https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Norway in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Becoming a citizen of Norway opens up numerous opportunities, and one of the main questions new Norwegian citizens often have is whether they need to obtain a Norwegian passport. https://www.thelocal.no/20231113/do-you-need-to-get-a-norwegian-passport-after-obtaining-citizenship Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:34:25 +0100 do-you-need-to-get-a-norwegian-passport-after-obtaining-citizenship Norwegian citizenship is often lauded as a fantastic option with very few negatives. So, what are the potential downsides? https://www.thelocal.no/20230317/reader-question-are-there-any-downsides-to-norwegian-citizenship Fri, 17 Mar 2023 16:13:27 +0100 reader-question-are-there-any-downsides-to-norwegian-citizenship When applying for Norwegian residence or citizenship, you can sometimes be left with a long and frustrating wait for an answer. So, are there any ways applicants can check the progress of their applications? https://www.thelocal.no/20250326/can-you-track-the-progress-of-your-norwegian-residence-and-citizenship-applications Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:53:56 +0100 can-you-track-the-progress-of-your-norwegian-residence-and-citizenship-applications Data reveals that the pass rates for Norway's citizenship and social studies tests vary hugely around the country. https://www.thelocal.no/20260220/how-hard-is-it-to-pass-norways-citizenship-and-social-studies-tests Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:53:37 +0100 how-hard-is-it-to-pass-norways-citizenship-and-social-studies-tests Norwegian citizenship comes with a hefty application fee and plenty of requirements. There are several reasons why the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration might reject an application. https://www.thelocal.no/20231130/why-norway-might-refuse-a-citizenship-application Thu, 30 Nov 2023 13:57:38 +0100 why-norway-might-refuse-a-citizenship-application Since Norway moved to allow dual citizenship, the number of those applying to become Norwegian has sky-rocketed. These are the key advantages of becoming a Norwegian citizen. https://www.thelocal.no/20200922/five-advantages-of-gaining-norwegian-citizenship Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:59:00 +0200 five-advantages-of-gaining-norwegian-citizenship One of the requirements to become a citizen in Norway is to pass either the social studies or the citizenship test. The Local has put together some advice on how to best prepare. https://www.thelocal.no/20240813/how-to-prepare-for-norways-citizenship-and-social-studies-exams Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:49:26 +0200 how-to-prepare-for-norways-citizenship-and-social-studies-exams Norwegian by birth, language, or behavior? Recent data shows how national identity is evolving and what people think about integration in Norway. https://www.thelocal.no/20260210/what-does-it-mean-as-a-foreigner-to-feel-norwegian-in-2026 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:43:12 +0100 what-does-it-mean-as-a-foreigner-to-feel-norwegian-in-2026 You've filed all your paperwork and found out that you've been granted Norwegian citizenship. Now what? https://www.thelocal.no/20231211/what-happens-after-you-are-granted-norwegian-citizenship Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:33:56 +0100 what-happens-after-you-are-granted-norwegian-citizenship A Norwegian passport comes with many benefits, and the country allows dual citizenship. So, what are the rules for the children of foreign nationals born in Norway? https://www.thelocal.no/20220324/do-children-born-in-norway-qualify-for-citizenship Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:30:19 +0100 do-children-born-in-norway-qualify-for-citizenship Failure to provide fully accurate details when submitting an application for Norwegian residence or citizenship can later result in it being stripped by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). https://www.thelocal.no/20230419/how-norwegian-authorities-can-revoke-residence-over-wrong-details Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:58:28 +0200 how-norwegian-authorities-can-revoke-residence-over-wrong-details Norwegian citizenship is an attractive proposition, especially as dual citizenship is allowed. What are the rules for becoming a Norwegian citizen or resident if your relatives are from Norway? https://www.thelocal.no/20231013/reader-question-can-you-be-granted-norwegian-citizenship-through-ancestry Fri, 13 Oct 2023 17:15:25 +0200 reader-question-can-you-be-granted-norwegian-citizenship-through-ancestry Becoming a Norwegian citizen comes with a number of great advantages. However the route to getting a passport is a long one. So, is there any way of cutting down the years you'll need to live in Norway to be eligible? https://www.thelocal.no/20220830/are-there-any-ways-to-fast-track-norwegian-citizenship Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:00:55 +0200 are-there-any-ways-to-fast-track-norwegian-citizenship It’s a long road to Norwegian citizenship. Thankfully, The Local’s readers have shared their insights on what to expect from the process and their motivations for applying. https://www.thelocal.no/20240805/how-hard-is-it-to-apply-for-norwegian-citizenship Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:49:46 +0200 how-hard-is-it-to-apply-for-norwegian-citizenship When handing in documents as part of a Norwegian citizenship application, some, but not all, of the paperwork will have its validity expire if too long has passed since it was issued. https://www.thelocal.no/20240808/reader-question-which-paperwork-for-norwegian-citizenship-can-expire Thu, 08 Aug 2024 17:15:46 +0200 reader-question-which-paperwork-for-norwegian-citizenship-can-expire For whatever reason, you may apply for Norwegian citizenship and then need to leave the country. Here’s what the rules say. https://www.thelocal.no/20231228/reader-question-can-i-apply-for-norwegian-citizenship-and-then-leave-the-country Thu, 28 Dec 2023 16:08:06 +0100 reader-question-can-i-apply-for-norwegian-citizenship-and-then-leave-the-country Due to the many requirements, applying for Norwegian citizenship is far from straightforward. However, those approaching their advanced years may have an easier time of things. https://www.thelocal.no/20240917/why-norwegian-citizenship-can-be-easier-to-obtain-as-you-get-older Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:02:56 +0200 why-norwegian-citizenship-can-be-easier-to-obtain-as-you-get-older People applying for Norwegian citizenship or a permanent residence permit will need to prove their language skills by passing a test. Given there are only a few opportunities to take these exams per year, being organised pays off. https://www.thelocal.no/20250219/how-to-organise-your-language-test-for-norwegian-citizenship-or-permanent-residence Wed, 19 Feb 2025 13:45:43 +0100 how-to-organise-your-language-test-for-norwegian-citizenship-or-permanent-residence Obtaining Norwegian citizenship is a challenging but worthwhile process. Here are six interesting facts you might not know about becoming Norwegian. https://www.thelocal.no/20230913/six-surprising-norwegian-citizenship-rules-you-should-know-about Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:05:15 +0200 six-surprising-norwegian-citizenship-rules-you-should-know-about Learners of Norwegian will have to reach different levels depending on their jobs or whether they want to become a Norwegian citizen or get a residency permit. Here's what those levels mean in reality. https://www.thelocal.no/20250620/a1-to-c2-what-do-the-different-levels-of-norwegian-mean-for-language-learners Fri, 20 Jun 2025 19:28:23 +0200 a1-to-c2-what-do-the-different-levels-of-norwegian-mean-for-language-learners