How to
Applying for pension from Nav when living outside Norway
If you have previously lived og worked in Norway, you are generally entitled to retirement pension from Nav.
How much can you receive in retirement pension from Nav
Your income has the greatest impact on your retirement pension. Here are important factors that affect how much you can receive:
- How many years you have lived or worked in Norway after the age of 16
- Your income
- When you choose to start receiving your pension
- Your year of birth
Have you earned pension rights in other countries?
Nav calculates and pays your Norwegian retirement pension based on your earnings in Norway. Pensions from other countries are paid directly to you by the pension authorities in those countries. Pensions from other countries do not affect the amount of Norwegian pension you can receive.
Check how much you can expect to receive from Nav
If you can log in using BankID, Buypass, or Commfides, you can try Nav’s pension calculator (service in Norwegian). It shows you what you can expect to receive in Norwegian retirement pension.
It is important to enter information about your residence and work in Norway and other countries to ensure accurate calculations.
Cannot log in to Nav?
If you cannot log in to Nav’s pension calculator, you can use a calculator without login (service in Norwegian). You will need to enter the data yourself. This service provides a simplified estimate of your retirement pension from Nav.
Have you lived or worked less than 5 years in Norway?
Then you cannot use Nav’s pension calculator.
Do you need help?
If you cannot use the pension calculator or are unsure whether you are entitled to a pension from Nav, you can contact Nav to find out what you are eligible for.
When can you start receiving Norwegian retirement pension?
The standard retirement age in Norway is 67.
If you have sufficient earnings, you may be entitled to a pension from Nav from the age of 62 at the earliest. You can check the earliest possible retirement age in the pension calculator (service in Norwegian).
The earlier you start receiving your pension, the lower your monthly payments will be. This is because your earned pension is spread over more years.
How to apply
Are you still living in Norway? See how to apply for a pension:
If you work in Norway but live in another country, you must send your retirement pension application to Nav.
If you cannot log in at nav.no, you can send your application by post.
The general rule is that you can move betweenEU/EEA countries without losing your pension rights. You must apply to receive your pension payments.
The EEA consists of the 27 EU member states and the three EFTA countries: Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Switzerland and the United Kingdom are not EEA countries, but the social security rules in the EEA agreement generally still apply.
You can find a complete overview of the areas where EEA rules apply in the circular to the EEA agreement’s provisions on social security, Chapter 1, No. 3 (Lovdata.no, in Norwegian).
Where you should apply for a retirement pension from Nav depends on the last country you worked in and earned pension rights.
Is the country you currently live in also the last country you worked in?
Then you should apply for a retirement pension from Nav through the pension authorities in the country where you live.
You must contact the pension authorities in your country of residence if you have questions about the timing and deadline for applying for a pension.
When applying, you must inform them that you have lived or worked in Norway previously and specify the relevant periods.
The pension authorities in the country where you live or work will forward your application to Nav. We will contact you once we have received your application and let you know what information we need to process it.
Was Norway the last country you worked in?
If Norway was the last country you worked in or earned pension rights in, you should send your application directly to Nav.
Norway has social security agreements with many countries outside the EU/EEA. The general rule is that you can move between these agreement countries without losing your pension rights.
Find the country you live in to see how to apply for a Norwegian pension from Nav:
You can choose whether to send your application directly to Nav or apply through the Australian pension authorities.
Exception: If Norway is the last country you worked in, you must apply for a pension directly from Nav.
Applying directly to Nav
If you want to apply directly to Nav, you need to fill out and submit the application for a retirement pension from Nav.
If you have also earned pension rights in Australia and want to apply for an Australian pension at the same time, you must notify us in writing. We will then send you the correct forms and the information you need to apply for a pension from Australia.
Applying through Australia
Check the website of the Australian pension authorities at servicesaustralia.gov.au or contact them if you have questions about how to proceed.
The Australian pension authorities will forward your application to Nav. We will contact you once we have received it and let you know what information we need to process your application.
