Norway family immigration in 2026
Norway has national family-immigration rules for spouses, cohabitants, children and certain other relatives. These rules must be kept separate from the EU/EEA residence-card framework.
For many spouse and cohabitant applications, the reference person currently needs income of at least NOK 436,957 per year pre-tax, with a separate previous-income requirement. UDI currently shows NOK 409,972 as the relevant prior-year amount in the standard income guidance, subject to exceptions and transitional rules.
Many spouse and cohabitant categories include the 24-year rule. Cohabitants generally must have lived together for at least two years, unless they have or are expecting a child together and meet the other conditions.
Family immigration can be based on a Norwegian/Nordic citizen or on a foreign national holding a qualifying Norwegian residence status, including many skilled-worker and self-employed permits.
The exact work rights, residence-period consequences and income exemptions depend on the applicant/reference-person category. Family members of EU/EEA nationals may instead use the residence-card/free-movement rules.
Official guidance: UDI family immigration and UDI income requirement.
Related: EU/EEA residence, permanent residence, skilled work, Norway hub.
Official and supporting sources
- Official Norway source 1government · accessed 2026-09-20
- Official Norway source 2government · accessed 2026-09-20
- Official Norway source 3government · accessed 2026-09-20