Can I watch NRK without paying a licence in Norway?
Yes — the old TV licence (broadcasting fee) was abolished on 1 January 2020. NRK is now funded through the state budget and the tax system, not a per-household fee. There is no licence department, no inspectors and nothing to evade. Funding works by reducing the personal tax allowance, so ordinary income tax covers NRK. Those on low income or with a tax exemption card, and minimum pensioners, pay zero. So you need no licence to watch NRK.
📋 The rules
- The TV licence was abolished on 1 January 2020
- NRK is now funded through tax
- No licence department or inspectors
- Funded by reducing the personal tax allowance
- Low income and minimum pensioners pay zero
🔓 Exceptions
- Low income or a tax exemption card means no NRK funding via tax
- Minimum pensioners pay nothing
- Businesses and schools have no separate fee
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no penalty for the public — there is no licence to evade. Any old unpaid licence debt from before 2020 was transferred to the State Collection Agency.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Does the TV licence still exist?
No. It was abolished on 1 January 2020 and replaced by funding through the tax system.
How is NRK funded now?
Through the state budget. The personal tax allowance was reduced, so ordinary income tax covers NRK.
Must everyone pay?
Those on ordinary income contribute via tax. Those on low income, a tax exemption card or minimum pension pay zero.
Do I need a licence to watch NRK?
No. There is no separate licence any more, and nothing to register or evade.
What happened to old licence debt?
Unpaid licence debt from before 2020 was transferred to the State Collection Agency.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “is there still a tv licence norway”
- “nrk fee abolished 2020”
- “nrk funding tax norway”
- “must I pay nrk”
- “tv licence inspector norway”
- “watch nrk without licence”