Norway Citizenship by Investment

Foreign citizens who want to move to Norway can apply for various types of residence permits that enable them to live here for as long as they want, with the condition that upon expiry they renew they residence documents.

One of the main categories the government wants to attract is investors, but Norway has no citizenship-by-investment or investor-visa scheme. The program aims at overseas businesspersons interested in relocating here and making important contributions to the economy in exchange for permanent residency followed by citizenship.

Below, our immigration lawyers in Norway explain the main requirements associated with the investor visa program. We are at your service if you want to apply for it.

Conditions to obtain a Norway investor visa in 2026

While citizens of EU, EEA countries and Sweden benefit from less stringent requirements if they are seeking immigration to Norway, non-EU citizens who want to acquire residence here must apply for visa that enable them to live and work or own companies here. The Norway investment visa is one of the most suitable programs under which this category of immigrants can successfully enter and relocate here.

Here are the main conditions under which a foreign citizen can obtain Norway citizenship by investment:

• the scheme is open to persons who have turned the legal age of 18;
• these must have clean criminal records upon filing for residency;
• the amount of money to be invested has no legal minimum, because Norway does not grant residence on the basis of an investment
• the money must be invested in a qualifying business and must support the creation of jobs.

This program is one of the most appealing among Northern European countries thanks to the investment requirements and to the fact that it is open to those interested in some of Norway’s most appealing economic sectors.

Our law firm in Norway can guide foreign entrepreneurs interested in applying for investor visas in drafting their documents for successful relocation in 2026.

Qualifying activities for businesses under the Norway investment visa

While other countries offer multiple choices to those who want to move and obtain residency, the Norway citizenship by investment scheme for 2026 provides for one option: that of opening a company or investing in an existing business. However, the activities this enterprise must undertake can be one of the following:

• IT;
• shipping;
• oil and gas;
• green/clean energy;
• fishing;
• maritime.

Our immigration lawyers in Norway can help you set up a business in any of the industries presented above. We can also assist if you want to acquire shares and thus become a participant in such a company with the purpose of obtaining residency as an investor. We also have an infographic on this subject:

Documents to prepare to obtain Norway citizenship by investment

The procedure for obtaining residency followed by citizenship by investment in Norway in 2026 is not complicated and requires the preparation of various documents that must be filed with the Immigration Directorate.

Among the documents to be prepared are the valid passport, the clean criminal record, health insurance and proof of the financial requirements (the source of the money will be checked for legitimacy), as well as proof of being able to support oneself and the family, if the main applicant relocates to Norway with close relatives.

If you want to apply for a Norway investor visa, our lawyers can help you prepare the file you need to file with the authorities.

Residency followed by citizenship in Norway

What should be noted about the Norway investment visa is that once obtained it will lead to permanent residency after 3 years of living here. Citizenship may be applied for after 8 years of dwelling in this country (6 years with sufficient income).

Another important aspect to be considered about this program in comparison to others is that it does not come with special conditions or benefits for investors. Successful candidates, however, will be allowed to buy properties and settle here just like other foreigners who come here based on employment or for other purposes. 

You can rely on our Norwegian law firm for more information on immigration to Norway in 2026. Generally speaking, you should pay taxes on your Norwegian-earned income if you work here. Your employer can obtain your tax deduction card electronically from the Norwegian Tax Administration if you are listed as a resident of Norway. You can apply for a tax deduction card at your local tax office if you are not registered in Norway or do not have a Norwegian identity number.

As far as Norwegian investor-related residence permits are concerned, until 2026, the applicants need to do more than just provide the funds for the business. The applicants need to also be involved in the day-to-day running of the businesses and show evidence that the businesses they have invested in make a real economic contribution to Norway, for example, through the creation of jobs, the generation of revenue, or the provision of innovative products or services.

Norway’s population and immigrants in numbers

About 931,000 immigrants were living in Norway at the beginning of 2024. Additionally, a little over 221,000 residents were born toIn 2024, there were 1,012,404 immigrants in Norway, according to the United Nations’ report. The major immigrant groups are from Poland (111,376), Ukraine (79,624), Lithuania (43,077), Syria (40,774), and Sweden (37,213). Immigration increased by 73.5% from 38,075 in 2020 to 66,077 in 2024. Of them, 15% arrived from Asia, including Syria, India, and Pakistan, while 42% came from EU/EEA nations, particularly Poland, Romania, and Sweden. Although they work in many different industries, immigrants are primarily employed in social work, healthcare, construction, services, and commerce.

As of January 2025, the number of immigrants continued to increase, reaching about 965,000, making up 17.3% of the total population.

If you wan to apply for Norway citizenship by investment and need support, please contact us.