How to Help Ukraine
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Information for Ukrainian refugees in Norway

1-year permits, extended automatically; up to 5 years in total (a longer limit is proposed)

Information checked in October–November 2026.

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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

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.
Documents, consulates, legal helpThe same in every country: e-Consul, Diia, free legal aid, a psychologist.

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.