You must apply for a Norwegian pension through the pension authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They will forward your application to Nav.
Check the website of the pension authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina at https://www.fzmiopio.ba or contact them if you have questions about how to apply.
We will contact you once we have received your application and let you know what information we need to process it.
Exception: If Norway is the last country you worked in, you must apply directly to Nav.
You must apply for a Norwegian pension through the pension authorities in Canada. They will forward your application to Nav.
Check the website of the Canadian pension authorities at https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions or contact them if you have questions about how to apply.
See separate information if you live in Quebec.
We will contact you once we have received your application and let you know what information we need to process it.
Exception: If Norway is the last country you worked in, you must apply directly to Nav.
You must apply for a Norwegian pension through the pension authorities in Chile. They will forward your application to Nav.
Check the website of the Chilean pension authorities at https://www.chileatiende.gob.cl/fichas/102077 or contact them if you have questions about how to apply.
We will contact you once we have received your application and let you know what information we need to process it.
India
You must apply for a Norwegian pension through the pension authorities in India. See https://www.epfindia.gov.in. They will forward your application to Nav.
You need to complete the form: “Form 10-D: Application for monthly pension.”
Remember to attach a revenue stamp to your application.
Before submitting the form, you must obtain a 1 Rupee Revenue Stamp from a post office in India. Make sure to sign the stamp and attach it to the application form.
The stamp confirms that you have paid the document fee, and your application will not be processed without it.
Exception: If Norway is the last country you worked in, you must apply directly to Nav.
You must apply for a Norwegian pension through the pension authorities in Israel. They will forward your application to Nav.
Check the website of the Israeli pension authorities at https://www.btl.gov.il or contact them if you have questions about how to apply.
We will contact you once we have received your application and let you know what information we need to process it.
You must apply for a Norwegian pension through the pension authorities in Montenegro. They will forward your application to Nav.
Contact the pension authorities in Montenegro at https://www.fondpio.me if you have questions about how to apply.
We will contact you once we have received your application and let you know what information we need to process it.
You must apply for a Norwegian pension through the pension authorities in Quebec. They will forward your application to Nav.
Check the website of the pension authorities in Quebec at https://www.retraitequebec.gouv.qc.ca/en or contact them if you have questions about how to apply.
We will contact you once we have received your application and let you know what information we need to process it.
You must apply for a Norwegian pension through the pension authorities in Serbia. They will forward your application to Nav.
Check the website of the pension authorities in Serbia at https://www.pio.rs/ or contact them if you have questions about how to proceed with your application.
We will contact you once we have received your application and let you know what information we need to process it.
You must apply for a Norwegian pension through the pension authorities in South Korea (Republic of Korea). They will forward your application to Nav.
Check the website of the pension authorities in South Korea at https://www.nps.or.kr/main.do or contact them if you have questions about how to proceed with your application.
We will contact you once we have received your application and let you know what information we need to process it.
If you live in Turkey and want to apply for a Norwegian retirement pension, the procedure is optional.
You can either apply directly to Nav or contact the Turkish pension authorities yourself to have your application forwarded to Norway.
If you live in the USA and want to apply for a Norwegian pension, you must send a special application form to Nav by regular mail.
This form is not available on our website. You need to contact us so we can send you the correct form.
Once you have completed the form, return it to:
Nav Pension, P.O. Box 6600 Etterstad, 0607 OSLO, Norway
Check the website of the pension authorities in the USA at https://www.ssa.gov/retirement or contact them if you have questions about pensions from the USA.
If you live in a country outside the EU/EEA that does not have a social security agreement with Norway, you must send your application for a Norwegian retirement pension to Nav.
If you also wish to apply for a pension in the country where you live, you must submit a separate application to the relevant authorities there.
To help speed up the application process, you should include a detailed description of where and when you worked in Norway. We also need documentation of your marital status.
- If you are married or living with a partner, you must send a copy of their passport.
