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SFO for children with special needs: free in years 5 to 7
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 →
The municipality must offer SFO (after-school care) for children with special needs all the way to year 7, and in years 5 to 7 it must be free, also in the holidays if the municipality has SFO then.
Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 16 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.
For most children, SFO (skolefritidsordning, after-school care) ends after year 4. But for children with special needs, for example because of a disability, the municipality must offer SFO up to and including year 7. This can be crucial for parents to be able to work.
Free in years 5 to 7
According to the Education Regulation § 2-3, SFO for pupils with special needs in years 5 to 7 must be free.
- If the municipality has SFO in the holidays, that must also be free.
- The municipality can still charge for food.
- The municipality must not make a new, separate assessment of whether the child has special needs before giving a free place.
Good to know
- According to Udir, pupils do not have a right to a place in SFO. The municipality must have an offer, but admission follows the municipality's regulations. So apply in good time.
- Parents with low incomes may also be entitled to reduced parental payment in the years when SFO is not free.
- The child may need adaptation or extra adults in SFO. Talk to the school about what the child needs, and ask for it to be written down.
If the municipality says no
Ask for the refusal in writing, with reasons. Read appealing municipal decisions.
Tip: Check the SFO regulations on the municipality's website. See also respite care and care allowance and attendance benefit if caring at home is heavy.
Sources
- Udir. Education Regulation § 2-3, free SFO for pupils with special needs in years 5 to 7 (Norwegian)
- Udir. Reduced payment schemes in SFO (Norwegian)
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.