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Status and documents
How long protection lasts
Permit for 1 year at a time, extended automatically by UDI (new card by post); collective protection lasts max. 5 years in total. The scheme will not end in 2027; a proposal (Oct 2026) to raise the limit to 7 years is not adopted yet.
Documents
Passport (biometric or not), Ukrainian ID card or other documents (birth certificate, expired passport); without them the police establish identity. Men 18–60 (applications from 5 May 2026): proof of exemption from or unfitness for military service, or sole care of children.
Where and how to apply
Only in Norway: register in person with the police at the National Arrival Centre, Mosseveien 58, Råde (approx. 116 km from Oslo Airport); travel there at your own cost. UDI decides.
Processing time
Most collective-protection applications are processed automatically and answered quickly; if a caseworker handles the case, most get an answer within 4 months.
When protection ends
The permit is not extended if you move abroad or get another permit; it may be revoked after a trip to Ukraine without a valid reason or over 6 months abroad in a year. Max. 5 years in total; since 1 Jul 2026 a refused extension cannot be appealed.
Travel, pets and language
How to get there
No direct routes: bus or car via Poland and Germany/Denmark/Sweden (e.g. FlixBus to Oslo from Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen); flights to Oslo from Poland (Warsaw: Norwegian, LOT) and other EU airports.
Pets
Since 1 Jul 2023 standard rules: microchip, rabies vaccine, antibody blood test, tapeworm treatment (dogs), health certificate; Mattilsynet border check. Otherwise quarantine at owner's cost, return or euthanasia. No pets in arrival/reception centres.
Languages
Norwegian (free courses via the municipality and the introduction programme); English is helpful.
Work, healthcare and education
Right to work
Yes: once collective protection is granted you may work without a separate permit.
Jobs in demand
Health care workers and nurses (largest shortage, NAV 2026), carpenters, electricians and other craftspeople. Ukrainian refugees most often work in sales and services: cleaning, shops, kindergartens and after-school care (SSB).
Healthcare
Yes, public health care (GP, hospitals); user fees capped at NOK 3,278/year (2026), then free. Children under 18 pay no user fees (since 1 Aug 2026).
Kindergarten
Right to a kindergarten place, but not free: max. NOK 1,200/month + food; 20 free hours/week for children aged 2–5 in low-income families; sibling discounts.
School
Yes, public school is free; children have the right to attend school.
Benefits
Housing support
While waiting: free place in a UDI asylum reception centre (private housing at own cost). After the permit IMDi settles you in a municipality that helps find housing; with low income NAV can cover housing costs on top of living support.
One-time payment
None (no fixed one-time payment; extra needs are assessed individually by UDI in reception centres or by NAV).
Monthly allowance for adults
Introduction programme (mandatory since 2026, ages 18–60): benefit 2G = NOK 273,098/year (≈ NOK 22,758/month, taxable; less under 25). Otherwise NAV social assistance, guideline NOK 8,300/month for a single (2026); in reception centres a UDI basic allowance.
Monthly allowance for children
Child benefit (barnetrygd) NOK 2,012/month per child under 18 (from 1 Feb 2026; +NOK 512 in Finnmark/Svalbard) if the family will live in Norway over 12 months. NAV social assistance adds NOK 4,050–5,400/month per child.
Cost of living
Average rent
Average 1-bedroom (2-room) flat, 2025: Oslo approx. NOK 15,260/month; Bergen NOK 11,870; Trondheim NOK 11,850; smaller towns approx. NOK 8,700–9,900 (SSB).
Groceries per person per month
Approx. $820/month per person for food in Oslo (livingcost.org, 2026, partly crowdsourced). NAV's 2026 guideline for basic living costs (food, clothes etc.) is NOK 8,300/month for a single.
Kindergarten fees
Private kindergartens have the same max. price, NOK 1,200/month; food is extra (Oslo municipal kindergartens NOK 320/month, Bergen approx. NOK 375; private ones set their own).
Private school fees
Private (state-funded) schools approx. NOK 1,250–3,600/month (2023–24 data); international schools up to NOK 288,700/year (Oslo International School, 2026/27).
Health insurance cost
Usually not needed: public care with user fees capped at NOK 3,278/year (2026). Private treatment insurance (faster access) is optional; price depends on age and insurer, no reliable average.
Important to know
Important to know
Since 13 Jan 2025 people from 14 oblasts deemed safe (incl. Lviv, Volyn, Zakarpattia, Kyiv oblast but not the city) are assessed individually. Since 5 May 2026 men 18–60 get collective protection only as an exception. A trip to Ukraine can cost you the permit. The 5-year limit is first reached in 2027: the scheme continues; a 7-year limit and a work-based permit are proposed. Collective protection does not lead to permanent residence and, once lost, cannot be regained. UDI: Ukraine
All information is for reference only. Rules and benefits change often, so some of it may be out of date. Always check with official sources before making a decision.
If you spot an inaccuracy, please write to us at howtohelpuacom@gmail.com.