Who needs the citizenship test? Requirements and exemptions

UDI's test requirements apply to citizenship applicants aged 18 to 67. Within that range, you must pass an oral Norwegian test at B1 or higher for most applicants, and either the citizenship test or the social studies test taken in Norwegian.

Outside the 18–67 range, the test requirements do not apply. In some cases UDI can also grant exemptions from the requirements — always check the rules for your own situation on UDI's pages.

• Applies to applicants aged 18–67.
• Language requirement: oral Norwegian at B1 for most applicants.
• Knowledge requirement: citizenship test, or social studies test in Norwegian.

You can document knowledge of Norwegian society in one of two ways: pass statsborgerprøven, or pass samfunnskunnskapsprøven taken in Norwegian. Either satisfies the requirement — you do not need both.

The language of the social studies pass matters. UDI is explicit that a social studies test taken in another language, such as English, must be retaken in Norwegian to count for citizenship. If citizenship is your goal, practise in Norwegian from the start.

The knowledge test is not a language test — the oral Norwegian requirement is separate. Most applicants need a result at B1 or higher on the oral test.

UDI accepts A2 for some groups: stateless applicants, applicants over 55 who came to Norway through protection or resettlement, applicants over 55 receiving disability benefits, and those who applied for citizenship before 1 October 2022.

• Most applicants: oral Norwegian at B1 or higher.
• A2 accepted for: stateless applicants, certain applicants over 55, and pre-October 2022 applications.
• The knowledge test itself is at roughly A2 reading level and can be read aloud by audio in the test.

UDI states that exemptions from the test requirements can be granted in some cases. The details depend on your situation — typically documented health reasons or completed education that covers the requirement — and are assessed as part of your application.

Do not assume an exemption: check UDI's current rules for your case, and ask your municipality's adult education office if you are unsure what your record already documents.

Permanent residence has its own requirements, and there the social studies test may be taken in a language you understand — one of 23 offered languages, including English. Our comparison guide covers which test fits which application in detail.

The practical takeaway: check which application you are actually preparing for before you choose a test language, because that choice decides whether the pass can be reused later.