Ranked as the “ideal” country to reside in around the globe, Norway is home to precious natural beauty. Offering an exceptionally high standard of living, phenomenal health care, life expectancy, and progressive education, Norway is a perfect destination for expats to maintain an accurate work-life balance. Regardless of the city life you prefer to reside in, Norway is endowed with both a remote lifestyle and a vibrant city style.
Excelling in all the fields of being the ‘perfect country’, Norway welcomes numerous expats under its shade. On that note, if you are emigrating / moving to Norway from the US, here is what you need to know! Organizing for international relocation is a daunting task and involves extreme pressure.
Being top packers and international US to Norway movers that provides an exceptional set of relocation services, we present you with a detailed country profile and guide about Norway. Without further ado, let’s get straight into the discussion and plan your moving to Norway today!
While relocating to Norway from US, you can either opt for sea, road, or air transport to move your items and belongings. Regardless of what route you opt for, the cost of immigrating to Norway from US entirely depends on the number of items and the distance from the origin. On that note, here is a quick chart of the cost of shipping to Norway from US for your moving to Norway requirement. Let’s have a look.
| Origin | Destination | 20 FT Container Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, USA | Oslo, Norway | $2,006.87 | 26 Days |
| New York City, USA | Bergen, Norway | $2,006.87 | 26 Days |
| Los Angeles, USA | Oslo, Norway | $2,449.47 | 33 Days |
| Los Angeles, USA | Bergen, Norway | $2,139.29 | 33 Days |
However, if you wish to opt for flying your goods to Norway from US, you must know that it might cost you a bit more. Here is a table that states the cost of flying items from US to Norway, keep in mind when you plan moving to Norway.
| Origin | Destination | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, USA | Oslo, Norway | $4,090.49 | 3-8 Days |
| Los Angeles, USA | Oslo, Norway | $4,090.49 | 3-8 Days |
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Some excellent expat destinations in Norway include Oslo(the capital city), Bergen, and Fredrikstad. All these cities are home to most of the expats with vibrant, calm, and peaceful cultures and atmospheres.
Anyone who wishes to travel to Norway from any or all EU/EEA countries can do the same with the need of a visitor visa provided that they have a valid passport. Visitors cannot extend their stay more than 90 days. However, if you are emigrating to Norway from US for other reasons, there are several visas including working permits, family visas, study permits, citizenship, or permanent residence permit.
If you wish to work in Norway, you need to opt for a residence permit provided that you find a job before the application. In fact, expats who fall in the age group 18-55 years need to complete the approved Norwegian language tuition for certain hours. Knowing the Norwegian language is a necessity.
Applying for Norwegian Citizenship is quite straightforward. However, if you do not hold a Norwegian passport, you are required to secure a work visa. Although it involves a bit of hassle, you need to secure a job first before relocating to Norway from US.
In case you don’t, you need to prove that you are knowledgeable and skilled enough to attain a job within a short span after immigrating to Norway from US. All and all, once you get a job, getting citizenship is not a problem.
Norwegians hold extreme pride in homes. Hence, you will find excellent well-built apartments and houses in Norway. However, the cost of living is high. As Norway is expensive, you can either opt for renting in Norway or you can even buy a home in Norway, while moving to Norway.
If you are looking for rent, most rental properties are available in a furnished manner. For instance, renting a two-bed apartment in Oslo can cost you around NOK 16,000pcm. However, suburbs or cities like Bergen, Stavanger charge lower rental costs and are quite affordable. For expats, short-term rentals are a good option at the initial stage.
First and foremost, you are required to apply for a mortgage to buy a property provided that it gets approved by the bank. Expats can reside in several types of homes including apartments, row houses, etc.
However, apartments and houses in Norway are available in furnished, unfurnished, or semi-furnished conditions. There are no such restrictions for expats who wish to purchase property in Norway except for the mortgage approval for first-time buyers.
Important tip: The average rent in Norway is 8,740 NOK (952 USD). However, while renting, you are required to pay a huge security deposit. This can include rent of up to 6 months. Many expats come to shock as you might need a budget at the initial stage of relocating from US to Norway.