- If you are married and the marriage is not registered in the Norwegian National Population Register, you must send a copy of your marriage certificate. You also need to provide information about your spouse’s income.
If your spouse or partner’s annual income is lower than twice the National Insurance basic amount (currently NOK 260,320), you must submit documentation showing their actual income. This applies to current income and pension, even if your spouse or partner has never worked in Norway or is not currently working.
If you are applying through the country where you live
You must contact the pension authorities in your country if you have questions about the application process or when to apply.
If you are applying directly to Nav
You can submit your application 6 months before you want to start receiving your pension. If you can log in to nav.no (service in Norwegian), you can apply 4 months in advance.
Retirement pension from Nav is paid starting from the month after we receive your application, at the earliest. You cannot apply retroactively.
When will you receive a response to your application?
If you live abroad, the processing time will be longer. This is because your application must be handled both by Nav and the authorities in the other country.
What if your case is not ready by the time you requested to start your pension?
If you are entitled to a pension, you will receive back payment from the date you applied to start receiving it.
The expected processing time is up to 6 months from the date we receive your application until a decision is made.
Payments and taxes
Payments from Nav
Nav only pays retirement pension based on the pension rights you have earned in Norway.
Generally, Nav pays to a Norwegian bank account. This is the simplest and fastest way to receive your pension.
If you do not have a Norwegian bank account, the payment can be made to a bank in the country where you live.
You must ensure that Nav has your correct account number. If you can log in to nav.no (service in Norwegian), you can check and update your account number there.
Learn more about how to receive pension payments from Nav when living outside Norway:
When will I receive the payment?
If your payment from Nav is sent to a bank account abroad, you can expect to receive the money 1 to 2 days later than the payment date for a Norwegian account.
The dates shown in the payment overview apply to payments made to a Norwegian bank account.
Please be aware that these dates are when Nav guarantees you will have the money in your account.
Payments from the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund are paid at the same time as payments from Nav.
| Payment dates in 2026 |
|---|
| 20. January |
| 20. February |
| 20. March |
| 20. April |
| 15. May |
| 19. June |
| 20. July |
| 20. August |
| 18. September |
| 20. October |
| 20. November |
| 11. December |
Pension from countries other than Norway
If you receive a pension from another country, that country is responsible for calculating and paying your pension.
If you have questions about pension payments from countries other than Norway, you must contact the pension authorities in the relevant country.
Tax on pension from Nav
If you live permanently abroad and receive a pension from Norway, special tax rules apply. The general rule is that a 15 percent withholding tax is applied to retirement pension from Nav.
Different rules apply depending on the country you live in. There are also separate rules for taxation of pensions that do not come from Nav.
Therefore, you should check with the Norwegian Tax Administration to find out what applies to your situation.
Do you still live in Norway?
You can normally keep your retirement pension if you move abroad.
Are you planning to stay more than 12 months abroad, or do you switch between stays in Norway and abroad?
If so, it is important that you learn how this could affect your pension, your membership in the National Insurance Scheme and your right to health services in Norway and abroad.
The retirement pension you have earned in Norway is paid monthly once you reach the standard retirement age of 67 and apply for the pension.
It is not possible to receive your pension savings as a lump sum when moving from Norway.
Do you have pension savings from providers other than Nav? Then you should contact your pension provider to check their rules for transferring earned pension abroad.
If you move from Norway to another country, you must:
- Notify Nav. If you cannot report the move digitally, you can call us at +47 55 55 33 34.
- Notify the Norwegian National Population Register (skatteetaten.no).
- Order a new tax card (skatteetaten.no).
You must also report if you move back to Norway or to a different country than the one you currently live in.
What does the law say?
Social security agreements (in Norwegian, lovdata.no)
Do you have questions?
If you have questions about pension, processing, or payments from countries other than Norway, you must contact the pension authorities in that country.
If you have questions about Norwegian pension from Nav, you’ll find contact information below.
Updated 12/15/2025
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