How much does it cost to raise a child in Norway: kindergarten, school, extracurricular activities and benefits — a complete breakdown of expenses for 2025

Norway is a beautiful place, but it can be expensive, especially if you're raising children. I'm happy to say that the state covers most of the expenses, which is great news! There's a cap on kindergarten fees, which is really helpful, and discounts for siblings. Plus, there are free textbooks and subsidies for sports clubs! We've put together a list of the 10 most common questions we've received about nursery schools, after-school care, pocket money and special benefits. We hope this will help families understand where their money is going and how they can get some of it back.

How much does kindergarten (barnehage) cost and when is it free?

From January 2025, the 'makpris' 3,000 kr/month will apply for a full week (41 hours+). We are delighted to tell you that the second child will receive a 30% discount, and the third child will be able to attend completely free of charge! Hey, just so you know, if your family's income is below 615,000 kr, you might be eligible for 'gratis kjernetid' — that's 20 hours per week totally free (saving you 1,700 kr a month, which is pretty sweet, right?). It's great to know that all nursery schools in the lovely villages of Finnmark and Nord-Troms are completely free under the 'Distriktsordning' scheme! I'm happy to tell you that the meal allowance is 550 kr in cities and 350 kr in rural municipalities. Hey, just a friendly reminder for parents of little ones aged 13–18 months: don't forget to apply for 'kontantstøtte'! This sweet scheme gives you a payment of 7,500 kr/month to help with nursery costs, so you can enjoy some well-deserved 'me time' while your child is part-time for 0–8 hours/week.

What is SFO/AKS and how much does after-school care cost?

Hey, just so you know, primary school (grades 1–4) offers SFO (AKS in Oslo) until 4 p.m., which is great! The average price is 2,950 kr/month, and for first graders, the first 12 hours/week are free, which is a really nice bonus! Hey, just so you know, there's a 50% discount for families who are on less than 615,000 kr. And that's not all! Snacks, homework and sports are all part of the package. Hey, just a heads-up about savings! If one parent works part-time, the Flex-ording is a great option. You only pay 185 kr per day for the days you actually attend.

And how much does it cost for clubs and sports?

Football club (idrettslag) — 1,200 kr/season, uniform — 600 kr, tournament fee — 450 kr. Hey, so for the music school, it's 1,900 kr for each semester, and that includes a 45-minute lesson each week. Hey, just so you know, if your family's income is below 600,000 kr, you might be eligible for a Fritidskort from NAV. This little card gets you 1,000 kr every year to spend on clubs and other fun activities. And the best part is, this pilot scheme is here to stay, so you'll be enjoying it through 2025 and beyond! Hey, I just thought I'd let you know about this awesome life hack: loads of clubs offer a 'byttemarked', which is basically a free exchange of used uniforms. That means you can save a whopping 1,000 kr a year!

Textbooks, tablets and trips: does the school pay?

Don't worry about buying textbooks, iPads and Chromebooks for Year 1, because they're all provided free of charge. But if you happen to lose your device, there is a small fee of 950 kr. In Year 5, the school and the FAU kindly fund a three-day trip to the mountains, where the kids get to experience the beauty of nature and bond with their classmates. To make these trips extra special, the parents contribute 600 kr for pocket money, adding a touch of warmth and togetherness to the journey. Hey, just so you know, lunch isn't included in the price of upper secondary school (VGS), but don't worry, the canteen has some really nice salads for just 35 kr! Hey, just a friendly reminder that kids under 6 can enjoy a delicious meal in the school canteen for free as part of the Skolemat Pilot 2025 initiative.

Clothing and equipment: how not to break the bank on winter overalls?

The lovely winter set (Didriksons overalls 1,100 kr, boots 800 kr, gloves 300 kr) is just perfect for keeping warm and cosy! Hey, just wanted to let you know about this sweet second-hand option on Finn Torget. It's going for 650 kr, which is a real bargain! The kind-hearted people of the communes make sure that refugees and people who are struggling financially don't have to face the cold in their new homes. They give them a 'Startpakke', which includes two snowsuits, boots and boo-boos. Hey, just so you know, there are these really lovely Tøy-sirk exchange fairs held in Oslo on the first Saturday of every month. It's a great way to find some unique items and support local artists and creators. Come along, bring a thing or two home, and enjoy the vibe!

I totally get it, we all want to know how much pocket money and mobile phone bills should look like. So, how much do you think a teenager needs?

The average 'ulekønn' is 100 kr per week, which is pretty good going! Hey, I totally get it, you want to make sure you're getting the best deal on your mobile phone plan. I'm really happy to tell you that the 'NiceMobil 2 GB' plan is just 99 kr a month! Teenagers are such a lovely bunch! They spend an average of 600 kr per month on cinema and cafés. Hey, just so you know, Oslo Ung-kort gives a 50% discount on concerts, which is great news as it saves you 150 kr. Hey, I just wanted to share a little life hack with you! Have you heard about Sparekonto Barn? It's this really cool account with DNB where parents can set the spending limit and keep an eye on their little ones' transactions.

I know we all need to think about medical expenses, like vaccinations, glasses and dentist trips.

I'm so glad to tell you that all the vaccinations on the calendar are free of charge! Hey, just so you know, from 2022 there'll be a HELFO subsidy of 1,100 kr for glasses for kids with astigmatism over 1.5 D. If you're a dentist and you're up to 19 years old, you'll be pleased to hear that you won't have to pay anything for fillings or basic braces. Hey, just so you know, DNT Barn sports insurance is only 180 kr a year, and it covers mountain and high-risk sports.

And how much does it cost to get to school and to holiday grandmothers?

Hey, just so you know, if you're under 6 years old, you get free PT! And if you're between 6 and 17, you get 50% off! For a 30-day pass on Ruter, it'll cost you 430 kr, and for Skyss, it'll be 468 kr. And if you're in the suburbs and your school is more than 4 km away, don't worry - you can still get a Gratis Skyss! The municipality will cover the school bus costs if there's no PT bus available. Hey, if you're looking to travel within the country and it's less than five hours, then the Intercity Vy 'Ungdom 199' is the perfect choice for you! It's super affordable at just 199 kr.

What financial assistance does the family receive?

Barnetrygd: You'll be pleased to hear that the cost is just 1,726 kr per month for each child aged 0–18.

We have some great news for you about small children (aged 0–6 years). You'll be pleased to hear that it's only +331 kr.

Hey, just so you know, there's some financial support available for 13 to 18 months. I'm so excited to tell you that the cost is just 7,500 kr/month with full 'home' care!

If your mummy is not working when you are born, you will get 90,300 kr. Don't worry - these payments should cover about 50% of the current kindergarten and clubs bill.

Hi there, I just wanted to give you a little insight into the total annual family budget for one child aged three in Oslo.

Absolutely! Norway is definitely up there among the top three countries in terms of prices. And when it comes to children, there are so many amazing benefits and programmes available. I'm so glad to tell you that the state 'price cap' on nurseries, half-price SFO, subsidies for clubs, free healthcare and monthly Barnetrygd turn potentially daunting figures into a manageable family budget. Hey, just thought I'd let you know about some super helpful tips to save you some cash while raising your little one in the happiest place on Earth! First, you can get free public transport, apply for a Fritidskort, and hit up those awesome swap markets to keep clothing costs low. You'll be amazed at how you can raise your child in the most prosperous country in the world without breaking the bank!