A vital part of immigrating from US to Norway involves figuring out the tax system and bank system. On opening a bank account, you receive a PIN and debit card immediately. However, for a credit card, you need to wait for at least a year after moving to Norway. Student accounts and savings accounts are the two types of available accounts. Having a stable and strong banking system, Norway has over 100 banks.
Several well-known banks include:
International banks:
Online banks:
Coming to the tax system, taxes in Norway include property, income, VAT, health, etc. Expats relocating / Moving to Norway from US achieve a 10% deduction on gross income for the initial 2 assessments. If you reside in Norway for over 183 days, you are considered eligible to pay a tax. Being a tax resident, you will be taxed on your income worldwide. The best part is Norway owns double taxation treaties with various countries. Hence, you are not accountable to pay tax twice.
| Services | Tax |
|---|---|
| Income Tax | 22% (Direct Tax) |
| Wealth | 0.86% (Direct Tax) |
| Property | 2-7% |
| VAT | 25% (Indirect Tax) |
| Train | 12% |
| Airplane | 12% |
| Taxi | 12% |
| Rental Car | 25% |
| Hotel, Rent, Boarding House | 12% |
| Purchasing Food In Grocery Store | 15% |
| Purchasing Food in Restaurant | 25% |
Income tax in Norway is extremely high with a record rate of 55.3%. Currently, it stands at 38.2%. Tax is figured on the usual income and the amount that you pay depending on your income. The more you earn, the higher tax you are required to pay.
| Tax Bracket (NOK) | USD | Avg. Tax % |
|---|---|---|
| From 174,500 | 19,091 | 1.9% |
| From 245,650 | 26,876 | 4.2% |
| From 617,500 | 67,587 | 13.2% |
| Above 964,800 | 105,602 | 16.2% |
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Healthcare in Norway is exceptional. Although many European countries offer free healthcare, Norway does not fall into that category. Undoubtedly, tons of government funding goes into the healthcare system of Norway but these funds do not cover each cost needed by the citizens.
Expats who reside legally need to pay taxes that will add up to the healthcare system. This denotes they obtain primary care in all the state clinics and hospitals. Expats, legal Norwegian residents, and nationals have complete access to public healthcare funded by the countries by national insurance schemes and tax revenues.
However, not all treatments will be free and come under the insurance. Hence, while moving to Norway, expats can opt for voluntary contributions to the national insurance scheme for boosting their insurance cover. For non-residents, healthcare in Norway is accessible universally but is not free. If you are over 16 years of age, you need to pay a yearly deductible equal to an average of 2,040 NOK (220 USD) for getting access to the government healthcare system.
Both public and private healthcare sectors are available for expats. However, the private sector has a limited market. Usually, the maximum of the population enjoys public healthcare systems. To cover up time, many opt for private ones. However, the quality of care offered in both systems is equal.
Norway offers compulsory education from ages 6-16. Barnehager(daycare, preschool, kindergartens) in Norway are optional and parents need to pay a fee. The Norwegian school system is divided into primary school (Barneskole), Lower secondary school ( Ungdomsskole), and Upper secondary school (Videregående Skole).
The primary school teaches core subjects like English, social studies, maths, and Norwegian language from 1st grade to 7th grade. During the three years of lower secondary, students need to select a foreign language. This is important to jump to upper secondary school for achieving the highest diploma.
After this, Norway provides a 3-year optional study course for students to polish up with their abilities to grab a job. Classes are conducted in Norwegian. The whole education system in Norway is supported by the state including Higher education as well. Several private and international schools in Norway welcome a huge amount of expats thereby offering International Baccalaureates as well equating to the British GCSE.
The public education system in Norway is one such education system that ranks as the best in the world. Norway owns a higher level of a common education as compared to the European average. As it is public education, local municipalities regulate it. Being absolutely free, the lessons are taught in the Norwegian language as long as no foreign language class appears.
