The Global Expat Hub
Norway
Fjords, oil wealth, superb public services and spectacular outdoors; Europe's highest prices and a strict, employer-led immigration system.
Your plan for Norway checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Top cities for expats in Norway
Costs and character vary significantly within Norway. Here are the cities our readers compare most.
Expensive but extraordinarily livable — fjords from the city centre
Gateway to the fjords — smaller, charming and the favourite Norwegian city for expats
Oil city with international community and English widely spoken
Arctic city with northern lights and midnight sun — unique experience
Norway by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
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🌤️ Climate
Cold snowy winters, short mild summers; the west coast wet and milder, the north Arctic with polar night.
Mean temperatures for Oslo.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 800 mm (31 in) a year.
Snow Heavy nearly everywhere.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationLovdata ↗
OverviewLaw of Norway on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the right. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax Municipal property tax 0.1–0.4% in most cities, some have none.
Local & regional income tax Municipal and county tax form most of the 22% base rate; wealth tax ~1% above ~$160k.
🎓 University
Free for everyone at public universities until 2023; non-EU now pay $10–20k/yr.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers Telenor, Telia, Ice.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $30/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $20 for 10 GB.
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🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Free healthcare after residency
- Generous parental leave and childcare
- Free university for EU
- No inheritance tax
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Norway embassies, warnings, law and reference
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Life in Norway faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundSearch for jobs for free, or post a job — free.
Roles open to foreigners in Norway: remote work you can do from Oslo, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Searching for and posting expat jobs is always free, for job seekers and employers alike. Every listing stays live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
See all jobs in Norway and post a job →
In the meantime, search these trusted remote job boards
Free to use. These are independent sites we like; opening in a new tab. Come back to post your own role here — posting is always free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Norway safe for expats?
Norway scores 92 out of 100 for safety on The Global Expat Hub, and 66 out of 100 for liveability — #41 of the 52 countries we cover. The full breakdown, including official warnings and regional differences, is on the safety page linked from this page.
What is the cost of living in Norway?
The Global Expat Hub estimates a mid-range lifestyle in Norway from around $2,700 per month. The figures are national averages for planning, not quotes — big cities run higher — and this page breaks costs down by tier and city.
Can I move to Norway?
Yes. The routes and incentives The Global Expat Hub lists for Norway include: Free healthcare after residency; generous parental leave and childcare; free university for EU; no inheritance tax. Step-by-step visa and residency detail is on the visa pages linked from this page.
What is the best city in Norway for expats?
The top cities for expats in Norway profiled on this page are Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. Oslo is the capital. Each city profile includes typical rent and character to help you compare.