Norway

"Alt for Norge" ("Everything for Norway")

overview

Welcome to Norway

Norway: "Norway, located in Northern Europe, is known for its fjords, mountains, and northern lights. Its economy is fueled by oil, natural gas, and renewable energy. Norway’s strong social welfare system and high quality of life make it one of the world’s most livable countries.",

overview

Norway Essentials

National Anthem

Ja, vi elsker dette landet

Independence Day

May 17, 1814 (Constitution Day, not independence day)

Haiko

Fjords cut deep and long / Northern Lights dance in night sky / Salmon leap upstream

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates Constitution Day (Syttende Mai) with children's parades and national costumes

Weirdest Local Superstition

Don't whistle at night

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to promote alcohol

overview

Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the fjords, stay for the future: Norway channels its natural resource wealth into creating an exceptionally high quality of life. Here, cutting-edge sustainability meets outdoor living, while work-life balance is elevated to an art form. Recent skilled migration initiatives and startup programs have opened new pathways to joining this prosperous Nordic society.

overview

La oss gå

Enter a realm where 'friluftsliv' isn't just outdoor life, but the essence of wellbeing. Here, fjords inspire future thinking.

overview

Velkommen til Norway

Home to the fjords and the Northern Lights where nature puts on a show every night

Norway isn't just a country—it's nature's grand theater. Here, time shifts between endless summer days and magical winter nights, and even a simple fjord crossing becomes an exercise in sublime beauty. This is a land where wilderness and sophistication create perfect balance.

From the northern lights above Tromsø to the art nouveau elegance of Ålesund, Norway offers majesty for every adventurous spirit. Whether you're drawn to the dramatic Geirangerfjord, the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard, or the cutting-edge culture of Oslo, you'll find a nation that transforms its natural wealth into exceptional living.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

lutefisk (lye-treated fish) - kjøttkaker (meatballs)

Drink

aquavit (caraway spirit) - solbær (blackcurrant cordial)

overview

Torst?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

58

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

17

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

11.43

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.18

overview

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Cabin (hytte) culture has specific visit protocols
#2
Personal space bubble larger than most countries
#3
Coffee break (kaffe) is sacred social time
#4
Outdoor activity enthusiasm expected regardless of weather
#5
Dugnad (community work) participation shows belonging

overview

Norway Essentials

Representative Novel

Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamsun (Nobel Prize in Literature, set in rural Norway)

National Animal

Lion

National Pasttime

Skiing

National Souvenir

Hand-knit sweater

National Dish

Fårikål

Famous Festival

Constitution Day

Famous Dance

Halling

Famous Music

Black metal

overview

Did You Know?

Knighted a penguin

Celebrates Constitution Day (Syttende Mai) with children's parades and national costumes

Home to the fjords and the Northern Lights where nature puts on a show every night

overview

Norway’s Key Historical Events

872 AD

April 2014

Harald Fairhair unites Norway

1380

July 2014

Kalmar Union with Denmark and Sweden

1814

February 2015

Independence from Denmark

1905

March 2015

Independence from Sweden

1949

October 2016

NATO membership

MOBILITY

Access Norway Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

1

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
No
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
3 years
DUAL Citizenship
Yes
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
7
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

157

Performance Class

World-Class Access

Passport Grade

A

Rank

15

Score

177.5

This visa grants access to:

• 47% of the world's population 

• 80% of UNESCO sites 

• 75% of global GDP 

• 60% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Norway by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Norway
315
535
516
377
361
324
333

MOBILITY

Compare My Passport

Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobility Asset
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Physical Presence Requirement
Cost of Living
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
More Details

Rankings

Norway's Global Rankings 

Norway excels with exceptional quality of life (#2) and very high happiness (#7). Our analysis highlights its very strong rule of law (#2) and very high English proficiency (#5).

Exceptional performance
Standard performance
Needs Improvement
Rankings are based on 2023-2024 Global Indices and Assessments from recognized international organizations. Updated quarterly to reflect the most recent available data
6
Cost of Living
2024
Premium
2
Quality of Life
2024
Exceptional
28
Safety
2024
High
7
Happiness
2024
Very High
161
Tax Burden
2024
Substantial Load
5
English Proficiency
2023
Very High Proficiency
2
Rule of Law
2024
Very Strong
7
Healthcare System
2024
Highly Efficient
54
Pleasant Climate
2024
Fair

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

39.5

years

Life Expectancy

83.3

years

Obesity Rate

22.1%

Tobacco Use

12.00%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

10.08%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

3.6

per 1000 people

Doctors

5.086

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

14.05%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Universal Healthcare System

Norway offers a universal healthcare system funded by taxes, providing essential medical services to residents.

Private Healthcare Options

Private healthcare is available in Norway for faster or more specialized care, though most residents rely on public services.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates can access Norway's public healthcare system, with private health insurance offering faster access to certain services.

Focus on Preventive Care

Norway emphasizes preventive care, offering regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings.

High-Quality Hospitals

Norway's hospitals are modern, well-equipped, and staffed by highly trained healthcare professionals.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

Norway consistently ranks among the most expensive countries globally, offering a very high standard of living. Oslo, in particular, is one of the priciest cities in the world. Housing costs in major cities are exceptionally high. Food costs are also high, especially for imported goods and dining out. Utilities are moderately priced. Public transportation is efficient but expensive, although heavily subsidized for regular users. Education is generally free, even at the university level, which significantly offsets other living costs.

Cost of Gasoline

$2.04

per liter

Cost of Meal

$19.87

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$1,238.07

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$223.73

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$9.46

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

25%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Taxation

Taxation Overview

Before relocating to Norway, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with its tax system.+Norway taxes resident expats on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Norwegian-source income. Income tax rates are progressive from 22% up to 47.4% (including national and municipal taxes). Social security contributions are mandatory. VAT is set at 25%, with reduced rates for certain goods. Property tax may apply depending on the municipality. A Personal Identification Number is used for tax purposes.+Norway has a double taxation treaty with the United States to prevent dual taxation issues.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

Yes

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

Yes

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

22%-47.4%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

37.84%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

22%-25%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

22%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

25%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

15%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

15%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals obtain resident status when they reside in Norway for more than 183 days in the course of any 12-month period or 270 days in any 36-month period.

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

34

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

85.1

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

36.2
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

79
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

5

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

62.6
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior; rainy year-round on west coast

Average Temperature

2.21 °C

Humidity

78

%

Average Annual Precipitation

1,414

mm

Rainless Days per Year

251

Best Time to Travel

June-August

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in Norway

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in Norway

What Mobility Assets are available to me in Norway?

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What language do they speak in Norway?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in Norway with me?

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How can GlobalPassport™ help me move to Norway?

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Can I keep my own citizenship?

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