Marriage, cohabitation, children, parental leave, kindergarten, child welfare and leisure.
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Marriage and cohabitation
In Norway, two adults can marry regardless of gender. The Marriage Act applies equally to couples of different sexes and the same sex, and it has been this way since 2009. To marry you must be at least 18, and both people must say yes of their own free will. Forced marriage is forbidden and punishable. It is not possible to get an exemption from the age limit of 18. You also cannot marry if you are already married.
Many couples in Norway live together without marrying. They are called cohabitants (samboere). Cohabitation is not registered with any public authority, and there is no ceremony. Cohabitants have some rights, for example when they have children together, but not the same rights as married couples. This applies to inheritance and to dividing property when the relationship ends.
It is common to write a cohabitation agreement and a will if you live with someone and own things together. Then it is clear what applies.
Spouses have a duty to support each other and the family according to their means. Neither partner decides over the other. Both have an equal right to work, study and use their own money.
You can marry in a civil ceremony at the district court or the municipality, or in a religious ceremony in a faith community that has the right to perform weddings. A religious wedding only counts as a marriage in Norway if the ceremony follows Norwegian rules.
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Key points
Marriage and cohabitation
You must be 18 to marry in Norway
Both must consent freely; forced marriage is forbidden
Gender-neutral marriage law since 2009
Cohabitants have fewer rights than married couples, especially for inheritance
A cohabitation agreement and a will make rights clear
Separation, mediation and shared care
Divorce usually requires one year of separation
Parents with children under 16 must attend mediation before separation or breakup
Mediation lasts one hour and gives a certificate
Parents usually keep joint parental responsibility after a breakup
NAV can calculate child support
Parental responsibility and children's rights
Parental responsibility lasts until the child turns 18
Married parents and parents living together at birth share parental responsibility
An unmarried father confirms paternity with a declaration of paternity
It is forbidden to hit children in Norway (since 1987)
Children have a right to be heard from age 7, with more weight from age 12
The best interests of the child come first
Parental leave and benefits
Parental benefit requires income in at least 6 of the last 10 months
100 percent pay gives 49 weeks; 80 percent gives 61 weeks and 1 day
Explanation: Cohabitants do not have the same rights as married couples, including for inheritance. That is why many write a will and a cohabitation agreement.
Explanation: Parents usually have a duty to support the child financially until the child turns 18 and becomes an adult. The duty can last longer if the child is in upper secondary school.