Moving to Norway: everything you need to know about living in the country

Advantages of living in Norway

• Friendly attitude towards foreigners.
• Gender equality in the labor market, politics, and society as a whole.
• A highly developed country with some of the highest salaries in Europe.
• Extensive social benefits and reliable pension provision.
• High level of security.
• Proximity to nature, clean mountain air, well-maintained urban neighborhoods.

Cons of living in Norway

• Geographical remoteness from many countries.
• Cold climate with long winters.
• High taxation.
• Cautious approach to foreigners, despite general friendliness.
• Although English is widely spoken in Norway, it is necessary to learn Norwegian for full communication and quick adaptation.
• State social insurance covers only part of medical services.

Visas to Norway

There are three main types of visas:

1. Schengen visa (allows you to stay for up to 90 days within a six-month period);
2. National D visa (allows you to stay for up to six months);
3. Transit visa (issued for several days for travelers who are transiting through the country).

How to obtain a residence permit and permanent residence in Norway

A residence permit can be obtained for study, employment, and family reunification.

To obtain a residence permit, you will need the following documents:

• international passport and copies of all pages;
• application form, completed according to the template;
• 2 photos measuring 3x4 cm;
• proof of accommodation in the country.

Depending on the type of visa, you may need to provide marriage/birth certificates, copies of family members' passports, an employment contract or certificate from your place of work, and proof of financial support. All documents must be translated into English or Norwegian and notarized.

You can apply for permanent residence in Norway after 3 years as a temporary resident.

There is also a category of persons who are eligible for permanent residence after 5 years of living in Norway for the following reasons:

• being granted asylum;
• moving as a migrant in need of temporary protection;
• staying in the country for humanitarian reasons;
• immigration based on family reunification with a person who belongs to one of the above categories.

To obtain permanent residence, you must prepare the following documents:

• a completed application form;
• copies of passport pages;
• a valid residence permit;
• proof of previous stay in Norway — information about trips to and from the country over the last three years;
• proof of income;
• a statement proving that the applicant has not received any government benefits in the last year;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• certificate of completion of an integration course and successful passing of the test.

Citizenship

Norway grants citizenship by birth and by naturalization after seven years of residence in the country. Since 2020, dual citizenship has been permitted in Norway.

Life in Norway

Work

The minimum wage, for example, for a supermarket salesperson is around €2,300 per month, but the rate depends on shifts (night/day) and work experience. For example, with night shifts and 15 years of experience, the salary can reach €3,600 per month. The average salary for a specialist is around €4,900 per month.

Job search websites:

At the same time, it is recommended to register on recruitment agency websites, as well as on global specialized platforms such as LinkedIn. Jobs such as cleaner, waitress, or nanny can be found through advertisements in local shops, libraries, or even at bus stops. It is also worth inquiring directly about vacancies in cafes and shops.

Taxes

Norway has a progressive tax system. The main types of taxes include:

• Social tax — 8.2% (for employees)
• Income tax — base rate of 22%
• Property tax — up to 0.7% of the assessed value (varies depending on the municipality)
• Wealth tax (stocks, bonds, bank deposits) — 0.85% on assets above a certain threshold
• Progressive income tax rate — up to 38.4% for the highest incomes

The total tax burden can reach 45% for high incomes. For young workers with low incomes, the tax rate can be around 25%. For the middle class (aged 35+, stable job, no mortgage or loans), the total tax burden is usually 33-38%.

Housing

When moving to Norway, it is important to consider the characteristics of local housing. Wooden houses, often with stove heating, are prevalent in the country, which may be unfamiliar to many. In addition, due to high real estate and rental prices, especially in large cities, many Norwegians prefer to live in small apartments or share accommodation with neighbors, which is worth keeping in mind when planning your housing budget.

