Who owns what in a marriage in Norway?

Separate ownership during the marriage, with the gains shared at the end

Norway's default is a deferred community: each spouse keeps their own property, and on divorce what both own is shared equally, with some exceptions.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

The default, not your case. This page describes what applies when a couple sign no contract. Family law changes, and a court can decide differently on the facts of a case. For a couple with a foreign spouse, take advice in each country involved. This is general information, not legal advice.

What applies by default

Each spouse owns and manages their own property during the marriage.

When the marriage ends in divorce

The property of both spouses is shared equally, with exceptions for property from before the marriage or from an inheritance or gift in certain circumstances.

A marriage contract

A marriage settlement is allowed and must be in writing and registered to be valid against others.

What stays your own, and gifts

Gifts and inheritances can be protected from the sharing.

If one spouse is a foreigner

Norway is not in the EU and does not take part in the EU Matrimonial Property Regulation.

Understand the legal system first

Norway belongs to the Civil law family. Family law grows out of the legal tradition, so it helps to know how the system works.

Read the Norway legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →

Official sources

Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security

TheLawToKnow Tools’s marital property guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the official source or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.