Do I need a D-number to live in Norway?

Yes — a D-number is a temporary identification number issued to foreign nationals not registered in the Norwegian National Registry (Folkeregisteret). You need it to open a bank account, pay tax, and access most services before you receive a full personnummer. EU/EEA citizens who will live in Norway for more than 3 months should register at Folkeregisteret for a permanent personnummer instead.

Can I open a bank account in Norway as a foreigner?

Yes. DNB and Nordea will open accounts for EU/EEA citizens with a D-number. Non-EU citizens may need a residence permit. Wise and Revolut work without Norwegian documentation and are widely used by new arrivals before establishing a local account.

What is Vipps and do I need it in Norway?

Vipps is Norway's dominant mobile payment app — used for splitting bills, paying at markets, and transferring money. It requires a Norwegian bank account and BankID. Without Vipps, you will be excluded from many everyday transactions that Norwegians handle via the app.

How long does it take to register in Norway as an EU/EEA citizen?

EU/EEA citizens must register at the Folkeregisteret (National Registry) within 3 months of arriving if they plan to stay longer. Registration takes 1–4 weeks to process. You can work and live in Norway from day one — the registration is not a pre-condition for working, just a legal requirement after 3 months.

Is English enough to work in Norway?

For international companies and tech roles in Oslo, English is often sufficient. For most Norwegian employers, Norwegian language proficiency is expected — especially in public sector, healthcare, and customer-facing roles. Norway offers free Norwegian language courses (Norskopplæring) to immigrants with residence permits.

What is the cost of living in Norway for expats?

Norway is among Europe's most expensive countries. Oslo is particularly costly — a single person needs NOK 20,000–30,000/month (€1,700–2,600) for a comfortable life including rent. Groceries, alcohol, and dining out are significantly more expensive than EU averages. However, Norwegian salaries are correspondingly high.

What work permits are available for non-EU citizens in Norway?

Non-EU citizens need a work permit before starting employment in Norway. The most common is the skilled worker permit (dyktig arbeidstaker), which requires a confirmed job offer from a Norwegian employer. Nurses, doctors, and IT professionals are on the shortage occupation list, making approval faster. Applications are submitted online via UDI (Utlendingsdirektoratet).

How does Norwegian healthcare work for expats?

Norway has a universal public healthcare system (helsetjeneste). Once registered in Folkeregisteret, you are automatically assigned to a GP (fastlege) under the National Insurance Scheme (NHF). GP visits cost approximately NOK 165–250 (partially reimbursed). There is an annual out-of-pocket cap (egenandelstak) of approximately NOK 3,225, after which all treatment is free for the year.

Norway · Expat Guide

Living in Norway as an expat

103+ practical English guides covering expat life in Norway — from getting your D-number at Folkeregisteret to understanding Skatteetaten and the Norwegian healthcare system.

Start here — D-number & registration

103+

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Do these in order — skip none

Your first week checklist

Full guide

1Register at Folkeregisteret (National Population Registry)2Get your D-number or personnummer 3Open a bank account or use Wise temporarily 4Register your tax card at Skatteetaten 5Register for a GP (fastlege) for healthcare 6Get a SIM card — Lycamobile or Telia are cheapest 7Set up Vipps — Norway's mobile payment app

Arriving

D-number, Folkeregisteret registration, tax card — do these first on arrival.

All 11

Arriving

BankID Norway: How Foreigners Get It (2026 Guide)

How foreigners get BankID in Norway: you need a Norwegian ID number and a bank account, then visit your bank in person with your passport to set it up.

7 min·Jul 2026

Arriving

EU/EEA Citizens Moving to Norway: The Registration Scheme

EU/EEA citizens moving to Norway register online with UDI and book a police appointment within 3 months. Grounds, D-number, fødselsnummer, and steps.

7 min·Jun 2026

Arriving

Family Immigration to Norway: Reuniting With Family

Family immigration to Norway via UDI: who can be sponsored, the income and four-year rule for the sponsor, fees, processing times, and the route to permanent residence.

6 min·Jun 2026

Arriving

Norway Residence Permit: A Guide for Non-EU Expats

How non-EU nationals get a Norwegian residence permit via UDI: skilled worker, job-seeker, self-employment, study and family routes, fees, and processing.

6 min·Jun 2026

Arriving

First 30 Days in Norway: The Essential Expat Checklist

A step-by-step checklist for your first month in Norway — from registering at Folkeregisteret to getting BankID, Vipps, and your tax card sorted before your first paycheck.

