Norwegian Elections 2025: What internationals living in Norway should know

Confused about Norway’s elections? You’re not alone. Here’s what internationals need to know about the 2025 parliamentary elections: who votes, how parliament and government work, and why the outcome still matters even if you can’t cast a ballot.

The Parliament building in Oslo (Stortinget)

Walking down Karl Johans Gate these past few weeks, you see tents, flyers, and campaigners everywhere. It might look like a street festival, but what you’re really seeing is Norway gearing up for the 2025 parliamentary elections.

For many internationals, the buzz around elections can feel both exciting and confusing. If you’re not a citizen, you can’t vote this year—but the results will still shape your daily life here.

So, what’s actually going on? Let’s break it down.

Who actually gets to vote in these elections?

Parliamentary elections are citizens-only.

In this election, only Norwegian citizens aged 18 or older can cast a ballot. Voting is available through early voting (from 1 July), advance voting (11 August–5 September), or on election day itself (8 September 2025).

If you’ve been a resident for three years or more, you can vote in local elections (the next one is in 2027).

But even if you’re not voting now, don’t tune out completely, because the policies decided at the national level still affect residents too.

How the Norwegian parliamentary elections work

Unlike in the U.S. or France, you don’t vote directly for a Prime Minister. You vote for a party. There are 17 parties running this year (nine main ones, plus smaller players).

Norway’s parliament (Stortinget) has 169 seats. The more votes a party wins, the more seats they get. Parliament makes the laws, approves the national budget, and decides who gets to form the government.

The final results of the elections will likely be decided by coalition-building, as no single party is expected to secure a majority of the 169 seats.

These coalitions aren’t always stable. Earlier this year, the Centre Party left its coalition with Labour over disagreements about an EU bill—shaking up the balance of power and the polls.

Once parliament is elected, they also decide on who forms the government—the Prime Minister and their ministers. It’s the government that runs things day-to-day. Think of it like this: parliament sets the direction, government does the driving.

This is also where “strategic voting” comes in. Some Norwegians cast their vote not for their favorite party, but for a smaller allied one—just to make sure it clears the 4% threshold needed for seats in parliament. The result is less about one winner, more about how the math adds up when coalitions are formed.

I like to think of coalitions as a bit like friend groups in high school: who sits with who at the lunch table.

Understanding the upcoming elections as a foreigner living in Norway

Norway’s 2025 parliamentary elections are coming up—but what do they actually mean, especially if you’re an international living here?

What’s at stake in 2025?

The 2025 election is shaping up to be one of Norway’s closest in years. Recent polls show the centre-left bloc (led by current Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s Labour Party) neck-and-neck with the centre-right (Høyre + Progress Party).

Major issues include:

• Taxes: who should pay more, who should pay less

• Schools: how much authority teachers should have in classrooms

• Crime: especially gang-related violence in Oslo

• International issues: including Norway’s position on Ukraine and Palestine

• The Sovereign Wealth Fund: debates about ethical investments, especially in Israel

Interestingly, climate change, which dominated the 2021 election, has slipped down the agenda this time.

A surprise figure in this election has been Jens Stoltenberg, Norway’s former NATO chief and now Finance Minister, who returned to national politics to campaign for Labour. His presence, dubbed “Stoltenback,” has boosted Labour’s momentum.

Why it matters (even if you can’t vote!)

You might not have a ballot this September, but the outcome of the election still affects your life in Norway. Parliament’s decisions ripple through everyone’s day-to-day:

• Taxes & cost of living: Parliament decides VAT, income tax brackets, and subsidies. This shapes your paycheck and grocery bill.

• Immigration rules: The results of these elections can mean changes to permanent residency requirements, family reunification, or asylum policy come from government decisions.

• Schools & childcare: If you have kids here, policies around public schools and barnehage funding are impacted by national politics.

• Public transport & healthcare: Budgets for trains, buses, or health services come directly from the Storting.

And remember: even Norwegians admit that their system can be confusing, and there are a lot of difficult topics up for debate. So if you feel like “the math is kinda mathing, but not really,” you’re not alone!

How to follow along like a local.

The results of the election will be announced on the evening of 8 September. Norwegians love their valgkveld (election night), so here’s how you can make the most of it:

• Stay tuned to NRK or TV2 for regular updates. Tip: download the apps on your phone to watch from anywhere!

• Join viewing parties hosted by student unions, bars, or political groups.

You can also learn more from the following resources:

• NRK’s Valgomat quiz – helps you see which parties align with your views (though take it with a pinch of salt, especially if you’re using a translator tool or don’t know a lot about the issues being debated).

• TheLocal.no – election coverage in English.

• “Unlock Partiprogrammet” – a special episode of the PartiProgrammet podcast in English (with Gabriella asking the questions!) for those who want to understand the upcoming elections betters.

TLDR; The upcoming Parliamentary elections on 8 September will determine Norway’s next Prime Minister and which party or parties run the government. Norwegian elections aren’t just about who wins the most votes, they’re about coalitions, strategy, and the small shifts that can swing the balance of power. Whether you’re watching from the sidelines or voting for the first time, this election will shape Norway’s future for years to come.