NAV benefits in Norway: overview and how to apply

Published 2026-10-31

NAV is the Norwegian agency that pays most financial support: social assistance, unemployment benefit, sickness benefit and child benefits. You usually apply online after logging in with ID-porten, and you follow your case on My page (Min side). This guide gives an overview of the main benefits, who can get them and how to apply.

What is NAV and which benefits matter most?

These are the benefits most relevant for many newcomers:

• Financial social assistance (økonomisk sosialhjelp): temporary support when you cannot cover necessary expenses yourself.
• Unemployment benefit (dagpenger): money when you are unemployed or temporarily laid off.
• Work assessment allowance (arbeidsavklaringspenger, AAP): income while you need treatment or help from NAV because of illness or injury.
• Sickness benefit (sykepenger): replaces your income when you cannot work because of illness or injury.
• Child benefit (barnetrygd): a fixed monthly amount per child under 18.
• Cash-for-care benefit (kontantstøtte): support for families with toddlers who do not have a full-time kindergarten place.

How do I log in and follow my cases?

NAV uses ID-porten, the shared login for public digital services. When you select “Logg inn” (log in) or “Min side”, you land on ID-porten and choose a login method.

• You need a valid electronic ID, for example BankID.
• ID-porten has a link, “Slik skaffer du deg elektronisk ID” (how to get an electronic ID), listing your options.
• If you have no electronic ID, some services have a paper alternative (for example sickness benefit). Ask NAV about your situation.
• Once logged in you can apply, send missing documents and follow your case.

For help, call NAV on 55 55 33 33 (option 1 for private individuals; open weekdays 9–15 when checked).

How do I get social assistance (økonomisk sosialhjelp)?

Everyone has the right to apply and have their needs assessed. As a main rule you must be legally resident in Norway, and you are not entitled to it while staying abroad.

• You may get help when all other income options are used and still fall short.
• The application is assessed individually, based on your expenses and income. You apply to the NAV office (Nav-kontor) in the municipality where you live.
• Municipalities have guideline rates for living costs, so amounts can vary. See the current state guideline rates at nav.no/okonomisk-sosialhjelp.
• In an emergency (food, an electricity bill about to be cut off), say so in the application (nødhjelp).
• You have the right to information, advice and guidance even if you are not entitled to the money.
• Spouses have a mutual duty to support each other, so the household’s total finances are assessed.

How do I get unemployment benefit (dagpenger)?

According to NAV, all of this must apply:

• You have lost at least 50 percent of your working hours and your income, fully or partly.
• You earned a minimum income over the last 12 or 36 months (the amount is tied to the National Insurance basic amount, “G”, which changes every year; check nav.no/dagpenger).
• You are under 67, live in Norway and are a member of the National Insurance Scheme (folketrygden).
• You register as a job seeker, send an employment status form (meldekort) every 14 days and are genuinely seeking work.

Important: apply about two weeks before your last day of paid work. The earliest you can receive benefit is the day you submit the application and register as a job seeker. The benefit is 62.4 percent of your previous income up to a ceiling; calculate it at nav.no/dagpenger. It is paid after you get a decision, backdated to the day you became entitled. It is taxable, so change your tax card (skattekort) if needed (see the tax card guide).

If you quit without a reasonable cause, you may get no benefit for the first 18 weeks. You still need to apply, and NAV will assess it.

What is AAP and who can get it?

AAP gives you income when you need help from NAV because of illness or injury. As a main rule all of this applies:

• Your ability to work is reduced by at least 50 percent due to illness or injury.
• You need treatment to improve it, or help from NAV to keep or find a job.
• You have been a National Insurance member continuously for at least 5 years when you apply.
• You are aged 18 to 67.

You must apply yourself, and normally AAP starts at the earliest on the day you apply. If you are entitled to sickness benefit, you usually have to use it up first. The amount is based on your earlier income with a minimum rate. Use the calculator at nav.no/aap.

How do I get sickness benefit (sykepenger)?

General conditions: National Insurance membership (or an EU/EEA citizen working in Norway), under 70, a sick note (sykmelding) from a doctor or other approved practitioner, at least 20 percent off sick, and work that gives pensionable income.

• Employees must have worked at least four weeks right before falling ill and meet a minimum annual income. The employer usually pays the first 16 days (the employer period).
• Tell your employer as soon as possible and see a doctor. The main rule is to apply within three months.
• You can receive sickness benefit for a maximum of 52 weeks. After that you may be entitled to AAP or disability benefit.
• There are restrictions if you travel abroad while sick, so ask NAV first.

What are child benefit and cash-for-care benefit?

Child benefit: a fixed monthly amount per child under 18. The child must be resident in Norway (a stay of at least 12 months in a row counts as resident). If the child is born in Norway, the mother normally gets it automatically without applying. In other cases you apply, for example if the father should receive it, for extended benefit as a single parent, or with shared residence. See the current amount at nav.no/barnetrygd.

Cash-for-care benefit: for children aged 13 to 19 months without a full-time publicly subsidised kindergarten place. As a main rule you need at least 5 years of National Insurance membership or insurance in other EEA countries. You can apply from the month the child turns one. With a part-time place you can get 20, 40, 60 or 80 percent. It is not paid retroactively for more than 3 months before the application month. Parliament sets the rate yearly; see nav.no/kontantstotte.

How do I apply, step by step?

1. Choose the right benefit and open its official page on nav.no.
2. Make sure you have an electronic ID and can log in through ID-porten.
3. Gather your documents before starting.
4. Submit the application online (for social assistance, apply to your local NAV office).
5. Send missing documents through the upload service.
6. Follow your case on Min side and report any changes.
7. If you get a refusal, you can appeal (klage) within the deadline in the decision.

Which documents do I usually need?

Processing time for unemployment benefit was 6 weeks when checked, but it changes. For your rights toward an employer see the work rights guide, and for residence see the residence permit guide.

Frequently asked questions

Am I entitled if I have just arrived?

It depends on the benefit. Some require National Insurance membership (unemployment benefit, AAP) or years of membership (cash-for-care). Social assistance generally requires legal residence. Ask NAV about your case.

Can applying affect my residence permit?

We did not verify this in the sources below, and it may depend on your permit type. Ask the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) or NAV before you decide.

What if I cannot log in to ID-porten?

Use the ID-porten help pages or call NAV on 55 55 33 33. Some services offer paper alternatives.

Is the money taxed?

Unemployment benefit is taxable, according to NAV. For other benefits, see “Utbetalinger og skatt” (payments and tax) on nav.no.

Can I appeal a decision?

Yes, you have the right to appeal. The deadline is stated in the decision.

Official sources

• Financial social assistance – nav.no
• Unemployment benefit – nav.no
• Work assessment allowance – nav.no
• Sickness benefit – nav.no
• Child benefit – nav.no
• Cash-for-care benefit – nav.no
• Applications and forms – nav.no
• Contact NAV – nav.no
• ID-porten

Last reviewed: 2026-10-29. This information is general and not legal advice; check with the official authority for your case.