Norway faces funding gap for Norwegian language training

A new report from the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) reveals a significant funding gap for Norwegian language training in municipalities. In 2025, state subsidies covered only 71.5 percent of the calculated costs for Norwegian and social studies instruction, marking an 11.6 percentage point decrease from the previous year. This contrasts sharply with integration subsidies for refugee settlement, which covered 96.7 percent of municipal expenses.

While the decrease is partly attributed to fewer refugees being settled in Norway compared to the previous year, officials note that language training funding has remained low for several years.

In response to debates regarding language requirements in the workforce, NHO Reiseliv has expressed concerns that overly strict language thresholds could hinder integration. They argue that the workplace serves as a vital arena for language acquisition and that the tourism sector is a major employer for newcomers, including Ukrainians. They advocate for targeted requirements that balance the need for Norwegian proficiency with the necessity of attracting international talent to remain competitive.