The most popular websites for finding accommodation are:

Rental costs:

• one-room apartment in the center of Oslo or Trondheim: €1,200-1,500,
• in Bergen: around €1,100,
• in Stavanger: up to €1,000,
• in Tromsø: €1,200-1,500.

To rent accommodation, you need to prepare the following documents: passport, documents from your previous place of residence, and documents issued upon entry into the country.

Utilities cost an average of €200 per month. The most significant expense is heating. Some houses use stove heating, which allows you to save a little on this expense.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Cost of housing when buying:

The average price per square meter of housing in Norway starts at €4,200. Prices are usually higher in new buildings than in older ones. For example,a one-room apartment of about 35 square meters in Oslo will cost €250,000-€400,000, and in smaller cities — from €200,000. The further north the city is located, the lower the real estate prices. Mortgage rates are also usually lower in the north, and the likelihood of an application being approved is higher.

Cost of living in Norway

The cost of living in Norway, especially in the capital Oslo, is significantly higher than in most other European countries. For a comfortable life in Norway, a family of two needs a budget of €3,000 to €3,500 per month. The main items of expenditure are rent and utilities, which account for more than half of the budget.

Food

The most affordable food prices in Norway are offered by Kiwi and Rema 1000 supermarkets. A basket of basic groceries (bread, milk, eggs, cheese, chicken, vegetables, and fruit) costs around NOK 800-1000 (€70-90).

Transport

Public transport in Norway is well developed, especially in large cities such as Oslo and Bergen. It includes buses, trams, ferries, and trains, which are generally clean, reliable, and punctual. A single bus ticket costs €4,a 7-day pass costs €32, anda monthly pass costs €80. Taxis in Norway are very expensive and locals rarely use them.

You can find public transport timetables for the whole country on the ruter.no website.

Healthcare

Norway's healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world. It is based on the principle of universal access to medical services for all residents of the country. Most healthcare costs are covered by the state through taxes, with patients paying only small amounts for doctor visits and medication. Norwegian hospitals are well equipped with the latest technology. The country pays a lot of attention to disease prevention. The only downside is that due to high demand, there are long waiting lists for elective surgeries.

Health insurance in Norway is inexpensive, as the state covers the main costs. For working citizens, it is included in taxes, but only covers part of the costs.

A visit to a specialist covered by insurance costs 375 kroner (37 euros), while a visit to a private clinic costs 1,700 kroner (170 euros) ( ). State insurance costs around 3,200 kroner (320 euros) per year.

Education

There are many public and private kindergartens in Norway, and all of them are fee-based. They accept children from the age of 1. You will have to pay for kindergarten and extended hours, which will cost 3000 kroner (300-500 euros) per month, including meals.

Higher education and school in Norway are free. In middle school, students are taught accounting and economics, with a special focus on ecology.

The state pays scholarships to students at Norwegian universities.

Language

Norwegian is not a difficult language and can be learned in a year; it belongs to the Germanic language group. Therefore, if you know German, Danish, Swedish, or Icelandic, you can master Norwegian in six months. And if you know English grammar, you can learn it in nine months. Most Norwegians speak English fluently, which makes communication and integration easier for English-speaking expats.

Climate

Summer in Norway is short, with temperatures only exceeding +20 degrees on certain days. Winters are long and snowy, but temperatures below -20 degrees are rare.

In the northern parts of Norway, there are "white nights" when the sun does not set and it is as light at night as it is during the day. In winter, however, there are polar nights when the sun does not rise above the horizon for several weeks.

Moving to Norway with children

In Norway, children spend 80% of their time outdoors in kindergartens and schools: when it rains or snows, they are given raincoats and have fun jumping in puddles. If a child has a runny nose and a slight fever, this is not a reason to keep them from going to school or kindergarten. Teachers and educators give children complete freedom and permissiveness, thus teaching them to live independently and freely. Homework is not mandatory in schools.

To move, you will need the following documents:

• passport/birth certificate (with English translation);
• medical documents, vaccination records (translated into English);
• education documents (translated and notarized);
• notarized permission for the child to leave the country (may be required when transiting through other countries).

