Norway for Ukrainians in 2025: how to apply for protection, social support and major changes for refugees

This year, Norway continues to provide asylum to Ukrainian citizens, but the government has changed their stay in the country. Find out more about the rules for entering Norway from Ukraine in 2025, how to get protection and apply for financial assistance

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According to the Norwegian Immigration Service, more than 85,000 Ukrainians have been granted temporary collective protection in the country since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Norway has accepted more Ukrainians than other Nordic countries. The largest centers of Ukrainians are the cities of Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, and Drummen.

In 2025, the country will continue to accept refugees, but stricter rules for Ukrainians have been approved. Norway is not a member of the European Union, so the procedure for applying for protection is slightly different from EU countries.

The rules and features of temporary collective protection in Norway in 2025 are described below.

In the previous article, we reviewed and explained in detail all the stages of Ukrainian emigration to Norway.

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Rules of entry to Norway for Ukrainians in 2025

Ukrainians planning to enter Norway can cross the border even without a passport if they intend to apply for temporary protection. However, in the absence of such plans, a biometric passport or a residence permit in Norway is required for entry.

As of February 25, 2022, Norway has completely abolished visa requirements for all Ukrainian citizens, so there is no need to apply for a permit before traveling.

If you are traveling with your pets, you should prepare all the necessary documents in advance. The animal must have a microchip, an up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a blood test confirming its effectiveness. A veterinary examination by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority is also required.

After arriving in Norway, it is important to contact the police as soon as possible, who will register the application for protection and send it to the refugee reception center. For a faster processing, you can immediately contact the National Registration Center, where representatives of government agencies work. They provide counseling, temporary housing, food, necessary clothing and hygiene products.

Ukrainians in Norway are free to choose their place of residence. If it is possible to stay with friends or relatives, you need to apply for residence at a private address.

For a successful move and to avoid any troubles, it is worth contacting specialists. Visit Ukraine lawyers provide full support and advice on migration issues to successfully resolve any nuances.

Where are refugees accepted in Norway?

Starting from July 15, 2024, all Ukrainians seeking temporary protection in Norway must apply to the National Refugee Registration Center in Rode. The center is located 116 km south of Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) at 58 Mossevayen Street, 1640 Rode. The nearest border crossing is the E6 highway in Svinesund (Sweden).

Upon arrival, you should contact the police, who will check your identity documents and organize further steps. Norway does not provide free transportation to the center, so you need to organize your own travel. Exceptions are unaccompanied minors, people in need of emergency care, and people who are in danger of losing their lives.

When applying for protection at the Immigration Department of the Police, a photo is taken, fingerprints are taken and a personal D-number is registered. The person receives a temporary asylum seeker's certificate. All information is forwarded to the Directorate of Immigration, which makes the final decision.

Waiting for a response can take from several days to several weeks. During this period, the applicant lives in a refugee shelter. Additionally, a mandatory medical examination for tuberculosis is conducted.

If the decision is positive, the applicant receives a residence permit, a personal number and is transferred to one of the municipalities of Norway for further integration. This includes support in language learning, employment and adaptation to life in the country.

Contact information of the National Refugee Reception and Registration Center:

- Address: Mosseveien 58, 1640 Råde.

- The nearest border crossing point is the E6 highway in the city of Svinesund (Sweden).

- To arrange a check-in time, please call: 40 02 61 90. The telephone number is available from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00. The phone is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and all public holidays.

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How to get to the refugee registration center?

Ukrainians must get to the National Center for the Arrival and Registration of Refugees on their own. Local police can make an exception and take you to the center only if you are in a particularly difficult situation (belong to a group of vulnerable persons) or if there is a threat to your health and life.

In any case, the police will only assist minors under the age of 18 who have arrived in Norway unaccompanied by an adult.

Important! If you are going to the National Refugee Arrival and Registration Center from another city, be sure to take all your belongings with you, because it is not known to which region you will be sent after registration.

Keep in mind that a Green Card is a prerequisite for legal travel in Norway by car. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card online from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

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Norwegian government's position on Ukrainians

The Minister of Labor and Integration of Norway, Tonje Brenna, noted that the increase in the number of Ukrainian refugees poses serious challenges for municipalities responsible for their accommodation and social support. To maintain the quality of services provided, the government decided to review the current assistance mechanisms and make the system more manageable.

One of the main changes was the reduction of financial support for Ukrainians living outside of refugee centers. In addition, the costs associated with the maintenance of pets of newly arrived asylum seekers will no longer be reimbursed. Restrictions on free dental services for people aged 19-24 have been introduced - they will be available only after five years of residence in the country.

A 12-month residence requirement for receiving one-time financial assistance is also being introduced, which will affect payments to spouses and cohabitants without children. Monthly payments for couples with children have been reduced to €564.

Which categories of Ukrainians will no longer be able to obtain temporary protection status in Norway?

Norway continues to change its policy on granting temporary protection to Ukrainians, taking into account the situation in Ukraine. In September 2024, the Norwegian government recognized some Ukrainian regions as safe for return, and in early 2025, this list was expanded. According to the updated decisions of the Office for Foreigners (UDI), citizens of some regions are no longer eligible for automatic temporary protection in Norway.

The list includes Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytsky, Kirovohrad, Kyiv (without the city of Kyiv), Lviv, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpattia and Zhytomyr regions.