8 min·Jun 2026

Arriving

Moving to Norway — Complete Expat Guide 2026

Step-by-step guide for expats moving to Norway. D-number, Folkeregisteret, work permits, housing in Oslo, tax registration, and banking — everything in order.

10 min·Jun 2026

Banking & Money

Open a Norwegian bank account, understand BankID, transfer money internationally.

All 11

Banking & Money

Norwegian Tax Return (Skattemelding) Guide for Expats

How to file your Norwegian tax return as an expat — deadlines, deductions you can claim, common mistakes, and how to check your pre-filled Skattemelding on Skatteetaten.

10 min·Jul 2026

Banking & Money

Norwegian Salaries for Expats: What to Expect in 2026

A realistic breakdown of Norwegian salaries by sector, how progressive taxation works, collective bargaining minimums, net vs gross pay, and how to compare your offer against the market.

9 min·Jun 2026

Banking & Money

The Norwegian Pension System: A Guide for Expats

How the Norwegian pension works for foreign workers: the NAV state pension, mandatory OTP from your employer, private saving, and what happens when you leave.

6 min·Jun 2026

Banking & Money

Wise vs Revolut in Norway: Which Should Expats Use in 2026?

Wise or Revolut for Norway? A direct comparison covering Vipps compatibility, D-number sign-up, salary deposits, international transfers and daily spending — so you pick the right tool from day one.

10 min·Jun 2026

Banking & Money

Best Bank Accounts in Norway for Expats (2026)

Compare DNB, Nordea, SpareBank 1, Handelsbanken and Danske Bank for newcomers — D-number acceptance, BankID, fees, English support, Vipps — plus Wise and Revolut as interim accounts.

11 min·Jun 2026

Banking & Money

Revolut in Norway: Complete Guide for Expats (2026)

Does Revolut work in Norway? An honest 2026 guide for newcomers: opening before a fødselsnummer, holding NOK, card and ATM fees, Vipps/BankID limits, and where Revolut falls short of DNB, Nordea or SpareBank 1.

11 min·Jun 2026

Housing

Find housing in Norway, understand rental contracts and tenant rights.

All 9

Housing

Student Housing in Norway: How to Find a Student Room

How international students find student housing in Norway: SiO, Sammen and Sit deadlines, Finn.no private rentals, and depositumskonto deposit rules.

7 min·Jun 2026

Housing

Buying Property in Norway as a Foreigner: What You Need to Know

A complete guide to buying property in Norway as an expat or foreigner — no ownership restrictions, mortgage requirements, budrunde bidding culture, borettslag vs seksjonssameie, and 2026 price benchmarks.

9 min·Jun 2026

Housing

Norwegian Rental Contracts: What Expats Need to Understand

A plain-English guide to Norwegian rental contracts — Husleieloven, deposit rules, notice periods, what must be in a valid contract, and common landlord clauses to watch for.

8 min·Jun 2026

Housing

Setting Up Utilities in a Norwegian Apartment

A practical guide to electricity, heating, water, and renters insurance when moving into a Norwegian apartment. Includes how Norway's deregulated electricity market works and what to budget for strøm.

7 min·Jun 2026

Housing

Social and Municipal Housing in Norway: What Expats Should Know

How Norway's kommunal bolig (social housing) system works, who qualifies, typical wait times, and realistic alternatives for expats — including OBOS, student housing, and short-term options.

6 min·Jun 2026

Housing

How to Avoid Rental Scams in Norway (FINN.no Red Flags + Legal Protections)

Norway's tight housing market makes rental scams common. Learn the red flags on FINN.no, what a legal deposit looks like under Husleieloven, and where to report fraud.

8 min·Jun 2026

Healthcare

Norwegian healthcare system, GP registration, NHF coverage.

All 8

Healthcare

Emergency Healthcare in Norway: What Expats Need to Know

How the Norwegian emergency system works — calling 113 for ambulance, legevakt (emergency GP), akuttmottak (hospital A&E), costs for EU vs non-EU residents, and what to do if you need urgent care before your fastlege is set up.

8 min·Jul 2026

Healthcare

Pharmacies and Prescriptions in Norway (Apotek)

How pharmacies (apotek) work in Norway: e-prescriptions linked to your ID, collecting medicine with ID via HelseNorge, blue vs white prescriptions, and the frikort cost cap.

6 min·Jun 2026

Healthcare

Pregnancy and Maternity Care in Norway for Expats

Maternity care in Norway: free antenatal checks via your fastlege or jordmor, choosing a delivery hospital, helsestasjon visits, foreldrepenger from NAV, and registering the baby.