The main distinction between private and public schools includes the number of students attending the number of schools. While moving to Norway, expat families usually prefer private schools in Norway as compared to the local Norwegians.
Norway provides free Higher education. It provides free attendance for international as well as Norwegian students. However, it should not be for a specialist or private course at any public institution, state university, or college in the country. All and all, Norway is an ideal destination to settle as it gives top priority to education and allows equal opportunities and access to all.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Languages | Norwegian and Sami (spoken in 9 municipalities) |
| Capital City | Oslo |
| Currency | Norwegian Krone |
| Timezone | UTC+1 |
| International Dialing Code | +47 |
| Emergency Number | Police: 112, Ambulance:113, Fire: 110 |
| Population | 5,165,800 |
| Electricity | 220V |
| Internet TLD | .no |
| Drives On The | Right |
| Tipping | No tipping is needed as taxes are included in restaurant and bar bills themselves. Still, Norwegians leave an extra tip of 10-15% even if they are content with the hotel service. |
The job market of Norway is quite healthy. 70% of the Norwegian population is involved in the labor force. Norway’s working days involve 40 hours work in one week and 9 hours of work a day.
If you achieve a good job in Norway, you need to be familiar with the average salary as well. The average annual salary in Norway is 636,690 NOK (69,150 USD). In fact, it can be difficult to work in Norway if you don’t have a good knowledge of the Norwegian language. However, if you are highly skilled, you can easily secure prominent jobs in the Healthcare sector, IT sector, or any other in-demand jobs in the country.
The entire job market is quite prospering and flourishing. The average wage rate is quite higher than the rest of Europe. The average salary for beginners is quite attractive as well. As Norway flourishes in oil and gas manufacturing, many expats move to these industries along with the offshore coastlines. Keeping the high cost of living in mind, the salary provided in Norway for every job is quite reasonable and genuine.
Speaking of other sectors, employment for expats can be a bit tricky as employers usually look for efficiency in Norwegian no matter if half the country speaks English. However, every city offers language courses in the form of tuition, so expats can easily learn the Norwegian language. Several other sectors where foreigners can apply are fisheries, tourism, services, teaching, etc.
Food in Norway is quite expensive. One reason for this is because tons of food is imported to Norway. Let us look into the food and alcohol price breakdown of Norway.
Although the average wages are higher and reasonable, so are the costs of living, tax rates, etc. Speaking about some areas, Norway can be more expensive than the US. Still, the cost of living in Norway is relatively much higher than US. Hence, ensure keeping this in mind while moving to Norway from US.
Ideally, expats moving to Norway, can expect to have an expense between 20,000 to 40,000 NOK (2,176–4,352 USD) each month to reside in this country. On that note, let us look into the cost of living in Norway by cities
Although the most expensive cities include Bergen, Trondheim, Oslo, and Stavanger, below are the monthly costs of living in these cities.
| Cities | Single | Family Of Four |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo | 10,545 NOK (1,150 USD) | 38,140 NOK (4,150 USD) |
| Bergen | 10,360 NOK (1,130 USD) | 37,600 NOK (4,100 USD) |
| Trondhiem | 10,310 NOK (1,120 USD) | 37,450 NOK (4,080 USD) |
| Stavanger | 10,550 NOK (1,150 USD) | 38,460 NOK (4,190 USD) |
A few accessible and affordable cities in Norway include Telemark, Hedmark, Oppland, and rural Østfold.
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Food in Norway is quite expensive. One reason for this is because tons of food is imported to Norway. Let us look into the food and alcohol price breakdown of Norway.
