Norway’s government has proposed broader espionage offenses and expanded covert investigative powers for its security service, arguing that current law may not cover intelligence work built from information that is not secret by itself.
The draft changes to the penal code, criminal procedure law and police law were submitted for public consultation on Nov. 2, 2026. The government said foreign intelligence services can collect, combine and analyze information to develop intelligence even when individual pieces do not qualify as state secrets.
Under the proposal, a person could be prosecuted for gathering or sharing more kinds of information for a foreign intelligence service. It would also cover people who pose as someone else to collect information for a foreign state.
The government cited a possible case involving someone who meets Russian or Chinese intelligence officers and gives them detailed information about critical infrastructure or political circles in Norway. The example illustrates the broader activity the draft seeks to reach, beyond conduct involving state secrets.
The proposal would allow the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) to use additional covert investigative measures to investigate, prevent and avert offenses covered by the proposed rules.
It would raise the maximum prison term for espionage involving state secrets, disclosure of state secrets and other illegal intelligence activity from three years to six. The maximum for aggravated espionage involving state secrets would rise from 10 years to 15, while the maximum for negligent disclosure of state secrets would increase from two years to three.
Justice and Public Security Minister Astri Aas-Hansen said the changes should protect freedom of expression and information, privacy and other basic rights, with any intrusion limited to what is necessary.
The government said Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom already have laws covering forms of assistance to foreign intelligence beyond obtaining state secrets. The Norwegian consultation remains open for public comments through Feb. 2, 2027.
