Expert: Roy Helge Rasmussen - 10/12/2009

Question
Dear Roy:
I have been told by a friend and fellow Norwegian that Norway is now allowing dual citizenship under certain conditions. I was told that 1. if I can prove I am of Norwegian descent and 2. That there is no reason I should be denied citizenship (i.e. a criminal record or other reason) that Norway would welcome me as a dual citizen. Can you help me in terms of finding my way to that procedure and opportunity please? Thanks, Court Thompson

Answer
Just proving norwegian descent does not help you much. If one of your parents were norwegian at the time of your birth, you will be given preferential treatment, and you could probably in most cases aquire norwegian citizenship rather easily - as long as you relinquish your other citizenships or try hard to do so at least.

The only way you can retain dual citizenship is if it is impossible to relinquish your previous nationality. Some countries flatly deny you to relinquish your citizenship and if you can prove that, the norwegian citizenship will not be voided after your one year grace period for getting rid of previous affiliations.

Actually, according to the letter of the law, you have to relinquish your old citizenship previously to accepting a norwegian one. But most countries will flatly refuse to let you go unless you allready are a citizen somewhere else - including norway. So they had to ease up on that one.

If none of your parents were norwegian at the time of your birth, no amount of geneaology will help you. The only way to aquire citizenship then is by living here for 7 years and then apply.