Søgne Municipality offer services in these categories (Links to information i norwegian):
Day care
There are many types of day care for pre-school children in Søgne Municipality, ranging from full-time services five days a week to open centres where parents can drop in with their children on a voluntary basis. The municipality coordinates the selection process for placement in all private and municipal daycares, as well as the "family pre-schools", which are based in private homes.
Schools
As a resident of Søgne your child has the right to attend the school in the school district in which you reside. Parents also have the right to apply for admission to any other school within the municipality, though placement is then conditional on the given school's capacity at the time. For children from 1st to 4th grades, all municipal primary schools provide an after-school activity programme for children on the school premises (called SFO in Norwegian).
Health
Health care services in Søgne Municipality compromise principally Sørlandets sykehus Kristiansand, one municipal health clinics, a maternity care centre, as well as a range of other services such as physiotherapy, ergotherapy, rehabilitation, detoxification and psychological health care. All residents of the municipality have the right to a personal doctor. New residents of the municipality must register with Office for Personal Doctors on Tel. 810 59 500 to be assigned a personal doctor.
Norwegian language training
For newcomers to Norway residing in Søgne, Norwegian language instruction is available at Birkelid læringssenter. Refugees, asylum seekers and family members of Norwegian citizens have the right to at least 300 hours of free language instruction.
Building and renovating
If you are planning to build or renovate a house, you will require approval of your plan from Søgne Municipality before you can proceed, and should therefore become familiar with the relevant municipal rules and regulations. It is recommended that you have your plan checked by an architect or engineer before you submit it to avoid wasting time in the application process. The municipality is obliged to respond to applications within a certain time period; this varies depending on the type of application.
Please contact the Service Centre, Tel. 38 05 55 55, for further information.
Garbage collection and recycling
Regular and recycled garbage is collected from private homes and businesses once a week. Paper garbage is collected once every four weeks. Click here for collection dates in your neighbourhood.
Culture, sports and recreation
Søgne Municipality offers a wide variety of cultural, sports and recreation possibilities. Please contact Søgne gamle prestegård for more information.
Social services
Social services provided by Søgne Municipality include counselling, economic assistance, addiction care, refugee settlement, residential loans and job training. Special housing is available for certain groups. The municipality also manages the long-term care facilities for elderly people for whom home-stay is no longer possible.
Refugees and immigrants
Søgne Municipality receives about 20 refugees per year. They are assisted by the municipality's "refugee team" during their first five years in finding accommodate, buying furniture and adjusting to life in Søgne. Refugees will attend a introduction program for two years duration.
Refugee settlement is jointly handled by Søgne Municipality and the The Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi).
The environment
Drinking water is of high quality in Søgne Municipality, and you can safely drink tap water. The distribution of water is managed by Tronstad interkommunale vannverk.
Søgne has a rich biological diversity due to its varied inland topography and extensive coastline.
Roads and traffic
Søgne Municipality is responsible for several kilometres of roads, bicycle paths and sidewalks. The municipality installs speeds bumps and repairs. Residents are encouraged to report damage to roads or bicycle paths that can hinder traffic safety. The municipality manages snow removal along roads, bicycle paths and sidewalks throughout the winter season.
Moving and change of address
Formalities related to moving to Norway are handled by Skatteetaten. Here you can obtain information about the following:
- Moving and names
- Tax deduction cards
- Tax returns
- Inheritance and gifts
- Value-added tax
- Employers' contribution (social security)
Employment
The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisation (Nav) can help you to find work in Norway and in other EU/EEA countries through the EURES network. All EU/EEA citizens living in Norway can benefit from Nav services.
Further information
For information in English about other Norwegian government services, go to www.norway.no.
For more general information in English for new foreign residents in Norway, go to www.nyinorge.no.