How much is barnetrygd in 2026?
From 1 February 2026 the ordinary barnetrygd is:
2012 NOK per month for each child from birth until the age of 18.
There are no longer different rates for children under and over six years old. The benefit is tax-free.
Check the current barnetrygd rate at NAV
Barnetrygd is payable from the month following the child's birth or from the month after the conditions are met if the right arose later. Payments end in the month before the child's 18th birthday.
STEP 1. Check whether you need to submit an application
If the child was born in Norway and the family is properly registered in Folkeregisteret, NAV in most ordinary cases grants barnetrygd automatically. NAV states that for children born in Norway the benefit is usually granted no later than within two months of birth.
An application will be needed, among other times, when:
the child lives or previously lived abroad,
one of the parents works in another EEA country,
the child is not registered in Norway,
you are applying for the benefit based on EEA rules,
you want to receive
utvidet barnetrygd.
STEP 2. If the child lives in Poland, do not assume that you are not entitled to the benefit
This is especially important for Poles.
If you are a citizen of an EEA country and work in Norway, you may be entitled to the Norwegian barnetrygd even if the child lives in Poland. Poland is covered by the EEA coordination rules for social security.
However, which country pays the benefit first depends on the situation of both parents.
If the other parent works in Poland and is entitled to a family benefit there, Norway may pay the difference between the Norwegian and Polish benefits.
If the parent living with the child in Poland does not work and does not receive a benefit treated as employment, Norway may be the country responsible for full payment.
Therefore there is no single rule like: “I work in Norway, so I always receive the full 2012 NOK”.
NAV assesses the situation of the whole family.
STEP 3. Prepare documents for an EEA case
If the child is not registered in the Norwegian Folkeregisteret, NAV may require, among other things:
the child's birth certificate,
identification numbers and addresses of the parents and the child in Poland,
employment contract in Norway,
information about the other parent's employment,
information about family benefits claimed in Poland.
NAV may also itself contact Polish institutions to confirm information. For this reason EEA cases often take longer than ordinary domestic cases.
A single parent may receive more
If you are raising a child alone, you may be entitled to utvidet barnetrygd.
From 1 February 2026 it amounts to:
2572 NOK per month.
This is a supplement paid in addition to the regular barnetrygd, but only one regardless of the number of children.
Example: a single parent with two children may receive:
2 × 2012 NOK regular barnetrygd + 2572 NOK utvidet barnetrygd = 6596 NOK per month, if they meet the conditions for full benefits.
An application is required for utvidet barnetrygd.
Check utvidet barnetrygd at NAV
Who can receive utvidet barnetrygd?
NAV can grant the extended benefit, among others, to a person who lives alone with a child and is:
not married and not living with the other parent,
separated or divorced,
a widow or widower,
or is effectively separated for at least 6 months.
In the case of the breakdown of a partnership, when the parents have a common child under 16 years old, NAV may require a meklingsattest, that is, a mediation certificate.
What is småbarnstillegg?
Do not confuse it with the regular barnetrygd.
Småbarnstillegg amounts from 1 February 2026 to:
712 NOK per month.
It can be received by a person raising a child alone aged 0–3 years, who at the same time receives full overgangsstønad and utvidet barnetrygd. NAV grants this supplement automatically if the conditions are met.
Additional 512 NOK in northern Norway
From February 2026 there is also the Finnmark- og Svalbardtillegg in the amount of:
512 NOK per month per child.
It is granted to families where both the parent and the child live on Svalbard, in Finnmark or in certain municipalities of Nord-Troms. NAV grants this supplement automatically based on the address in Folkeregisteret.
Separated parents can split the barnetrygd
If the child has delt fast bosted, meaning formally resides permanently with both parents, the barnetrygd can be divided.
A written agreement confirming such living arrangements of the child is required. The mere fact that the child regularly stays overnight with the other parent does not automatically mean delt fast bosted.
How far back can you receive payments?
Regular barnetrygd can generally be paid retroactively for a maximum of 3 months from the date of application, if the conditions were met during that period.
In special cases NAV may pay the benefit up to 3 years retroactively, e.g. when the person received incorrect information from NAV.
Therefore, if the child lives in Poland and you suspect you are entitled to the Norwegian benefit, it is not worth postponing the application for many months.
Has the family's situation changed? Inform NAV
Inform NAV, among other times, when the child moves out, the family plans a longer stay abroad or the parent's employment changes in Poland or another EEA country.
For utvidet barnetrygd you must also report marriage, starting cohabitation with a partner and other changes affecting the status of a single parent.
Simply: what to do?
Was the child born and living in Norway? First check whether NAV has granted barnetrygd automatically.
Does the child live in Poland? Submit an application under EEA rules and state the employment situation of both parents.
Raising a child alone? Also check utvidet barnetrygd.
Do you have a child under 3 years old and receive full overgangsstønad? Check whether NAV also pays småbarnstillegg.
You don't have to guess which benefit you are entitled to. The most important thing is to correctly present the entire family's situation to NAV.
Information checked: 25 September 2026.
Sources
NAV – Barnetrygd, current rates, national rules and EEA.
NAV – utvidet barnetrygd, rules for single parents and småbarnstillegg.
NAV – Regelendringer og satser fra 2026, official s