The changes will not affect those Ukrainians who:

- Submitted an application before September 28, 2024;

- Already have a residence permit;

- Came under the Medevac program;

- Whose family members already have collective protection status.

The official UDI website explains that these regions are under the control of the Ukrainian authorities, and the risk of hostilities there is minimal. Residents of these regions are advised to consider alternative options, such as applying for individual protection in case of a threat to personal safety or using medical and humanitarian evacuation programs.

What kind of assistance does Norway provide to Ukrainians in 2025?

Norway provides comprehensive support to Ukrainian refugees, including housing, financial assistance, medical services, education and social adaptation. Newcomers can count on temporary housing in reception centers or social complexes. Financial support covers food, clothing and basic needs. Medical care is free of charge and includes emergency care, medical consultations and necessary treatment. Children have access to free education, and adults can attend language courses. In addition, refugees can receive social support, including psychological counseling and assistance in adapting to a new life.

Housing in Norway for Ukrainians

Free accommodation is provided for Ukrainians in Norway. Upon arrival, you will be accommodated in a reception center. Then, when your documents are processed and you are granted protection, you will be placed in the relevant community in the country. It is the community that will be responsible for providing housing.

Most often, you are accommodated in special small dormitories. Before checking in, the authorities must inspect the living conditions: whether they meet the standards, whether the refugee will feel comfortable there, and how safe it is to stay there.

If you are planning to rent an apartment, it is better to look for it on your own than through an agency.

We advise you to focus on Norwegian websites, as you can be sure that prices will not be too high for foreigners. One of the most popular sites is Finn.no. Ads in English are collected on Nespick.com and Rentberry.com.

The monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment ranges from 800 to 1200 EUR, depending on the city.

Work in Norway for Ukrainians

After obtaining temporary protection, you will receive a work permit. The largest database of vacancies is collected on the portal: Arbeidsplassen.

If you work in Norway, you automatically become a member of the Norwegian National Insurance System from the first day of work. As a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, NAV is responsible for your rights to family benefits, pension, health care, and much more.

In 2025, the government will facilitate the rapid employment of Ukrainians. The government plans to strengthen the orientation program for refugees and will set specific requirements for its orientation:

- Participants must spend at least 15 hours a week on employment-related activities;

- The minimum requirements can be met through internships, part-time work, short vocational or industry-specific courses, and participation in labor market events;

- Municipalities will have the right to reject applications for participation in the program from those who are already employed or have received a job offer.

To learn more about the specifics of employment of Ukrainians in Norway, please follow the link.

Education in Norway

Ukrainian children are entitled to free education in Norway. This right applies to children from 6 to 16 years old. The education system is divided into primary, secondary and high schools. After that, there is an opportunity to get a state-funded place at a college or university with a scholarship. Students will study according to Norwegian programs. There are also many textbooks in Ukrainian that schools can use.

In Norway, attending kindergarten is not compulsory, however, it is considered the first stage of the educational process.

Contact your local municipality for details and practical information.

Financial support for Ukrainian refugees in Norway 2025

In 2025, Norway made changes to the system of financial support for Ukrainian refugees to optimize budget expenditures. Previously, one adult could count on assistance of approximately 1800 euros, but since 2024 this amount has been reduced.

Ukrainians who choose to live in private housing no longer receive financial support from the state.

Also, payments for childless families have been reduced - their amount has decreased by 6000 kroons per month (about 520 euros).

In addition, the state no longer covers the costs associated with the maintenance of pets, so it is no longer possible to stay with them in refugee reception centers.

To receive a one-time payment of 93,000 kroons (approximately 8,200 euros), Ukrainian refugees must reside in the country for at least one year. These changes are aimed at reducing the burden on municipal budgets.

When can Ukrainians lose their collective protection status in Norway?

Previously, there was an exception that allowed Ukrainians to travel to their homeland without the risk of losing their status. However, as of December 12, 2023, the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Emergency Situations canceled this exception, giving the Directorate for Foreigners (UDI) the right to revoke a residence permit in case of visiting Ukraine.

According to the new rules, protection may be revoked if a refugee traveled to Ukraine after December 12, 2023, without a valid reason, such as visiting a seriously ill relative or a funeral. Also, those who have been outside Norway for more than six months in a year are at risk of losing their status. It is important to note that these changes do not apply to trips made before December 12, 2023.

How to restore the lost collective protection status in Norway?

According to the new rules, starting from July 1, 2024, Ukrainians will not be able to obtain collective protection again. From now on, when you apply, you will only be able to apply for individual protection.

The change in status will have certain consequences for Ukrainians:

- Loss of rights in the municipality in which the person lives;

- The right to a place in a shelter remains while the application for individual protection is being considered;

In order to obtain the possibility of legal employment, it is necessary to apply for a temporary work permit;

- After obtaining individual protection, the right to settle with state assistance is lost, i.e. you will need to find accommodation and pay for it yourself.

If the Norwegian Directorate for Foreigners (UDI) refuses to grant you individual protection, you will have to leave Norway.

Thus, in 2024, Norway, like other European countries, will accept Ukrainians, but before moving here, take into account the gradual reduction of social support.

We remind you! The process of obtaining a residence permit in Norway can be complicated for Ukrainians. Read more about how to properly prepare documents after temporary protection and avoid mistakes to save time and effort.

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