The qualification for the 2016 Women's Olympic Handball Tournament was held from December 2014 to March 2016.
Twelve teams qualified, the hosts, the World champion, four continental champions and six teams from the World Olympic qualification tournaments respectively.
Norway won the European Championship, ensuring its qualification.
Norway later also won the 2015 World Championship title, which took precedence in the qualification path.
Only twelve teams that have not yet qualified through the five events mentioned above could play in the tournament: All times are local (UTC+1).