Other Benefits

Thorbjørn Gilberg

In addition to the support from scholarships, MSc and Ph.D. students become members of the Norwegian social security system. This entitles them to various types of support.

In addition to the support from scholarships, MSc and Ph.D. students become members of the Norwegian social security system. This entitles them to various types of support. Of particular relevance are the following:

Child support for children below 18 years old living in Norway. The monthly rates are as follows (2001):
1 child: NOK 972,-

2 children: NOK 1 658,-

3 children: NOK 2 570,-

4 children: NOK 3 482,-

For children between 1 and 3 years old the parents receive an additional NOK 3 000,- per month, if the child does not attend day-care in a day-care-centre.

If giving birth in Norway you are also normally entitled to a support of NOK 32.138.

Treatment in public hospitals is free (by far most hospitals are public), but you have to pay a fee for certain expenses (X-rays, lab tests, etc.). A fee is also paid for appointments with a doctor (outside the hospitals). For example, a state registered doctor can/normally charge/s a patient NOK 140-200 per consultation/X-ray etc. If you have spent more than NOK 1.400 on medication or consultation fees further expences are normally free.

Primary and secondary schools are free (grade 1-10). Children start school at the age of six. Although the instruction is in Norwegian, foreign pupils are entitled to some lessons per week in their native language (but subject to availability of teachers). Kindergartens are not free. In the publicly owned kindergartens the payment depends on income of the parents. In Ås (the municipality where the Agricultural University is located), for example, families with an annual income of less than NOK 125 000 pay NOK 1 080 per month. Regular payment is much higher, typically in the range of NOK 3 -4 000 per month. The University Foundation for Student Life (SiÅs) also as a kindergarten (1-3 years).

Accompanying spouses are under some conditions given a work permit.

Updated: 05.04.04
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