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Is prostitution legal in Norway?

The ban on buying sex, the penalty and who it applies to.

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Short answer

Selling sex is not a crime in Norway, but buying sexual services has been punishable since 2009, with a fine or up to one year in prison. The ban covers any purchase made in Norway. Norwegian citizens and residents can also be punished for buying sex abroad. Renting out premises used for selling sex is a separate offence.

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Why

  1. Section 316 of the Penal Code (straffeloven) covers buying sexual services from adults, and the Supreme Court describes its penalty range as a fine or up to one year in prison.
  2. Buying sex from someone under 18 falls under section 309, where the penalty is a fine or up to two years in prison.
  3. Section 315 makes it a crime to rent out premises that are used for selling sexual services.

Details

The law punishes the buyer, not the person who sells. When the Storting passed the ban, it was written to cover purchases both in Norway and abroad, and for Norwegian citizens and residents the ban applies to purchases in other countries too. In March 2026, four members of the Storting proposed a public review of the rules on buying sex and pimping, but a proposal does not change the law by itself.

Tip

If you see signs that someone is being exploited or trafficked, call the police on 02800, or on 112 if it is urgent.

What may differ

For Norwegian citizens and people who live in Norway, buying sex abroad is also punishable, even in a country where it is legal.

Common misconception

Prostitution is illegal in Norway.

What actually happens

Selling sex is legal. What is punishable is buying sex and renting out premises used for selling sex.

People also ask

  • Is it legal to buy sex in Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Lovdata, the official law database, before you travel.

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