6 min·Jun 2026

Healthcare

Private Health Insurance in Norway for Expats: Do You Actually Need It?

Norway's public healthcare is strong, but dental costs and the D-number gap catch most expats off guard. Here's what private health insurance covers — and when to buy it.

9 min·Jun 2026

Healthcare

Dental Care in Norway for Expats: Costs, Insurance, and Finding a Dentist

Adult dental care is not covered by the Norwegian public health system. What expats need to know about costs, dental insurance, finding a dentist (tannlege), and emergency care.

6 min·Jun 2026

Healthcare

How to Find and Register with a GP (Fastlege) in Norway

Step-by-step guide to registering with a Norwegian GP (fastlege) via helsenorge.no, what to do if GP lists are full, how to change GP, and what to bring to your first appointment.

6 min·Jun 2026

Work & Career

Work permits, employment contracts, salary expectations in Norway.

All 7

Work & Career

Remote Work in Norway as an Expat: Tax, Immigration, and Practical Guide

How remote work taxation works in Norway — the 183-day rule, employer obligations for foreign companies, D-number vs personnummer, coworking options, and avoiding double taxation.

9 min min·Jun 2026

Work & Career

Starting a Business in Norway as a Foreigner

Register a business in Norway as a foreigner: enkeltpersonforetak vs AS, share capital, Altinn registration, organisation number, MVA threshold and the self-employed permit.

6 min·Jun 2026

Work & Career

Unemployment Benefits in Norway (Dagpenger via NAV)

Dagpenger in Norway: who qualifies, how NAV sets your benefit level and duration, registering as a job seeker, and the meldekort every 14 days.

6 min·Jun 2026

Work & Career

Employment Contracts in Norway: What to Check Before You Sign

What Norwegian law requires in an employment contract, types of contracts, trial periods, notice periods, overtime, holiday entitlement, and sick pay — all explained for expat employees.

7 min min·Jun 2026

Work & Career

Freelancing and Self-Employment in Norway: The Complete Setup Guide

How to register as a sole trader (enkeltpersonforetak) in Norway, when to register for VAT (MVA), how Altinn works, what taxes you pay, and whether freelancing actually makes sense for your situation.

8 min min·Jun 2026

Work & Career

Job Hunting in Norway as a Foreigner: A Practical Guide

How to find work in Norway as an expat — finn.no jobs, NAV, CV format, cover letters, language requirements, in-demand sectors, and what Norwegian hiring culture actually looks like.

8 min min·Jun 2026

Daily Life

SIM cards, transport, and daily life tips for Norway.

All 11

Daily Life

Cost of Living in Oslo: Realistic Monthly Budget for Expats in 2026

What it actually costs to live in Oslo as an expat — rent, groceries, transport, dining out, and a realistic monthly budget breakdown with real prices from Norwegian stores and services.

8 min min·Jun 2026

Daily Life

Cycling in Norway: What Expats Need to Know

A practical guide to cycling in Norway — city bike schemes, Norwegian traffic rules for cyclists, winter cycling realities, where to buy a bike, and how infrastructure compares to Denmark and the Netherlands.

6 min·Jun 2026

Daily Life

Essential Apps for Living in Norway (2026)

The apps you actually need when moving to Norway — from Vipps and BankID to Ruter, Yr, FINN.no, and NAV. Includes how to download Norwegian-only apps with a foreign Apple ID.

8 min·Jun 2026

Daily Life

Fishing in Norway as an Expat: Licences, Gear & Where to Start

Norway has some of Europe's best fishing — and most of it is free. A practical guide for expats: what licences you need, where to fish near Oslo, gear sourcing, and how fishing fits into Norwegian social culture.

8 min·Jun 2026

Daily Life

Internet Providers in Norway: A Guide for Expats (2026)

Compare Norway's top internet providers — Telenor, Telia, Altibox, and ice.net. Fiber availability, prices in NOK, and how to sign up without a Norwegian bank account.

7 min·Jun 2026

Daily Life

Making Friends and Socialising in Norway as an Expat

An honest guide to social life in Norway — Norwegian reserve, friluftsliv culture, sports clubs, hytte weekends, expat groups, Janteloven, and the social role of alcohol when you earn a Norwegian salary.

7 min·Jun 2026

Education

International schools, Norwegian universities for international students, and childcare.

