Collective Protection — Children, School and Kindergarten

Collective Protection — Children, School and Kindergarten

This article explains the main rights and practical options for children of people who have been granted collective protection in Norway.

Rules concerning schools, kindergarten, language support and other services can change. Always check the latest information from UDI, Udir, the municipality and other official Norwegian authorities before making important decisions.

1. Children's rights after collective protection is granted

Children of people who have been granted collective protection have the right to attend school and kindergarten in Norway under the applicable rules.

School and kindergarten are organised differently, so the conditions and application procedures are not the same.

The municipality is an important point of contact for school and kindergarten services.

2. Right to compulsory school

Children of compulsory school age have the right and obligation to receive primary and lower secondary education (grunnskole) in Norway when the conditions in the Education Act are met.

For newly arrived children, the right to grunnskoleopplæring applies when it is likely that the child will stay in Norway for more than three months.

The municipality where the child lives is responsible for providing the education.

The municipality should provide schooling as soon as possible and, under the applicable rules, no later than the statutory deadline.

3. School age and placement

Compulsory school normally covers children and young people from approximately 6 to 16 years of age.

A newly arrived child is normally placed in the school grade that corresponds to the child's age.

The municipality can make an exception when an individual assessment shows that another grade is more appropriate for the child.

Children who arrive from another country have the same basic rights and obligations as other pupils unless the law provides otherwise.

4. How to enrol a child in school

If your child needs a school place, contact the municipality where you live.

The municipality can tell you which school your child should attend and how the registration process works.

You may be asked to provide information about the child's identity, age, previous education and place of residence.

If you do not understand Norwegian well enough to communicate with the municipality or school, ask whether an interpreter can be provided.

5. The child's local school

Pupils normally have the right to attend their local school according to the applicable rules.

The municipality is responsible for organising the school offer.

Newly arrived pupils should not be separated from other pupils simply because of their ethnic background.

The school should provide an appropriate and safe learning environment for the child.

6. Norwegian language support

Pupils whose first language is not Norwegian or Sami can have a right to special language training (særskilt språkopplæring) until they have sufficient Norwegian skills to follow ordinary education.

The support can include adapted Norwegian language training.

Depending on the child's needs and the applicable rules, the child may also have a right to mother-tongue instruction and/or bilingual subject instruction.

The school should assess the child's language needs and organise the education according to the applicable rules.

7. Introductory education for newly arrived pupils

Newly arrived pupils may in some circumstances receive introductory education (innføringsopplæring).

The purpose is to help the pupil learn Norwegian and participate in ordinary education as quickly as possible.

Introductory education is intended as a transition arrangement and should not continue longer than necessary for the pupil.

The rules concerning consent and the organisation of introductory education can depend on the pupil's age, circumstances and current legislation.

8. Support for children who arrive with limited previous schooling

A newly arrived child may have completed a different amount of education in another country.

The school and municipality should consider the child's previous education and current needs when organising the education.

If the child needs additional academic or language support, the school should assess what measures are appropriate under the applicable education rules.

9. Children aged 16–18

Young people who arrive in Norway after compulsory school age can have different education rights depending on their age and previous education.

A young person who has completed Norwegian primary and lower secondary education or equivalent education may have a right to upper secondary education.

A young person who has not completed Norwegian grunnskole or equivalent education can have a right to preparatory education under the applicable rules.

The municipality and county authority (fylkeskommune) can help determine which education offer applies.

10. Upper secondary education

Young people who have completed grunnskole or equivalent education can have a right to upper secondary education under the Education Act.

The right can continue until the person has achieved study competence or vocational competence, subject to the applicable rules.

For newly arrived young people, the exact education pathway can depend on their previous education, age and language skills.

Contact the county authority (fylkeskommune) for information about applications and available education.

11. School transport

Children may have a right to free or organised school transport when the statutory conditions are met.

The rules can depend on the distance between the home and school, the child's situation and other circumstances.

Contact the municipality or school if you believe your child may be entitled to school transport.

Do not assume that transport is automatically provided for every pupil.

12. School health service

Children and pupils can use the school health service (skolehelsetjenesten).

The school health service is a free service for pupils in primary and secondary education.

It can provide health information, preventive services and help with health-related questions.

If your child has health concerns, you can also contact the child's GP (fastlege) or other appropriate healthcare service.

13. Interpreter at school and kindergarten

If parents or children do not understand Norwegian well enough to receive important information, an interpreter may be necessary.

Schools and kindergartens should use qualified interpreters when interpretation is required to provide a safe and appropriate service and to protect the child's rights.

