· 7 min read
Norway Citizenship Language Test: B1 Oral
By Language Lab editorial team
What Norwegian you need for citizenship: an oral test at B1 for applicants aged 18 to 67, plus the citizenship or social studies test in Norwegian. UDI's rules.
To become a Norwegian citizen you must, if you are between 18 and 67, pass an oral Norwegian test at level B1 or higher and pass either the citizenship test or the social studies test, taken in Norwegian. The B1 level applies to applications submitted on or after 1 October 2022; earlier applications were held to A2. Stateless people, and applicants over 55 who arrived as refugees or who receive disability benefits, need only the A2 oral test. Exemptions exist for people who finished Norwegian or Sami schooling with a passing grade, completed 30 credits of Norwegian or Sami at university, or studied in a programme taught in Norwegian, and for documented health reasons.
The two requirements
| Requirement | Level | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Norwegian test | B1 or higher | Applicants aged 18 to 67 |
| Citizenship test or social studies test | Pass, in Norwegian | Applicants aged 18 to 67 |
| Oral Norwegian test | A2 | Stateless applicants; applicants over 55 who came as refugees or receive disability benefits |
The Directorate of Immigration, UDI, sets both requirements. The language test is oral only: there is no written part for citizenship purposes. The knowledge test can be either the citizenship test or the social studies test, but for citizenship it must have been passed in Norwegian. A social studies test passed in another language counts for permanent residence, not for citizenship.
Why B1 and not A2
The change came into force for applications submitted on or after 1 October 2022. Before that date, A2 oral Norwegian was enough. UDI's notice explains that applications submitted earlier are assessed against A2, and that applicants who cannot reach B1 for health or other documented reasons can instead pass at A2 or document why they cannot take the test.
B1 is the level at which you can handle most everyday situations on your own: follow clear speech about familiar topics, describe experiences and plans, and give brief reasons for an opinion. For the oral exam that means a conversation, not a recital.
What the oral B1 test looks like
The Norwegian test is taken at a test centre. UDI's exemptions page lists the adjustments you can ask for: taking the oral test without a co-candidate, taking the citizenship test orally, or being given extra time. You request adjustments from the test centre, not from UDI.
Who is exempt
- You completed Norwegian or Sami at primary, lower-secondary or upper-secondary school with a passing grade.
- You completed 30 credits of Norwegian or Sami at university or university college.
- You completed a study programme taught in Norwegian.
- Health problems or personal circumstances prevent you from taking the test, documented by health personnel on UDI's form.
UDI applies the exemptions to the language test; the knowledge test has its own rules. Check which of the two you are asking to be exempted from, because the forms differ.
Citizenship test or social studies test?
Either satisfies the knowledge requirement, as long as it is taken in Norwegian. The social studies test is the one most people take as part of the introduction programme or Norwegian training; the citizenship test is a separate test on Norwegian society. Taking the social studies test in English or another language is valid for a permanent residence permit but not for citizenship, so a second sitting in Norwegian may be needed.
Timeline
- Reach A2 and sit the social studies test in Norwegian if you can; it is reused for citizenship.
- Work from A2 to B1 oral: this is the step that takes time, so start speaking early.
- Sit the oral Norwegian test at B1 at an approved centre.
- Apply to UDI with the certificates attached.
Frequently asked
What Norwegian level do I need for citizenship?
An oral Norwegian test at B1 or higher if you are aged 18 to 67, for applications submitted from 1 October 2022. Stateless applicants and some applicants over 55 need A2.
Do I need a written Norwegian test for citizenship?
No. UDI requires an oral test. The written parts of the Norwegian test are not a citizenship requirement.
Can I use a social studies test I took in English?
Not for citizenship. The citizenship or social studies test must be passed in Norwegian; a test in another language counts only for permanent residence.
Who is exempt from the Norwegian test?
People who passed Norwegian or Sami at school, completed 30 university credits in Norwegian or Sami, studied in a programme taught in Norwegian, or have documented health or personal reasons.
Can I get extra time or a solo oral exam?
Yes. Adjustments such as taking the oral test without a co-candidate, an oral citizenship test or extra time are requested from the test centre.
Checked against UDI's pages on test requirements for Norwegian citizenship, the 1 October 2022 change to the language requirement, and exemptions from tests, on 3 November 2026.
