This type of residence permit can be granted to persons from the EEA area who receive regular periodic benefits or have own funds.
Who can be granted a residence permit on the grounds of periodic benefits /own funds?
It is a condition for this type of permit that your subsistence is ensured through the receipt of periodic benefits, e.g. old age pension or other form of benefits from your home country, or that you have sufficient own funds. You must also have medical insurance.
There are no transitional rules for this type of permit, i.e. citizens from Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Rumania can also apply for this type of permit.
A more precise definition of the conditions can be found in the Immigration Regulations s. 177.
What requirements apply to this type of residence permit?
- You must either receive regular periodic benefits that are not conditional on being granted a residence permit in Norway.
- Or you must have sufficient own funds. The money must be at your disposal.
- Your subsistence must be ensured. The requirements for judging that subsistence is ensured are assessed in concrete terms. The Norwegian National insurance full minimum pension for single persons with special allowances is always sufficient. As of 1 May 2007, this is NOK 119,820 per year.
- You must have medical insurance that covers all the risks covered by Norwegian law. A European Health Insurance Card will cover this.
How do I apply?
To apply for a residence permit, you must fill in the application form for EEA citizens. The application can be submitted to your nearest Norwegian foreign service mission in your home country, or in another country in which you have legally resided for a minimum of 6 months. You can also apply from the realm. If you decide to apply from the realm, you can reside in Norway for three months before you have to apply for a permit.
Applications submitted in Norway must be delivered to the police district where you live. The police can grant the application if there is no doubt that the conditions are met. If there is doubt, the application will be sent to the UDI for a decision.
What do I have to enclose with my application?
In addition to the completed application form, you must enclose:
- Recent documentation that you receive a pension, national insurance or other benefits. The amount of the benefit must be stated in the documentation.
- Or a bank statement/ bank confirmation that you have your own funds.
- Private medical insurance, E-form or European Health Insurance Card.
If you receive other benefits etc. that contribute to your subsistence, e.g. free board and lodging, documentation of this should also be enclosed.
You must also enclose:
- A copy of your passport or approved identity card.
- A passport photo/photo that meets specific requirements.
How long will it take to process my application?
The case processing time varies somewhat. An overview of how long it takes on average to process the different types of application is available at www.udi.no/caseprocessingtime, or you can contact the Information Service for Applicants by email or by phoning (+ 47) 23 35 16 00.
We encourage everyone to apply well in advance. In order to avoid the processing of applications taking longer than necessary, it is important to be accurate when filling in the application form and to enclose all the requested documentation.
Remember that you can reside in Norway while you are waiting for your application to be processed.
The time the police take to process applications will vary depending on the district you reside in. Ask the police when you hand in your application.
The permit’s content
As a rule, the permit entitles you to work and run a business.
The permit is granted for five years. If you are unable to document that your subsistence is ensured for five years, you may be granted a permit for two years.
The permit does not constitute grounds for a settlement permit.
Family members can come to Norway pursuant to the regulations for family immigration pursuant to the EEA Agreement. If the family’s application is submitted simultaneously with the main applicant’s application, they will be processed together.
Can the permit be renewed or extended?
The permit can be renewed. It is renewed for five years at a time.
An application for the renewal of a residence permit must be submitted at least one month prior to the expiry date of the permit.
Applications for renewal should be submitted to the police in the district where you live.
When applying for a renewal, you must enclose documentation showing that you still receive periodic benefits or still have own funds. Valid medical insurance must also be documented.
Can I appeal against a rejection?
If your application for a residence permit is rejected, you may appeal the decision. If you appeal, your application will be reconsidered by the UDI. The UDI can overturn the decision and grant the application. If not, the case will be sent to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) for new processing.
A residence permit can be revoked
A residence permit can be revoked if the conditions are no longer met.
The revocation of a residence permit means that you are obliged to leave Norway, unless you satisfy the requirements for being granted a permit on other grounds.
The Immigration Directorate (UDI) decides the revocation of permits. If the UDI believes there are grounds for revoking your permit, they shall as a rule inform you, so that you have an opportunity to state your point of view before they make a decision. You also have the right to appeal a revocation decision.
Further questions?
If you still have questions regarding how to apply for a residence permit on the grounds of being a citizen of a EU/EEA/EFTA country who receives regular periodic benefits or has own funds, you can contact your nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate, or the Information Service for Applicants.
