Søknadsportalen

Søknadsportalen is the term commonly used in Norway to describe an online platform that centralizes the submission of applications for public services. It is used by national agencies and municipalities to provide a single entry point for citizens and organisations to apply for benefits, permits, subsidies, housing, education grants and other government services. The portal aggregates digital forms, supporting documents and decision notices, and it offers features such as saved progress, document uploads, and status tracking.

Users typically authenticate with national eID to access their records securely. Once logged in, applicants fill out forms in a guided, multi-step process, attach supporting documents, and submit applications for review. The portal also provides notifications about deadlines, required documents, and the outcome of applications. In some cases, applicants can appeal decisions or request further information within the same system.

Søknadsportalen is designed with privacy and security as central concerns. It relies on encryption in transit and at rest, access controls based on user roles, and audit trails to ensure accountability. The platform is part of a broader digital government strategy and is intended to be interoperable with other public sector systems, while complying with national data protection regulations.

In terms of accessibility, the portal is typically available in key Norwegian languages and is built to accommodate users with varying levels of digital literacy. It is continually updated to improve usability, accessibility and interagency data sharing, reducing the need for paper-based processes.