What is the registration scheme?
The registration scheme allows EEA nationals to live in Norway and for example work without applying for a residence permit, as long as they register with the police.
In is the Norwegian police which administer this scheme.
If you as a EEA national wish to stay in Norway for more than three months, you must have a basis for residence and you must register with the police. You must have a valid identity card or passport, and also document that you will not be a burden to public welfare services.
Who must register?
You must register if you are an EEA national and are going to stay in Norway for more than three months and belong to one of these 6 categories:
- you are an employee
- you are self-employed
- you are a service provider
- you are a student
- you have sufficient funds (own funds and periodic benefits, e.g. pension) and health insurance covering all risks
- you are a member of an EEA national’s family and you are an EEA national
Information for other family members
- If you are a EEA national and a family member of a Norwegian national, you can choose between applying for family immigration, or register independently as an EEA national if you belong to one of the categories 1–5.
- If you are not an EEA national yourself, but you have a family member who are an EEA national, you should apply for a residence card.
- If you are not an EEA national, but are a family member of a Norwegian national and you have lived together in another EEA country, you can choose between applying for family immigration or a residence card. If you wish to apply for a residence card you must fulfill these criteria:
1. You have had an established family life with the Norwegian national in another EU/EEA/EFTA country, and
2. your family member has exercised his/her right to free movement (been an employee, self-employed, service provider, had sufficient funds or student) there, and
3. you have now moved to Norway together.
How to register?
You register online and subsequently meet in person at your nearest police station to identify yourself and present the documents that are relevant for your basis for residence.
If you live in a district with a Service Centre for Foreign Workers you need to meet in person here.
If the conditions for registration is met, you will be issued a registration certificate. This certificate is issued free of charge and is valid indefinitely (does not need to be renewed). However, you can apply fora permanent right of residence after five years.
Duty to report for job seekers
EEA nationals who are job seekers in Norway must register with the police within three months after entry. It is a requirement that you are registered as a job seeker with NAV. This requirement is for those who have previously been employed in Norway and are now unemployed ( lay-offs,illness, etc). If you have not been employed in Norway before and you are now seeking employment, you only need to be registered at the police.
You can also sign up as a job seeker through the online registration portal and then go to the police for ID control. You then have the right to stay in Norway for six months. You will not currently receive a written confirmation that you are registered as a job seeker. Once you have a job, or other grounds for residence, you are obliged to register. You must then meet again at the police to show the documentation listed below:
What documentation do you need to register?
Documentation requirements depend on what you are going to do in Norway.
Employees must enclose:
- a valid identity card or passport
- ansettelsesbevis (employment certificate which is filled in by your employer) or employment contract that is in accordance with the provisions of the Working Environment Act
Self-employed persons must enclose:
- a valid identity card or passport
- proof that you are self-employed. You can prove that you are self-employed by different combinations of the following documents:
Persons with sufficient funds must enclose:
- a valid identity card or passport
- documentation that you have enough money to support yourself and your family (e.g. pension or savings)
- private health insurance or European health insurance card
Students must enclose:
- a valid identity card or passport
- confirmation of admission to an approved educational institution
- private health insurance or European health insurance card
- personal declaration stating that they have sufficient funds (finances) to support themselves
Service providers and business starters must enclose:
- a valid identity card or passport
- employment contract with your employer abroad
- documentation from client in Norway or employer in another EEA country confirming assignment and its duration ( the service must be of a temporary nature)
Family members of EEA nationals who are themselves EEA nationals must enclose:
- a valid identity card or passport
- documentation of the family relationship, e.g. marriage certificate, partnership certificate or birth certificate
- registration certificate/documentation of the basis for residence of the EEA national that you came to Norway with or wish to be reunited with
Read more about family immigration with EEA-citizens
Who is considered as a family member?
- Spouse/partner
- Cohabitant - you must both be over 18 years of age, have lived together in a permanent and established cohabitation relationship for at least two years and intend to continue living together in Norway. Neither of you can be married to other people.
- Cohabitant who has or is expecting a child with the person in Norway with an EEA national with right of residence in Norway, although you have not lived together for two years.
- Children or grandchildren etc below the age of 21.
Children, grandchildren etc. above the age of 21 may also be included if they are supported by the EEA national who is the sponsor.
- Parents, grandparents etc. who are supported by the EEA national who is the sponsor. EEA nationals who are students are not entitled to family reunification with parents or grandparents.
- Foster child under the age of 21 with known identity. The child must also be an established member of the EEA national’s (sponsor's) household and the authorities in the home country must confirm that he/she can settle in Norway. Subsistence and health insurance covering all risks must be documented.
- Full siblings under the age of 18 with known identities. They must not have parents or care providers in the home country. The Norwegian child welfare authorities must, as a rule, have approved the sponsor as care provider. Subsistence and health insurance covering all risks must be documented.
- Fiancés who are going to marry an EEA national in Norway who has right of residence. The fiancé’s right of residence is only valid for six months and it must be likely that marriage will be entered into during this period. Subsistence and health insurance covering all risks must be documented.
- People in need of nursing who document serious health problems and that they can only be nursed and cared for by the sponsor. It is a requirement that the person in need of nursing has no other family members that can care for them in the home country. Subsistence and health insurance covering all risks must be documented.
In addition, the police can issue a registration certificate to other family members that are supported financially by the person in Norway, or belong to his or her houshold in the home counrty. this must be documented.
You can not appeal the decision
If you do not receive a proof of registration, you cannot appeal the decison. You can, however, choose to register at a later date if you meet the requirements and are able to enclose the necessary documents.
Further information?
If you have further questions about this topic, contact your nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate, your local police office or the Information Service for Applicants.