Do not assume that a child, sibling or family member should interpret important school or healthcare information.

Ask the school or kindergarten about interpreter assistance when needed.

14. Cooperation between parents and school

Parents and schools should cooperate about the child's education and wellbeing.

Tell the school about important circumstances that may affect the child's learning, health or participation.

Parents should read information from the school and respond when the school requests information or cooperation.

If you do not understand a message from the school, ask for clarification or an interpreter.

15. School absence

Parents should follow the school's rules for reporting absence.

If a child is ill or cannot attend school, notify the school according to the school's procedures.

For longer or repeated absence, contact the school and explain the situation.

Do not ignore school attendance problems. Ask the school for help if the child has difficulties attending regularly.

16. Kindergarten — who can have a place

Kindergarten (barnehage) is different from compulsory school.

Children who have a residence permit and are permanently settled in a municipality can have a statutory right to a kindergarten place when the conditions in the Kindergarten Act are fulfilled.

The right to a place normally starts at the earliest from August in the year the child turns one, depending on the child's date of birth and the applicable rules.

The municipality can also offer kindergarten places to children who do not have a statutory right to a place.

17. How to apply for kindergarten

Parents who want a kindergarten place must apply to the municipality within the application deadline set by the municipality.

Application procedures and deadlines can vary between municipalities.

Contact your municipality or use the municipality's official application system to apply.

Ask the municipality which documents and information are required.

18. Kindergarten and newly arrived children

Kindergarten can help children develop language skills, social skills and familiarity with everyday life in Norway.

Children who have recently arrived may need additional language support and a gradual introduction to kindergarten.

Parents should tell the kindergarten about relevant language, health or other circumstances that may affect the child's participation.

19. Kindergarten fees and financial support

Kindergarten normally has fees, but the applicable rules can provide reduced fees or free core hours for families who meet certain conditions.

The rules and income limits can change.

Ask your municipality or kindergarten about current fees, reduced payment schemes and free core hours.

Do not rely on an old income limit or fee amount because these rules can change.

20. Children's healthcare and vaccination

Children have extensive rights to healthcare in Norway.

Children can receive healthcare through their GP, health centre (helsestasjon), school health service and specialist healthcare when necessary.

Health centres and school health services can provide information about vaccination and preventive healthcare.

If your child has recently arrived in Norway and you are unsure whether vaccinations or health checks are up to date, contact the local health service.

21. If a child needs special support

A child may need additional educational, language, health or social support.

Parents should contact the school, kindergarten, municipality or relevant health service if they are concerned about the child's development, learning, health or wellbeing.

The responsible service should assess the child's needs and explain which support options are available.

22. What parents should do in practice

If you have a child who has recently arrived in Norway:

- contact your municipality about school enrolment; - apply for a kindergarten place if your child is eligible and you want a place; - provide information about the child's previous education; - tell the school or kindergarten about important health or learning needs; - ask for an interpreter when you need one; - ask about Norwegian language support; - ask about school transport if relevant; - use the school health service when your child needs health advice; - notify the school about absence according to its procedures; - keep important school and kindergarten documents; - contact the municipality or county authority if you are unsure which education service applies to your child.

23. Official information

UDI — My application for collective protection has been granted: https://www.udi.no/en/information-ukraine-and-russia/ukraine/i-have-received-an-answer-to-my-application/my-application-for-collective-protection-has-been-granted/

Udir — Regulations for newly arrived pupils and adults: https://www.udir.no/regelverk-og-tilsyn/skole-og-opplaring/regelverk-for-nyankomne-elever-og-voksne/

Udir — Regulations for newly arrived children below school age: https://www.udir.no/regelverk-og-tilsyn/barnehage/regelverk-for-nyankomne-barn-under-skolealder/

Udir — Education for newly arrived young people: https://www.udir.no/regelverk-og-tilsyn/skole-og-opplaring/opplaring-for-nyankomne-ungdom/

Udir — Introductory education: https://www.udir.no/regelverk-og-tilsyn/skole-og-opplaring/innforingsopplaring/

Udir — Special language training for linguistic minorities: https://www.udir.no/regelverkstolkninger/opplaring/Innhold-i-opplaringen/udir-1-2026/vedlegg-1/1-hele-grunnopplaringen/1.5sarskilt-sprakopplaring

IMPORTANT

Rules concerning education, kindergarten places, fees, language support and other services can change. The latest information from UDI, Udir, the municipality and other competent Norwegian authorities always takes priority.

This article provides general information and does not replace an individual assessment by the responsible authority.

Official source: