What is engangsstønad and who is eligible?
Are you expecting a child in Norway but do not have a sufficient work record to qualify for parental benefits? Or perhaps you are wondering whether you can receive a lump sum instead of benefits paid during parental leave?
In this article, we explain what engangsstønad is, how much it amounts to in 2026, who can receive it and why membership in the Norwegian social security system matters. We also show you when and how to apply.
What is engangsstønad?
Engangsstønad is a one-off benefit paid by NAV in connection with the birth or adoption of a child. Its purpose is to cover some of the expenses related to a new child joining the family.
The benefit is mainly intended for people who have not earned the right to foreldrepenger (parental benefits). A person who meets the conditions for foreldrepenger may also consciously choose engangsstønad, but both benefits cannot be claimed for the same child.
The legal basis for the benefit is Section 14-17 of the Norwegian National Insurance Act.
Who is eligible for engangsstønad?
Most often, engangsstønad is received by a mother who:
- gives birth to a child or adopts a child under the age of 15,
- is not entitled to foreldrepenger or chooses engangsstønad instead,
- has been a member of folketrygden (the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme) for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before the expected due date or the date of taking over care in the case of adoption.
The benefit does not depend on the family's income or assets. The other parent's high earnings do not remove the right to engangsstønad. What matters is the entitlement of the person submitting the application.
The adoption of a spouse's child does not give entitlement to the benefit.
When can the father or another caregiver receive the benefit?
The father, co-mother or another caregiver can receive engangsstønad only in special situations, including when:
- a man adopts a child on his own,
- the mother dies in connection with childbirth or adoption and the benefit has not already been paid,
- the father or co-mother takes over care of the child within 58 weeks and 1 day of childbirth or adoption with the intention of taking sole parental responsibility,
- after a parent's death, care is taken over by another person who has or will be granted parental responsibility.
The person taking over the right to the benefit must independently meet the requirement of 12 months of membership in folketrygden.
How is membership in folketrygden determined?
If you work in Norway, you are usually covered by folketrygden from your first day of work. If you stay in Norway without employment, membership usually begins when your legal stay in Norway is expected to last at least 12 months.
A Norwegian personal identification number, tax card, entry in the population register or payment of tax alone do not determine membership. Your status is determined under social insurance rules, and detailed information can be found in the rules on membership in folketrygden.
Special care should be taken by people posted to Norway by a Polish employer and covered by an A1 certificate. During the posting period, they usually remain in the Polish system and are not members of folketrygden.
Periods covered exclusively by the Polish social insurance system generally do not replace the required 12 months in the Norwegian system. Engangsstønad is excluded from EEA benefit coordination, so Polish and Norwegian insurance periods should not automatically be added together.
How much is engangsstønad in 2026?
In 2026, engangsstønad is NOK 92,648 per child. The amount is paid as a lump sum.
| Number of children | Total amount in 2026 |
|---|---|
| One child | NOK 92,648 |
| Twins | NOK 185,296 |
| Triplets | NOK 277,944 |
Engangsstønad is exempt from income tax. NAV pays the full amount awarded without withholding tax in advance. No feriepenger (holiday pay) are accrued on the benefit either.
Engangsstønad vs. foreldrepenger
Entitlement to foreldrepenger generally arises after receiving income or specified benefits for at least 6 of the last 10 months, with an annual income of at least 0.5 G. From May 1, 2026, this threshold is NOK 68,274.50 per year.
| Feature | Engangsstønad | Foreldrepenger |
|---|---|---|
| Payment method | Lump sum | Paid during the benefit period |
| Amount | NOK 92,648 per child | Depends on income and the selected period |
| Tax | Tax-exempt benefit | Taxable benefit |
| Holiday pay | Not accrued | May be accrued under the rules for foreldrepenger |
| Required period | 12 months of membership in folketrygden | Usually income or specified benefits for 6 out of 10 months |
Before making a decision, compare the total value of both benefits and the impact of your choice on the other parent's entitlements. Once a positive decision has been issued for one of them, the choice is generally irreversible. In the case of a multiple pregnancy, you cannot choose foreldrepenger for one child and engangsstønad for another.
We describe the calculation rules and payment period in more detail in the article How much is foreldrepenger and how long is parental leave in Norway?
How and when should you apply?
The mother can apply at the earliest in the 22nd week of pregnancy. The final deadline is generally 6 months from the date of childbirth or adoption. Missing this deadline usually results in losing the right to the benefit.
| Situation | Earliest time to apply | Basic documents |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy | 22nd week of pregnancy | Certificate from a doctor or midwife issued in the 22nd week of pregnancy or later |
| Child born abroad | After the birth | Birth certificate, if the child has not been entered in the Norwegian population register |
| Adoption | Once the date of taking over care has been determined | Document stating the date of taking over care and an adoption decision or approval, if issued |
| Care taken over by the father or another person | Once the right to care or parental responsibility has been determined | Documents confirming the transfer of care and the circumstances establishing entitlement to the benefit |
The electronic application for engangsstønad is the simplest way to apply. The standard processing time is approximately 6 weeks, and around 3 months for international cases. After a positive decision, payment is usually made within approximately 1 week.
If you want to avoid errors and missing attachments, we will be happy to help you prepare your engangsstønad one-off grant application.
FAQ - frequently asked questions
Summary
- Engangsstønad is a one-off benefit related to the birth or adoption of a child, amounting to NOK 92,648 per child in 2026.
- The applicant must have at least 12 consecutive months of membership in folketrygden immediately before the expected due date or taking over care.
- The benefit is tax-exempt, and no holiday pay is accrued on the amount paid.
- The application must generally be submitted no later than 6 months after childbirth or adoption.
If you need help applying for engangsstønad, call us: +47 21 38 38 21. We help Polish people in Norway organise their benefit-related matters.
Article author: Marcin - marcin@efirma.no
