Both new parents and those with longer experience often ask us whether the Norwegian state financially supports families and, if so, what rules apply. The answer is positive - yes, Norway offers support programs for parents and children. In this article, we will briefly present the benefits that families in Norway (and elsewhere!) can receive.
Barnetrygd – Norwegian “500+”
The first and most frequently collected family benefit by Poles in Norway is barnetrygd, i.e. a child benefit similar to the Polish “Family 500+” program.
To receive benefits, we do not need to meet many requirements - basically, it is enough that we work in Norway or run a business here and have joint registration with the child (even if it is registered in Poland).
Regarding the amount of the benefit: in 2023, the barnetrygd is NOK 1083 per month for a child up to 6 years of age and NOK 1723 per month for children under 6 years of age. We can also receive it up to 3 years back.
More rules and information regarding this benefit can be found here by clicking here.
WARNING: If one of the parents lives in Poland, be sure to check it out with this article (press). The rules for receiving 500+ and barnetrygd as well as international regulations may result in the fact that in the event of receiving both benefits at the same time, one of the countries demands a refund of the amount paid!
Kontantstøtte – care support
The second, but equally common benefit is kontantstøtte, i.e. support for a child aged 1 to 2 who does not attend kindergarten or nursery, e.g. due to lack of space.
To be entitled to this benefit we must:
- work, receive benefits (e.g. sickness benefits) or run a business in Norway
- be a member of the social security system in Norway or another EEA NOK for 5 years
- have joint residence with a child aged 1 to 2 years
- have a child who does not have a place in a public nursery or has a limited place there
The standard amount of the benefit for 2023 is NOK 7500 per child, but depending on the number of hours the child uses the nursery, the amount of the benefit paid decreases. This benefit is completely tax-free.
More rules and information regarding this benefit can be found here by clicking here.
Foreldrepenger – paternity and maternity benefit
Another benefit is foreldrepenger, i.e. parental benefit. It is intended to replace the income of new parents while staying at home with their child.
When it comes to this form of support, there are 3 requirements that must be met:
- have worked in Norway in 6 of the last 10 months
- our minimum annual income must be at least 0,5 G, i.e. in 2023 it is approximately NOK 59
- be a member of the Norwegian social security system
The amount and period of the benefit are individual and calculated based on our situation. You can read more about the method of calculating the benefit, its periods and other rules by clicking here.
Engangsstønad – one-time financial support
If we did not have the appropriate income for the previous benefit, i.e. foreldrepenger, or the calculated amount is too low, we can apply for the so-called becikowe, i.e. Engangsstønad. This is a one-off amount that Norway pays us as support in the event of the birth or adoption of a child.
The only requirement for this benefit is that you must be a member of the Norwegian social security system (work or run a business in Norway) at the time of birth or adoption. However, the benefit is not payable in the case of adoption if it is the adoption of the spouse's child or the adopted child is over 15 years old. In most cases, only the child's mother is entitled to the benefit, so if only the father works in Norway and the child's mother stays in Poland - she is not entitled to the benefit.
The benefit amount for 2023 is NOK 90.300 and is tax-free. We can only receive this type of aid once per child.
More rules and information regarding this benefit can be found here by clicking here.
Svangerskapspenger – assistance in the event of inability to work during pregnancy
Another support for women, this time granted when work poses a threat to pregnancy - for example, our work involves contact with chemical substances, the work itself is physically demanding or we work under high stress. Women entitled to this benefit often take sick leave, which is most often unfavorable because the leave itself can be used in the period after the birth of a child.
The requirements for this benefit are:
- our work must pose a risk to the pregnancy and the child
- our annual income must be at least 0,5 G, i.e. in 2023 it is approximately NOK 59
- we must have worked at least 4 weeks in Norway before applying for benefits.
You can receive the benefit from the moment you stop working until 3 weeks before the due date, and it can also be paid up to 3 months back. The amount depends on the type of employment and our earnings.
You can read more about how the benefit is calculated and its rules by clicking here.
