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Compensation for victims of violence: compensation from the state after violence or abuse

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 →

If you have been subjected to violence or a sexual offence, you can apply for compensation from the state. The act must have been reported to the police, and there are deadlines. What is covered, and how to appeal.

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

The Norwegian Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (Kontoret for voldsoffererstatning) handles applications and pays compensation from the state to people who have been subjected to violent and sexual offences. The state pays you, and can then claim the money back from the person who committed the violence.

What can be covered?

According to the authority, the compensation can cover both physical and psychological injuries:

redress (oppreisning), compensation for pain and suffering,
financial loss you have had or will have, for example lost income or expenses.

The conditions

The act must have been reported to the police. According to the authority, there are no exceptions to this.
The criminal case must be concluded. This can also mean the case was dropped.
You must have the status of aggrieved party in the criminal case.
The act must be clearly probable. This is a lower standard of proof than in the criminal case, so you may be entitled even if no one was convicted.
You must have helped with the investigation. Otherwise the application may be refused.

Surviving relatives of someone who died, and children who have experienced violence against someone close to them, may also be entitled under separate rules.

The deadline

According to the Violent Crime Compensation Act, as a main rule you must apply within one year after the criminal case was finally decided (for example dropped, or a final judgment). If compensation has already been awarded in a judgment, you must claim payment within six months after the judgment became final. Separate rules apply to children. If you are unsure, contact the authority in good time.

How to apply

You can take the authority's compensation test on voldsoffererstatning.no to see whether you may be entitled. You send the application via the website. If you have a counsel for the aggrieved party (bistandsadvokat) in the criminal case, the lawyer can help you apply.

The authority's phone number is 78 98 95 00 (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 12:00 to 14:00).

If you are refused

You can appeal within three weeks of receiving the decision. If the authority does not change the decision, the appeal goes on to the Norwegian Civil Affairs Authority (Sivilrettsforvaltningen). You may be entitled to have lawyer costs for the appeal covered.

Tip: Keep receipts, medical certificates and documentation of lost income. If you need help right now, see violence in close relationships and free legal aid.

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.