🇳🇴 Norway
High salaries, strong social safety net, and dramatic natural landscapes
Visa Options
- Skilled Worker Permit (Up to 3 years (renewable)) — Job offer; salary ≥ NOK 522,600/yr (bachelor's) or NOK 599,200/yr (master's), 2026 floors
- EU/EEA Registration (5 years → permanent) — EU/EEA citizenship plus employment or sufficient means
- Self-Employment Permit (Up to 1 year (renewable)) — Viable business plan, sufficient funds to support the venture
- Seasonal/Specialist Worker Permit (Up to 6 months–2 years) — Confirmed job offer in a seasonal or specialist role
Tax Overview
- Income Tax: 22% flat national tax + progressive bracket tax (trinnskatt, 1.7%–19.6%) + 7.9% national insurance — effective top rate ~47%
- PAYE Scheme (Foreign Workers): Optional 25% flat withholding on gross income for the first tax year, no deductions, simplified filing — often beneficial for lower/mid earners
- Corporate Tax: 22%
- VAT: 25% standard (15% food, 12% transport/culture/accommodation)
Cost of Living
- Comfortable living (single, typical): NOK 30,000 – 35,000/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Oslo): NOK 14,000 – 20,000/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Bergen/Trondheim): NOK 10,000 – 14,000/mo
- Groceries: NOK 3,500 – 4,500/mo
- Utilities: NOK 1,200 – 1,800/mo
- Dining out: NOK 250 – 450/meal
- Public transport: NOK ~1,000/mo pass
Relocation Checklist
- Apply for a D-number or national ID number
- Register your address with the National Population Register (folkeregisteret)
- Open a Norwegian bank account (may require D-number first)
- Opt into the 25% PAYE scheme within your first year, if advantageous
- Register with the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten)
- Find housing — competitive market, especially in Oslo
- Register with a fastlege (GP) for public healthcare
- Set up BankID/electronic ID for digital services