
Norway is considered one of the most family-friendly countries in Europe. To support families and ensure financial security for children, the country provides various child benefits (Barnetrygd) not only to its own citizens, but also to foreign workers who live or work in Norway.
Parents may be entitled to child benefits in Norway when one parent works or has worked in Norway and the other parent lives with the child in a European Economic Area (EEA) country. In such cases, families may receive full or partial payments.
There are three main types of child-related benefits in Norway, depending on your family situation:
This benefit is paid for all children up to the age of 18. The current amount is 1968 NOK (around €180) per month per child.
This benefit is paid to single parents raising children up to the age of 18. The payment amount is approximately 2516 NOK (around €230) per month.
This benefit applies to children aged 13 to 19 months who do not attend kindergarten or attend less than 32 hours per week. One of the parents must work in Norway.
The maximum payment period is 7 months, and the maximum amount is 7500 NOK (around €690) per month.
To apply for child benefits in Norway, you will usually need the following documents:
If you stop working in Norway, you must inform NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration). If you no longer work in the country, you usually lose entitlement to child benefits.
If payments continue after your eligibility ends, NAV may treat these amounts as an overpayment that must be repaid.
If both parents live together, the benefit is usually paid to the mother. If one parent stays in Norway and the other lives with the child in an EEA country, payments are made to the parent with whom the child lives.
More information about child benefits can be found here: child benefits in Norway .