Resources › Health › User-controlled personal assistance (BPA)
User-controlled personal assistance (BPA)
Draft, translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →
BPA lets you, if you have large and long-term needs for help, control how, when and by whom the help is given. Who is entitled, and how do you apply?
Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 21 September 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.
BPA (user-controlled personal assistance) is a way of organising practical help so that you control who helps you, when and how, instead of the municipality deciding. It is the municipality that provides BPA.
Who is entitled to BPA?
According to Helsenorge, you are entitled to have your services organised as BPA if you:
- are under 67 years old (if you were granted BPA before turning 67, you keep the right),
- have a long-term and extensive need for personal assistance, that is, at least two years,
- need at least 32 hours a week. If the need is between 25 and 32 hours a week, you still have the right unless the municipality can document that BPA would be significantly more expensive than other solutions.
Parents of children under 18 with a disability who live at home may also be entitled.
Even if you are not entitled, the municipality should offer that the services can be organised as BPA.
How to apply
Contact the municipality. The procedure is often described on the municipality's website. The municipality has a duty to give you a written decision, whether or not you are granted it.
If you are refused
- Complain to the municipality.
- If you are not granted it, the case is sent to the County Governor (Statsforvalteren) for a final assessment.
- The Patient and User Ombudsman (Pasient- og brukerombudet) in your county gives free advice and guidance on your rights.
Tip: Describe in your application how many hours of help you need per week, and what the help consists of. Ask your doctor or therapist to confirm the need. See also Respite care and care allowance.
Sources
Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.
This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.