Switching schools — what the law says and how to apply
The starting point: the local school
Every pupil in compulsory school has the right to attend their local school (nærskolen) — the school that, by objective criteria, is closest to where they live. This is the local-school principle (nærskoleprinsippet), enshrined in Section 8-1 of the Education Act. For more detail, see our dedicated article on the right to your local school and UDIR's guidance on school placement.
In practice, this means parents do not have to apply. The municipality places the child at the local school automatically based on the registered home address.
Free school choice (varies by municipality)
Some municipalities offer "free school choice" (fritt skolevalg) — you can apply for a place at a school other than the local school if there is capacity. It is more common in larger cities (Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim), but the rules vary.
Free school choice is not a statutory right in compulsory school — it is a local arrangement. That also means the school you want can say no if it is full. Local-school pupils within the catchment always have priority.
In upper secondary school (videregående), free school choice within the county is often the rule. The rules for upper-secondary school choice are outside the scope of this article.
How to apply for a school switch
If you want your child to attend a school other than the local one, you must send a formal application to the municipality (often the directorate for education, oppvekstetaten or utdanningsetaten). The application should include:
- The child's name, date of birth, and current school
- The school you want to switch to
- A justification — why you are asking for the switch
Common reasons the municipality will weigh:
- A sibling at the requested school
- Moving (see the next section)
- Academic or social considerations (bullying, special needs)
- A long or difficult walk to the local school
You will typically receive a reply within 3–6 weeks. If the requested school is full, you may end up on a waiting list.
Catchment areas and moving
If the family moves, the child has the right to a new local school in the new area. Remember to notify the municipality and the school in good time. Some municipalities let the child finish the school year at the old school even if you move — especially in years 7 or 10 — but it depends on local practice. If you move within a large city, it can be worth getting to know the new catchment first; see, for example, the school overview in Oslo and the school profile of Nordseter skole as an example of how to investigate a school before you apply.
Catchment boundaries are set by the municipality and can be adjusted over time. If you disagree with how the line is drawn (for example, the municipality has assigned a school that is further away than another), you can appeal. See below.
The right to appeal
If the municipality rejects the application to switch schools, or if they place the child at a school you do not consider the local one, you have the right to appeal. The process is:
- Written appeal to the municipality — deadline: 3 weeks after the decision
- If the municipality upholds its decision, the appeal is forwarded to the County Governor (Statsforvalteren) for the county
- The County Governor may overturn or set aside the municipality's decision
The appeal should be substantiated with concrete arguments. "We don't like the school" is generally not enough. Good reasons include safety, social conditions, or that the municipality has misapplied the local-school principle.
If the case concerns bullying, you have rights under §9A that require fast handling. Contact the head teacher first and consider involving a lawyer if nothing happens.
Practical considerations before applying for a switch
School transport (skoleskyss). If the new school is further away, you usually do not have the right to free transport (transport is only granted to the local school). If the distance to the local school also exceeds the transport threshold (2 km for years 2–10, 1 km for year 1), transport may be granted to the local school — but not to a school of your choice.
Classmates. Switching schools in the middle of a school year is demanding. Many children experience 6–12 weeks of unease before they find new friends. Consider whether it is possible to wait until the summer break.
Continuity. Teachers and curriculum plans differ. Some subjects, especially languages, can be hard to pick up at a different level.
Frequently asked questions
Can a school refuse to take in a child who moves into the catchment? No. The local school must accept every pupil who belongs to the catchment, regardless of class size. If it gets crowded, that is the municipality's problem to solve — not yours.
Does free school choice apply across municipal borders? As a rule, no. Each municipality arranges school places for its own residents. If you want your child to attend a school in another municipality, both municipalities normally have to agree, and the home municipality may be required to cover the cost. In practice, this is difficult and requires special grounds.
How long does it take to process a switch application? Usually 3–6 weeks. If the case is urgent — for example, acute bullying — it should be handled faster. State this clearly in the application and refer to Section 9A of the Education Act.
Can we switch back to the local school if the new school does not work out? Yes. The child always has the right to attend the local school. If you submit a new application, the municipality must give them a place at the local school — that is a statutory right, not an option.
What if the school we want to switch to is a private school? Then the application goes through the private school's own admissions process, not the municipality. Approved private schools must run open admissions; in case of oversubscription, lottery or criteria such as siblings and proximity are typically used. Check the school's admissions rules, which are public.