The Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion issued instructions clarifying the treatment of Palestinian applicants under the Norwegian Nationality Act following Norway’s recognition of Palestine. Applicants registered in the civil registry in the West Bank, Gaza or East Jerusalem and assigned a nine-digit personal identity number are generally considered Palestinian citizens rather than stateless persons.
However, three groups will generally continue to be considered stateless unless they are entitled to another citizenship: children born abroad to Palestinian parents who are not registered in the civil registry; Palestinians residing in other countries without a formal connection to Palestine; and Palestinians living in East Jerusalem.
Approximately 120 applicants previously considered stateless may therefore no longer qualify as such.
Therefore, Palestinian citizens are not covered by the special provisions of the Nationality Act for stateless persons or Instruction G-08/2016. However, under Section 19 of the Nationality Act, applicants who applied for citizenship before 28 May 2024 are exempted and have their applications processed as if they remain stateless.
- Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion | Arbeids- og inkluderingsdepartementet (14 October, 2026), Instruks AI-4/2026 Avklaring av praksis etter Norges anerkjennelse av Palestina [Instruction AI-4/2026 Clarification of practice following Norway's recognition of Palestine],