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Start-up loan and grants: when you cannot get a large enough bank loan, or need to adapt your home

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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 can give a start-up loan to people who cannot get a loan, or a large enough loan, from an ordinary bank, with no equity required. Some municipalities also give grants, for example to adapt a home for a disability.

Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 16 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.

A start-up loan (startlån) is a loan from the municipality, funded by the Norwegian State Housing Bank (Husbanken). It is for people who need a safe home but cannot get a loan, or a large enough loan, from an ordinary bank.

Who can get a start-up loan?

According to Husbanken, the municipality can give a start-up loan to people who cannot get a loan or a large enough loan from an ordinary bank. This can, for example, apply if you

• want to buy a home, but have a low income or no savings,
• have a disability and need to adapt your home,
• are older and need a better adapted home to be able to live at home longer.

No equity is required for an ordinary start-up loan. But you must have enough income to pay the loan, alongside other necessary expenses. The municipality assesses the application, and practice can vary between municipalities.

A start-up loan can be used for repairs and adaptations that are necessary for the household to be able to live in the home, but not for ordinary renovation.

Grants

Some municipalities also give grants, which do not have to be paid back. The municipality decides whether it gives grants, and how much.

• Grant for adaptation: for people with a disability and older people who need to adapt their home to stay living there. Both owners and tenants can get it. If you rent, the landlord must approve the work.
• Grants can be given alone, or together with a start-up loan.

How to apply

1. Log in to Husbanken's start-up loan application page with BankID.
2. Choose your municipality. If the municipality has grants, you can tick to apply for one at the same time.
3. If you do not have BankID, or do not want to apply digitally, the municipality or city district can help you.

It is wise to contact the municipality first, especially if you want to apply for a grant.

Tip for adaptations: An occupational therapist or physiotherapist in the municipality can help assess what changes are needed, and the NAV Assistive Technology Centre may have support that can be combined with the start-up loan. Read assistive devices from NAV. If you are struggling to pay rent or housing costs now, see housing benefit and debt counselling.

Sources

• Husbanken. Applying for a start-up loan and grants (Norwegian)
• Husbanken. Grants from the municipality (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.