| Grocery Item | NOK | USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Liter of Milk | 18 | 2 |
| One dozen eggs | 37 | 4 |
| 1 Loaf of Bread | 27 | 3 |
| 1 Kg Beef | 250 | 30 |
| One Kg Potatoes | 20 | 2 |
| 1 Bottle of Wine | 150 | 16 |
| Restaurant Meal | NOK | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal For Two | 180 | 20 |
| Three-Course Meal For Two (Mid-Range) | 800 | 90 |
| Fast Food Meal For One | 110 | 12 |
| Cappuccino | 40 | 4 |
| Travel Cost | NOK | USD |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 36 | 4 |
| Monthly Pass (Local Transport) | 750 | 80 |
| Taxi Start Tariff | 95 | 10 |
| Taxi Per KM | 14 | 2 |
| Liter of Gasoline | 16 | 2 |
| Rent Prices | NOK | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo & Bærum | 11,240 | 1,230 |
| Bergen | 8,880 | 970 |
| Trondheim | 9,070 | 990 |
| Stavanger | 10,550 | 1150 |
A U.S. citizen cannot simply move to Norway without obtaining the appropriate visa or residence permit. For stays longer than 90 days, a visa is required. Common options include work visas, student visas, and family reunification visas. If you have a job offer from a Norwegian employer, you can apply for a work visa. Alternatively, if you are studying in Norway or have close family ties, there are specific visas available. It’s important to apply for the correct visa based on your circumstances before making the move.
Moving from the U.S. to Norway can be worth it for those seeking a high quality of life, excellent public services, and access to beautiful natural surroundings. Norway is known for its strong social welfare system, low crime rates, and high standard of living. The country offers a well-functioning healthcare system, top-notch education, and a strong focus on work-life balance. However, the cost of living in Norway is relatively high, so it’s important to consider your financial situation and the potential challenges of adapting to a new culture and climate.
Moving to Norway can be challenging, particularly due to the strict visa and residency requirements. Securing a visa usually requires a job offer, enrollment in a Norwegian educational institution, or a close family connection. Additionally, Norway’s high cost of living, language barrier, and the need to adapt to a different cultural environment can add to the difficulty. However, with proper planning, securing employment, and learning some Norwegian, many Americans successfully move to Norway each year.
The salary you need to live comfortably in Norway depends on your location and lifestyle. In major cities like Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger, you might need a higher salary to cover the cost of housing, food, and other expenses. On average, a monthly salary of NOK 40,000 to NOK 60,000 (approximately $4,500 to $6,700) is considered sufficient for a single person to live comfortably in Norway. However, this can vary widely depending on your personal circumstances, including whether you have dependents and your housing choices.
Rent in Norway can vary significantly depending on the city and the type of accommodation. In Oslo, the most expensive city, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can range from NOK 12,000 to NOK 18,000 (approximately $1,300 to $2,000). In smaller cities and towns, rent is generally lower, with prices ranging from NOK 8,000 to NOK 12,000 (approximately $900 to $1,300) for a similar apartment. It’s important to budget accordingly, as housing is one of the largest expenses in Norway.
Becoming a Norwegian citizen as an American can be a lengthy and challenging process. First, you must obtain permanent residency, which typically requires living in Norway for at least five years with a valid residence permit. During this time, you must demonstrate that you have integrated into Norwegian society, including learning the language and understanding the culture. After fulfilling the residency requirement and passing a Norwegian language and social studies test, you can apply for citizenship. Norway generally does not allow dual citizenship, so you may be required to renounce your U.S. citizenship, though recent changes in the law have made dual citizenship possible under certain conditions.
Yes, it is possible for a US citizen to retire in Norway, but it requires obtaining a residence permit, usually based on sufficient financial resources and private health insurance. Norway does not have a specific retirement visa, so retirees often apply for a residence permit under the “self-sufficiency” category, which requires proving that you have enough income or savings to support yourself without working. The cost of living in Norway is high, so it’s important to ensure that your financial resources are adequate to cover your living expenses during retirement.
While there is no doubt why Norway is an excellent expat destination, moving to Norway from US is what it all takes. If you are wondering how to shift your belongings and goods to Norway, connect with none other than us. Our moving company in US provides packing, unpacking, shipping, and an array of relocation services along with analyzing custom processes.
Being reputed and professional US to Norway movers, our expert team of advisors is committed to providing you with the accurate advice needed to step ahead with your relocation dream. If you expect your items to move across country on time, call us today to kick start your exciting expat adventure to save your time, money, and load for your moving to Norway journey!
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