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Note: Norway’s proof-of-funds figure is set nationally by UDI (the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) and updates every academic year — the current 2026/2027 figure, confirmed directly via the University of Oslo’s own residence-permit guidance, is higher than last year’s.
Non-EU/EEA students need a study permit to live in Norway, and part of that application is documenting enough money to live on — separate from and in addition to any tuition fees a full-degree student must pay.
What UDI actually requires
- Two semesters or more (2026/2027 academic year): NOK 170,368
- Autumn 2026 only: NOK 77,440
- Spring 2027 only: NOK 92,928
- A transitional exception applies to some master’s students who applied by 1 December 2025, who can use the lower 2025/2026 figure of NOK 166,859 instead.
This is a living-cost figure only — full-degree students receive a separate tuition invoice that must be paid independently and is not covered by this deposit.
How to prove it
Most students studying through a Norwegian university deposit the required amount into a dedicated student-welfare-organization account (at the University of Oslo, this is the SiO deposit account) rather than simply showing a personal bank statement. Deadlines are strict and tied to your semester: funds are typically due by 15 June for the autumn semester and 1 November for the spring semester, with UDI requiring all supporting documents submitted by 1 July or 1 December respectively for the application to be processed in time for your semester start. Exchange students from countries with a Norwegian visa exemption agreement should not use this deposit account at all — check your specific visa-exemption status first.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to study in Norway?
NOK 170,368 for the full 2026/2027 academic year (two semesters or more), per UDI’s current published figure. Shorter single-semester stays require a lower, semester-specific amount.
Does this cover tuition?
No. This is strictly a living-cost figure. Full-degree students receive tuition fees as a separate invoice, payable within two weeks of receipt, and cannot pay it through the same deposit account used for the living-cost requirement.
Why do different Norwegian universities quote different amounts?
Because the UDI figure is set for a specific academic year and rises annually — a page last updated for 2025/2026 will show a lower, now-outdated number than one updated for 2026/2027. Always check the date on whichever university page you’re reading, or confirm directly on UDI’s own site.
Do exchange students need to deposit funds too?
Not if they come from a country with a visa-exemption agreement with Norway — check your specific eligibility before assuming the deposit requirement applies to you.
Verify details on the official site: University of Oslo — Documenting Your Finances (citing UDI). Figures checked directly on the official page, September 2026 (last modified June 2026); UDI’s figure updates annually, so always confirm the current academic year’s amount before applying.
See the full Proof of Funds Requirements by Country comparison, or check Sweden’s and Denmark’s similarly Nordic requirements.
