You do not need to have a new home lined up before you leave. Crisis centres take in women, men and children for free, and the municipality must help you find somewhere to stay for now.
This is general information, not legal advice. Each service was checked against its own website on 6 November 2026. Rules change: read what the service itself says before you decide.
Who can help
Crisis centre (krisesenter)
A safe place to stay for a limited time, plus support, advice and help with other services. You can get help even if you do not stay there. It is free.
Who it is for For women, men and children facing violence or abuse from a partner, family member or someone close. It does not have to be an emergency.
First step Contact a crisis centre directly. You need no appointment or referral, and you can stay anonymous when you get in touch.
Temporary (emergency) accommodation from Nav
Help from Nav to find somewhere temporary to stay when you have nowhere to sleep and stay for the next 24 hours.
Who it is for Anyone with nowhere to sleep and stay for the next 24 hours, also if you are staying with family or friends for now. Nav must help if you cannot find a place yourself.
First step Contact your local Nav office, or the Nav office where you are staying.
Help from Nav to find a permanent home
Nav can help you find a home to rent, apply for municipal housing (kommunal bolig) and apply for help with a rental deposit.
Who it is for For people who cannot find suitable housing for financial, social, health or other reasons.
First step Contact your Nav office. If you need help from Nav with rent or a deposit, agree this with Nav before you sign a rental agreement.
Housing allowance from Husbanken (bostøtte)
A monthly grant from the state for people with low income and high housing costs. The amount depends on your household's income and housing costs.
Who it is for People over 18 (or under 18 with children) whose household income is below the limit, living in an approved home with its own entrance, bathroom and kitchen.
First step Check the housing allowance calculator, then apply online with electronic ID. If you need help, contact your municipality.
Start-up loan from your municipality (startlån)
A home loan from your municipality to buy or adapt a home, for people who have long-term difficulty getting a mortgage from a regular bank.
Who it is for For example families with children who need a stable, secure home. You need enough income to pay the loan. The municipality decides.
First step Apply online with electronic ID through Husbanken's start-up loan page, or contact your municipality for help to apply.
Numbers
Find your crisis centre
Each crisis centre has its own 24-hour number. By law they must take in women, men and children — free, no referral needed.
24/7, all year (required by law).
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Other topics
- Money to live on in NorwayHelp with money when you leave an abusive partner in Norway: Nav social assistance, help in an emergency, single-parent support, child support and free debt advice.
- Free legal help in NorwayFree or low-cost legal help in Norway when you live with violence: free legal aid, a victim's lawyer, and the student-run legal clinics JURK, Jussbuss, Jussformidlingen and Jusshjelpa.
- The police and protection in NorwayReporting violence in Norway, restraining orders, a personal alarm, a protected address, the Support Centre for Victims of Crime and compensation for victims of violence.
- Children, custody and contact in NorwayHelp for children and parents after violence in Norway: family counselling offices and mediation, Statens barnehus, child welfare services and supervised contact.
- Your residence permit if you leave in NorwayIf your residence permit in Norway depends on your partner: the UDI rule for people who have been abused, crisis centres for everyone, and your right to an interpreter.
- Health care and help after sexual assault in NorwayHealth care after violence in Norway: the out-of-hours medical centre, sexual assault centres, your GP, and support centres for people who have been sexually abused.
- Help for particular groups in NorwayHelp in Norway for men, LGBTQ+ people, older people, disabled people, Sámi people and people facing forced marriage or negative social control.