Child benefits in Norway. Everything you need to know.
You just had a baby? Maybe you are waiting for his arrival? The social welfare system for families with children is attractive in Norway. Parents are entitled to high child benefits, which are worth applying for. Find out what benefits you can apply for and what you are entitled to.
Find out how to get parental, pregnancy and baby benefits.
Family allowance
If you have a child under the age of 18, one of the basic benefits you can apply for is family allowance (or Barnetrygd). NAV is responsible for making decisions and its payment. The allowance amounts to NOK 970 per month for each child. Importantly, you can apply for a compensation payment up to 3 years back.
What conditions do you have to meet?
There are three conditions you must meet to apply for this benefit. Above all you earn income subject to social security contributions in Norway. Qualified benefits include those earned under an employment contract, running a business or receiving benefits such as parental benefits, sickness benefits, rehabilitation benefits, care benefits and unemployment benefits.
In addition, you must pay social security contributions in Norway. It is also obligatory to have permanent registration with a child who is up to the age of 18.
Necessary documents
You are required to attach the following documents to your child benefit application:
- birth certificate of the child or children
- marriage certificate (not required, the benefit can be obtained by persons in single relationships or single parents)
- documents confirming employment - it may be a contract of employment or a balance sheet from an accountant in the case of running a business
- documents confirming registration in Norway or a residence permit in that country
- all pay slips - if the employee is applying for benefits
- lonnsonppgave for the entire previous tax year
- identification
IMPORTANT
If you are a single person caring for children, you are entitled to a child benefit supplement of NOK 970, which is paid monthly. It is a permanent allowance, and its amount does not change depending on how many children you have.
Care allowance
If you take care of a child aged 1 to 2 years, you are additionally entitled to apply for care allowance. As in the case of child benefit, for recognizing the validity of and the payment of this benefit corresponds to the Norwegian NAV. In this case, you can also get compensation, but only up to 3 months back. The amount of this benefit is NOK 7 per child.
By requirements
To qualify for care allowance, you must meet all of the following criteria:
– achieving income in Norway, which is covered by social security contributions. This income may be obtained under an employment contract, running a business or receiving equivalent benefits
- while social security contributions are paid in Norway
- membership in the social security system in Norway for at least 5 years. However, if the applicant belonged to an equivalent system in an EEA country, this is also taken into account
- permanent registration with children for whom you are applying for care allowance
- children or a child must stay with the other parent on a permanent basis or attend a nursery for which funding has not been obtained
Child benefits in Norway. Everything you need to know. IMPORTANT
The allowance is not granted when the child attends a nursery covered by state funding. However, if he or she stays there for less than 20 hours a week, care allowance may be paid, but it is proportionally lower.
What documents do you need?
To be entitled to care allowance, you will need the same documents as when applying for family benefit. They are as follows:
- birth certificate of the child or children
- marriage certificate (not required, the benefit can be obtained by persons in single relationships or single parents)
- documents confirming employment - it may be a contract of employment or a balance sheet from an accountant in the case of running a business
- documents confirming registration in Norway or a residence permit in that country
- all pay slips - if the employee is applying for benefits
- lonnsonppgave for the entire previous tax year
- identification
Such an application is examined over a period ranging from 12 to 24 months.