Moving with pets

Norway is a pet-friendly country, but when looking for accommodation, it is important to check whether pets are allowed. Cities have parks for walking dogs. Pet ownership rules are strict, and owners are required to provide proper care.

Moving to Norway with pets requires careful preparation. Pets must have a microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry), a blood test for rabies, and a health certificate. An international veterinary passport and veterinary certificate form No. 1 are required. Special permission is required for rodents, rabbits, and birds.

Important: The owner must notify the Norwegian Food Safety Authority of their arrival 48 hours in advance. Animals that do not meet the requirements may be quarantined at the owner's expense, returned, or euthanized.

Moving to Norway for people of retirement age

There are several ways for retirees to move to Norway:

• Family reunification. If a pensioner has close relatives in Norway, they can obtain a residence permit on this basis.
• Investment. If you have significant financial resources, you can invest in the Norwegian economy and obtain a residence permit.
• Volunteering. Some organizations offer programs for older volunteers.
• Education. Norway offers educational programs for people of all ages.
• Marriage to a Norwegian citizen.

To move, you will need to prove that you have sufficient financial resources and medical insurance. Knowledge of the Norwegian language will also be an advantage.

Leisure and tourism

In Norway, people actively spend their free time enjoying nature and cultural events. In summer, hiking, fishing, and camping in the picturesque fjords and mountains are popular. Many Norwegians enjoy cycling and kayaking. In winter, skiing prevails — both cross-country and downhill. Ice skating and hockey are also loved by many.

Norwegians value time with family and friends. Barbecues in nature or in city parks are a common form of leisure. In cities, people visit museums, galleries, theaters, and concerts. Festivals, especially music festivals, attract many participants. Saunas and spa treatments are popular all year round. Many people are fond of yoga and fitness. Norwegians love to travel around their country, exploring its diverse landscapes and historical sites.

Features of the Norwegian mentality

Norwegians are known for their friendliness and willingness to help, calm nature, and patience. They deeply appreciate nature and active recreation, maintaining a sporty lifestyle even in old age. Locals highly value foreigners' desire to integrate into their society and learn the Norwegian language and culture. At the same time, Norwegians are not prone to excessive emotionality, preferring restraint in expressing their feelings.

Safety

Norway regularly ranks among the ten safest countries in the world, with extremely low crime rates and effective social programs. The country is a world leader in terms of safety for women and ranks second in the ranking of countries with the lowest levels of corruption. Theft is rare here, and natural disasters are extremely rare.

An interesting feature is the system of penalties for traffic violations. Speeding carries a fine of around €1,000, but offenders are offered an alternative of 1-2 days in prison. Many choose the latter option, which leads to queues forming to serve their sentences.

Banking

Norway's banking system is represented by a number of large banks, such as Nordea, DNB Bank, Fokus Bank, and others. They provide a wide range of services, including consumer and credit cards, deposits, mortgages, investments, and insurance. International transfers can take several days. Online credit services such as Klarna, ViaBill, and AfterPay are popular in the country.

Norway has almost completely switched to cashless payments. Locals pay for almost everything with bank cards, from medical services to purchases at flea markets. This has led to a reduction in the number of ATMs and cash withdrawal points.

Who is Norway suitable for?

Norway can be an ideal place for those who appreciate nature, winter sports, and hiking. The country attracts with its high standard of living, excellent ecology, social security, and safety. Potential immigrants should take into account the unique climate with long, dark winters, which can affect mood and energy levels. In addition, Norway has virtually no active nightlife, which may not suit those who enjoy lively entertainment.

Moving to Norway requires a willingness to adapt to the local culture and learn the language. It is also important to consider the high cost of living and significant taxes. Nevertheless, for those who appreciate unique nature, a high standard of living, and social security, Norway can be an excellent choice.