Q and A - Membership in the National Insurance Scheme

I am a Norwegian citizen and live in Norway but I am going to work in Russia and other countries for a Norwegian employer. Do I keep my membership of Norwegian National Insurance Scheme?

Answer: As a general rule, membership of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme ceases immediately you start working abroad.

Normally I work in Norway for a Norwegian company. The company wants to send me to Russia for half a year to carry out a job for them there. Will I leave the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme while I am working in Russia?

Answer: If you will be working abroad for less than twelve months and your employer undertakes to pay employer’s contributions in Norway, you will be a member of the National Insurance Scheme during your stay in Russia as well.

I will be studying in Australia. Am I a member of the National Insurance Scheme while I am studying there?

Answer: If you are receiving loans and/or scholarships from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund, you will retain your compulsory membership as a student abroad. If you do not receive loans or scholarships and you reside abroad as a student beyond twelve months, you will not retain your membership of the National Insurance Scheme. In such event, you can apply for voluntary membership of the National Insurance Scheme. You send the application to NAV National Office for Social Insurance Abroad.

I will be studying in an EEA-country. How does this affect my membership?

Answer: If you have been granted a loan and/or scholarship from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund, you will retain your compulsory membership. If you do not receive support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund, but your stay will not last longer than twelve months, you will retain your membership in the National Insurance Scheme. If you will be studying for more than twelve months and will not be receiving support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund, you can apply for voluntary membership of the National Insurance Scheme. You send the application to NAV National Office for Social Insurance Abroad.

I will be moving to the USA and I am receiving old-age pension. Do I retain my membership of the National Insurance Scheme?

Answer: When you move to another country, you do not retain your membership of the National Insurance Scheme. However, you can apply for voluntary membership.

I am moving to Spain, which is an EEA-country. Do I retain my membership of the National Insurance Scheme?

Answer: No, you will not retain your membership of the National Insurance Scheme. This will have consequences for entitlement to health services when visiting Norway. Under Health Services you can read more about how moving abroad may affected entitlement to health services in Norway.

What is the difference between compulsory and voluntary membership?

Answer: Compulsory membership takes effect without application when you are lawfully residing in Norway and you are considered as resident under the National Insurance Act. There are some exceptions to this. You may also be a compulsory member as a student or employee abroad, but this applies only to a restricted group.

Voluntary membership takes effect after application only and only applies to a restricted group. For example, you do not have the right to voluntary membership as a tourist.

I am going round the world for 18 months. Am I considered as resident in Norway during this time so that I retain my compulsory membership of the National Insurance Scheme?

Answer: No, your compulsory membership of the National Insurance Scheme will cease. This applies to stays abroad that last, or are intended to last, for more than twelve months. You will not be able to apply for voluntary membership.