Permanent residency rules: Everything that changes in Norway in June 2025
Parliament to vote on permanent residence rule changes
The Norwegian parliament will vote on changing the Immigration Act to tighten the language rules for permanent residence for some applicants on June 6th.
The bill will mean that applicants for permanent residency will no longer need to document that they have completed mandatory training in Norwegian language and social studies up to the most elementary A1 level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Instead, applicants will need to take a test proving that they can speak Norwegian at the slightly more advanced A2 level, which is defined as the point at which people can understand simple everyday language and express themselves on basic topics.
The rules won't apply to those in Norway under the EEA rules, as they instead get the right of permanent residence, which is slightly different.
The law change will also introduce new limits to family reunification for immigrants with more than one wife and clarifies the legal basis for financial support for return or repatriation.
Deadline to negotiate the revised national budget
The revised national budget must be ready to be presented to parliament by June 13th and must be adopted before the parliament's summer break begins on June 20th.
The current Labour government will need to negotiate with the Centre Party and the Socialist Left Party in order to reach majority support for its fiscal plan.
The Centre Party left government earlier this year over a row on EU directives, while the Socialist Left Party has been Labour's preferred negotiating partner for budgets and major policy
Both the Centre Party and Socialist Left Party have promised tough negotiations.
The Socialist Left Party wants more redistribution of wealth, while the Centre Party wants to cut VAT on food.
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Salmon rivers to open
Salmon rivers in Norway will open for the season during June. The exact opening date may vary from area to area. The salmon season will then run until the end of August.
Norway is considered by many to have some of the world's finest salmon fishing rivers. Those looking to fish must make sure they pay both for the fishing licence and the local fishing fee.
Some rivers may not even open this year due to dwindling fish stocks.
Summer solstice
Saturday, June 21st 2025, will mark the summer solstice in Norway.
In most parts of Norway, you can expect it to remain light hours past midnight. From that day forward, the days in Norway will gradually get shorter until the winter solstice in December.
While the longest days of the year can make it hard to sleep if you don't have a curtain or blind, the extra light is perfect for activities like hiking and jogging after a long day at work. Longer trips are also possible as it won't get dark quite as soon.
The sun will be visible between June 12th and July 1st as the clock strikes midnight in the Arctic Circle.
In Bodø, the midnight sun is visible between June 4th and July 8th.
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The sun is visible in parts of Norway as the earth rotates on a tilted axis relative to the sun. The north pole is angled towards the star, meaning the sun never sets.
School summer holidays
The last day of the school year across much of Norway will be Friday, June 20th, and kids won't return until a new school year begins on Monday, August 18th.
Pride events
Oslo Pride will occur between June 20th and June 28th, and the main parade will occur on June 28th. Oslo Pride is the country's largest LGBTQIA+ celebration. The parade will begin in Grønland.
Bergen Pride will take place between June 13th and June 21st, with a parade and closing concert taking place on the 21st.
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