Fast bosted (Permanent Residence)

Fast bosted (Permanent Residence) in Norway

Fast bosted is one of the core concepts in Norwegian custody law. It decides who has the authority to make certain day‑to‑day decisions on the child’s behalf (for example daycare, SFO/AKS, and moving within Norway) – it does not automatically decide how many days the child spends with each parent.

Two models: sole residence vs shared permanent residence

Fast bosted hos én forelder (sole permanent residence): the residential parent can make specific “daily-life” decisions alone.
Delt fast bosted (shared permanent residence): parents must agree on the larger “daily-life” decisions. The child still has one registered address in the National Population Register.

Legal framework

Rules on residence and contact are primarily found in the Children Act (Barnelova / Barneloven), especially Chapter 5 and 6. Official guidance from Norwegian authorities explains what “fast bosted” covers and how disputes are handled.

Who decides what?

Authorities typically highlight that the residential arrangement affects:

Domestic relocation (moving within Norway)
Kindergarten / daycare (barnehage)
SFO/AKS and after‑school arrangements
Major practical choices that shape the child’s daily routine

If there is delt fast bosted, these decisions require joint agreement. Separate from this, each parent can decide “everyday care” matters (meals, bedtime, friends, homework routines) while the child is with them.

Address, moving, and the 3‑month notice rule

The child can only have one registered address in the National Population Register. Even with shared permanent residence, the parents must choose which address is registered. If one parent wants to move within Norway with the child, the other parent must be notified in advance. In official guidance, the notice period is three months before the move.

DBN tip: treat relocation notices like a legal deadline. Use written communication, keep timestamps, and store the full thread (email + PDFs).

Do Better Norge perspective

Decision power becomes leverage: when one parent has sole permanent residence, the “daily-life” decision power can be used to gatekeep the other parent (school info, daycare access, activities, medical appointments).
Status quo engineering: relocation + reduced contact can create a “new normal” that later gets framed as “stability” in court.
Documentation beats vibes: courts and agencies respond to paper trails. Keep logs, confirmations, calendars, and screenshots (with dates).

What to document (minimum viable checklist)

All proposals you make for practical co‑parenting (school, activities, health).
Any denial or non‑response (silence matters when it becomes a pattern).
Relocation notices, travel notices, and your written objections (if relevant).
Evidence that you show up: pickups, visits, messages, and follow‑up.

Official resources

Note: This page is educational and advocacy-oriented. For case strategy, seek qualified legal advice.