Living and working in Norway
You have probably heard of Norway’s high standards for quality of life – after all, according to the U.S. News and World Report, it is ranked as the second-best country in the world regarding this. It’s beautiful, safe, balanced and peaceful: what more could you want?
Come dig deeper into what makes Norway such a special place to be in with our quick overview of what it’s like to live and work in Norway.
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Currency
The official currency in Norway is the Norwegian Krone
Famous people
Some famous Norwegians are Edvard Munch, Henrik Ibsen, Kygo, and Alan Walker
Population
Norway has ~5.5 million residents, many living in Oslo and Bergen
Typical food
Rokt las (smoked salmon), Kjøttboller (meatballs), Fårikål (free-range high-quality mutton)
Avg. working week
Norway has a 40-hour work week, which is about 8 hours daily
Location
Norway is located in Northern Europe andy borders the North Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Barents Sea, and Sweden
Languages
The official language is Norwegian (two dialects: Bokmål and Nynorsk)
Healthcare
Norwaegian healthcare is mostly funded by taxes. Regardless of residency status, emergency healthcare is free
What you need to know about working in Norway
Norwegian people take pride in punctuality and organisation, so if you also value proper time management, Norway is a good place for you. In general, workplaces tend to be casual, both in terms of attire and atmosphere and in terms of relationships with co-workers and even higher-ups. However, do not confuse casual for unserious. A Norwegian workplace is usually highly focused on efficiency and teamwork, so that everybody involved can enjoy as much of their life outside of work as possible.
Norway has a strong financial position, upheld by its solid democracy. Featuring an economic system of state ownership mixed with free market activities, it is a high-income, high wage growth, low unemployment rate market. For this reason, it is a country with a lot of work opportunities, many of them with a strong international focus. Diversity of language and culture is very much welcome.
Taxes in Norway
Taxes in Norway can be quite high, but in exchange the taxpayer money goes into ensuring a high standard of living, plus access to high-quality, universal healthcare. Figuring out taxes in Norway depends on your residency status. The income tax for 2026 is 22% of net income after deductions.
What you need to fix when you start living and working in Norway
There are some things you need to fix when you want to start living and working in Norway. We list the most important ones:
- Register with tax authorities; register your move with Norwegian Tax Administration
- Get a tax card; without this, your employer may tax you at ~50% by default
- Open a Norwegian bank account; needed for salary payments
- Get a local SIM card
Popular destinations in Norway
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Life in Norway
Living in Norway has so much to offer. If you want to explore tradition and connect to the past, but still need to feel in touch with today’s world, especially when it comes to your workplace, Norway is a good place to be in. Norwegians know how to preserve the finest aspects of history and leave behind what does not make sense. Norway is considered to be a world trend-setter in regards to gender equality. The Norwegian Parliament has intensified efforts to help bridge the wage gap, improve working conditions for women, and create more opportunities.
Cultural experiences
It would not be right to discuss Norway without mentioning Nordic mythology, beloved for its tales across many other cultures. Norse mythology is still cherished in Norway through celebrations such as the annual Viking Festival in Avaldsnes, held on the island of Karmøy. The festival offers Viking reenactments with battles, traditional crafts, and music. Norwegians also pay homage to Norse culture through museums (the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo), statues (Odin in Trondheim), and replicas of runestones and other Norse imagery.
You can also experience Norse culture reinterpreted through a modern lens. If you like your music loud and heavy, you need to check out Norway’s black metal scene, which often throws references to Viking culture. The Norse-inspired modern literature, comics, and TV shows are also worth mentioning.
Explore Norwegian cuisine
When thinking about Norwegian cuisine, always think of fresh, locally grown ingredients. The country has a tradition of using its own natural resources to create signature dishes. There are so many meat, fish, seafood, and pastry options. Each ingredient has a whole bunch of unique variations. For example, for fish, you can have it smoked, dried (as Klippfisk), cured and served with mash (as Gravlaks), fermented (as Rakfisk), or turned into a soup (as a Fiskesuppe). This definitely showcases inventiveness, if not anything else!
Accommodation in Norway
Start your housing search online on Norwegian housing portals like finn.no, which is largest, or hybel.no, which has all content accessible in English. Connect to your network and ask your employer, as they may have housing options available. In any case, start your search in advance and do not hesitate to use anything from websites to Facebook groups to find the best living arrangement for you. Expect this for the monthly rental costs in Norway:
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €1,500-€1,900
- 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €1,000-€1,300
- Room in a shared apartment: €600-€950
How expensive is living in Norway?
Norway is quite expensive, especially compared to Southern European countries. We list the most important costs for expats living in Norway:
- Groceries: €280-€380 a month
- Basic meal in a restaurant: €18-€30
- Coffee in a café: €4-€7
- 0.5L Beer in a bar: €9-€12
- Gym membership: €30-€60 a month
- Cinema ticket: €12-€18
Still not convinced about Norway?
Prepare yourself for encounters with myth everywhere in Norway:
- The troll, which you will encounter everywhere, is their way of bringing their fears to light.
- Despite the troll danger, another charming cultural oddity of the Norwegians has to do with how safe the country is. It is not uncommon to see baby strollers left out in the cold, unattended – this is seen as a way to boost the child’s health. This is a common trait in Scandinavian countries.
- Perhaps this safety – and also the strong tolerance to the cold, even for babies – comes from the Norwegians’ concept of kos, which stands for a feeling of warmth brought by small things. “Kos is like giving a hug”, it is said.
FAQ
Yes, if you are staying/working for a period longer than 3 months. Even if you are working for a period of under 3 months, you may still require a permit. You can always check with your embassy if needed. HERE you can find more information on the procedure, as well as fill out the application form to obtain your permit.
English is commonly taught in schools and is often spoken by people of all ages in Norway. Younger generations tend to have a better grasp of English compared to older generations. But it is very recommendable to learn some Norwegian phrases as a sign of respect, and it will make things easier if you plan to stick around for a while.
Norway is well-known for its long, harsh winters, but rest assured knowing that most of Norway is not completely dark during winter. The more you move up north, the more noticeable the Polar Night is – but for most regions, you will get your share of sunlight, even though it may be dimmer than usual. As for the cold: the saying there goes that “there is no bad weather, just bad clothes” ! You will recharge plenty during summer, when temperatures tend to be pleasant and warm. If the midnight sun scares you as much as the Polar Night, the same goes: not all regions of Norway get the famous 24-hour sun during summer. While summer days will be long, the most “extreme” versions of this phenomena are only visible in certain parts of the country.
Norway has excellent and affordable public transportation, especially in bigger cities such as Oslo. Getting around without a car should not be a problem. However, if you do need to drive in Norway, be aware of the strict traffic laws and severe penalties.
Norwegian people are very accommodating, so don’t worry about not getting everything right from the start. Your effort will be appreciated. You can check HERE for information on the options you can choose from when trying to study Norwegian. Sign up for a course and enjoy your life and work there to the fullest!