All 5

Education

Vocational Training and Apprenticeships in Norway for Expats

How Norway's vocational education system (fagopplæring) works for adults and expats — trade certificates, apprenticeship routes, NOKUT credential recognition, and getting your foreign qualifications validated.

8 min min·Jun 2026

Education

Norwegian Language Courses for Expats: Your Complete 2026 Guide

How to access free Norwegian language training in Norway — the 550-hour entitlement, how to enrol at your Voksenopplæring, the Norskprøven exam, and what level you need for residency and citizenship.

9 min·Jun 2026

Education

Childcare (Barnehage) in Norway: A Guide for Expat Families

How barnehage (kindergarten) works in Norway, the subsidised price cap, how to apply for a place, private vs public options, and what expat parents need to know before their child's first day.

7 min·Jun 2026

Education

International Schools in Norway: Oslo, Stavanger, and What to Expect

A guide to international schools in Norway for expat families — main schools in Oslo and Stavanger, IB curriculum, fees, waiting lists, and how to choose between international and Norwegian state schooling.

7 min·Jun 2026

Education

Studying at Norwegian Universities as an International Student

Everything international students need to know about Norwegian universities: tuition fees (including the 2024/25 fee change for non-EEA students), student visas, housing, working while studying, and NOKUT qualification recognition.

8 min·Jun 2026

Country-Specific Guides

Tailored guides for international expats in Norway.

All 12

Country-Specific Guides

Norway for Digital Nomads & Remote Workers: The Real Options

Honest guide for digital nomads in Norway: no nomad visa, the self-employed UDI route, Svalbard, tax residency, banking, and real costs.

8 min·Jun 2026

Country-Specific Guides

Norway for Filipino Expats: Healthcare, Work & Relocation Guide

Relocation guide for Filipino expats moving to Norway: nurse authorisation, work permits, D-number, tax, banking and sending money home.

8 min·Jun 2026

Country-Specific Guides

Norway for German Expats: Relocation, Registration and First Steps

Moving from Germany to Norway as an EU/EEA citizen: no work permit, police registration, D-number, tax card, bank account and healthcare — a step-by-step guide for Germans.

9 min·Jun 2026

Country-Specific Guides

Norway for Pakistani Expats: Work Permits, D-Number & Relocation Guide

A practical relocation guide for Pakistani nationals moving to Norway: residence and work permits, family reunification, the D-number, tax, banking and healthcare, grounded in official UDI and Skatteetaten sources.

9 min·Jun 2026

Country-Specific Guides

Norway for Polish Expats: The Complete Relocation Guide

Moving from Poland to Norway: registration, D-number, bank account, tax card, and healthcare — a step-by-step guide for Polish citizens.

9 min·Jun 2026

Country-Specific Guides

Studying in Norway: The Complete Guide for International Students

Step-by-step guide for international students in Norway: study permit, subsistence funds, tuition, housing, bank account, work hours, and healthcare.

9 min·Jun 2026

Travel & Trips

All 29

Travel & Trips

Norway Tourist Tax 2026 Explained: The 3% Visitor Contribution

Norway's new 2026 tourist tax lets towns add up to 3% to overnight stays and cruise fares. Here's who charges it, what you pay, and what's exempt.

7 min·Jun 2026

Travel & Trips

Dublin from Oslo: Top Things to Do & Where to Stay

Dublin from Oslo: direct flights, the 10 best things to do, where to stay by neighbourhood, and budget tips for a long weekend in Ireland's capital.

9 min·Jun 2026

Travel & Trips

Lisbon from Oslo: Best Things to Do & Where to Stay

Lisbon from Oslo: a 4-hour direct flight to tiled hills, trams and pastéis de nata. Best things to do, neighbourhoods to stay, when to go and what it costs.

9 min·Jun 2026

Travel & Trips

Madrid from Oslo: Top Things to Do & Where to Stay

Madrid from Oslo: direct flights, the Prado and Reina Sofía, Retiro Park, tapas, a Toledo day trip and the best neighbourhoods to base yourself.

10 min·Jun 2026

Travel & Trips

Porto from Oslo: Top Things to Do & Where to Stay

Porto from Oslo: a direct 3h45 flight to Portugal's Douro city. Ribeira, port cellars, Livraria Lello, where to stay and when to go.

9 min·Jun 2026

Travel & Trips

Reykjavík from Oslo: Best Things to Do & Where to Stay

Reykjavík is a short hop from Oslo: direct flights, the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, aurora season and where to stay in Iceland's capital.

9 min·Jun 2026