportunities, rights and obligations, at home, in the workplace, in politics and elsewhere in society.
The welfare state
The Norwegian state ensures that no one starves or lacks an education, medical treatment, clothing or housing. A system like this is called a welfare state. The local and central government authorities allocate money for schools, hospitals, road-building, pensions, social services and other purposes. The money comes from direct and indirect taxes paid by the country's inhabitants. Every time you buy something, a portion of what you have paid goes to the government. The government also earns money from oil production and other business activities. Many important companies are owned by the Norwegian state.
Tax
Everyone in Norway pays tax on what they earn. The people who earn most pay the most in tax, while those who earn least pay the least tax. Tax revenues enable the government to provide us with a variety of welfare services and benefits. For example, the asylum reception centre where you are living, the school that your children go to and the hospital at which you may receive treatment are all paid for out of the taxes everyone in Norway pays.
Because taxes pay for public services that benefit everybody, it is important that everyone who earns money contributes their share by paying tax. If you do not pay the tax that you owe, you could be given a fine, be sent to prison or have to pay a punitive tax assessment.
In order to get a job in Norway you must either have a Norwegian personal identity number or a Norwegian work permit. You will be given a personal identity number if you are granted a residence permit. You must also obtain a tax card if you undertake paid work in Norway. The card indicates how much tax should be deducted from your wages. You can get a tax card from your local tax office.
Wages are tax-free if you earn less than NOK 1,000 from each employer. You must also pay tax on what you earn while you are participating in the Introduction Scheme (see Chapter 7). You must notify your reception centre if you get a job and earn money. Your local tax office will be able to tell you more about working and tax in Norway.
Children's rights
Children have clear and important rights. They have the right to food, housing, medical care, clothes and an education. They have the right to think and believe what they want and to get the best help society can give them. Children have the right to be heard in all matters that affect them. The weight given to a child's opinion shall be proportional to his/her age and level of maturity. The Norwegian authorities are responsible for ensuring that the rights of all children in Norway are upheld. The state shall protect all children against all kinds of abuse. Children who are not together with their families have the right to additional protection and help. The state shall help children who are seeking asylum and work to reunite them with their families.
Upbringing
Parents shall bring up their children in a way that takes care of the child's interests and needs. Children shall be taught how Norwegian society works. Children shall also be taught to understand the meaning of human rights and equality. It is illegal to hit children or in any other way physically punish children, regardless of the reason. It is also illegal to mentally abuse a child.
Children and work
Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to take paid work. After their thirteenth birthday, children may undertake light work, e.g. delivering newspapers. The work must not affect the child's safety, health or development, nor should any job negatively affect his/her schoolwork.
Child Welfare Service
The task of the Child Welfare Service is to help children who are in a difficult situation. In Norway, the Child Welfare Service may intervene if it feels that a child is at risk. Usually Child Welfare Officers will offer guidance to parents to enable them to look after their children. In the most serious cases, where the child's health or safety is at risk, the Child Welfare Service may have to place the child with a foster family or in a children's home. The aim is to make sure that the child is well looked after, either residing with his/her parents or in the care of the Child Welfare Service. Ask the staff at your reception centre if you have any questions about the Child Welfare Service.
Family life
People in Norway can live with whomever they wish as long as they are over the age of 18. Many people live alone. Some people are single parents, some live with a partner of the same sex, while others live with friends. You can get married or register as partners with the authorities – or you can simply live together. Homosexual couples in Norway can live together as unregistered or registered partners.
Marriage
Men and women must be 18 years old in order to marry. Everyone has the right to choose who they will marry. No one in Norway can be forced or pressured into marriage, nor may children and teenagers be sent out of the country to be married by force. If a marriage has occurred under pressure, then family reunification will not be permitted. A forced marriage may also be declared invalid in Norway. Legal proceedings for annulment must be instigated no later than six months after the forced marriage was entered into. It is illegal in Norway to have more than one spouse. It is a criminal offence to get married if you are already married and the first marriage has not been formally dissolved.
Divorce
Both men and women have the right to divorce. If one spouse no longer wishes to be married to the other, he/she must first request a formal separation (the waiting period before a divorce is finalised). When the couple have been separated for at least one year, either party can demand a divorce. The couple may not live together during the period of separation. If the couple have lived together for less than two years, the parties can demand a divorce without any separation period. If the couple wanting the divorce have children, they must attend family counselling sessions before they can apply for a divorce.
It is possible to have a marriage annulled by court order without a separation period if one spouse has subjected the other to serious abuse or attempted to kill them, or threatened them with violence or abuse.
Violence
Violence and threats against family members are not permitted in Norway. There are 50 domestic violence shelters spread throughout the country. These shelters accept women and children who have been physically abused and feel threatened. You do not need a referral to seek refuge at or contact one of these shelters.
