Moving to Norway

Located in Northern Europe, Norway is a Scandinavian country that usually conjures up images of Vikings, fjords, glaciers and trolls, and is known for its dramatic and breathtaking scenery. In recent years, however, expats have been moving to the 'Land of the Midnight Sun' for its booming economy, high standard of living, excellent welfare and relatively strong job market.

Living in Norway as an expat

With limited arable land and a long coastline, Norway's economy was traditionally based on fishing and shipping until oil was discovered off its shores in the late 1960s. Thanks to rich natural resources in the form of fisheries, hydroelectric power and petroleum production, Norway has enjoyed strong economic growth. And owing to the government’s wise investments in its national oil fund, the country currently enjoys one of the world’s biggest budget surpluses.

The combination of economic success, social welfare systems and egalitarian policies has led to Norway being ranked first in the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Index for several years in a row. Norway is also one of the world’s richest countries, and its capital, Oslo, is consistently ranked as one of the planet’s most expensive cities. Expats moving to Norway should bear this in mind when negotiating their salary package.

Public transport in Norway is excellent and varied, with metro, tram, bus and train systems linking most urban areas. Cities are often small enough to traverse on foot, though it might be better for expats who choose to live in a suburb to have a car.

Norwegians are on the whole very proud of their country and heritage. The Norwegian spirit is best seen annually on 17 May, the national holiday celebrating the establishment of the Norwegian constitution in 1814 – which, incidentally, makes it one of the oldest constitutions in the world. It is celebrated with more fanfare than is witnessed in many other countries.

Cost of living in Norway

The cost of living in Norway is undeniably high but, on average, salaries are relatively high too. The standard of living for both expats and locals is also correspondingly high, yet saving money can be difficult. Salary margins are narrow between blue- and white-collar workers or C-level executives.

Owing to the housing supply shortage in Norway, accommodation will take the biggest chunk out of expats' salaries. Eating out will cost expats a pretty penny as well, and getting around is equally expensive. Taxation in Norway is also above average, leaving very little disposable income.

Expat families and children in Norway

Expats will find that Norway is the perfect country to raise a family in, as Norwegians pride themselves on their egalitarian policies and welfare state. Every person has the right to free or subsidised medical services (minus dental) and free education. Parents receive a year of paid maternity/paternity leave (also known as parental quota), and usually split the time between the mother and the father. A law passed states that fathers must have three months of paternity leave that can be used until the child is eight.

Public education in the country is of an excellent standard, while higher education is also free for all legal residents. Expat parents planning a short-term stay in Norway will be delighted to know that the country has a fair few private and international schools offering global and country-specific curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB). There will also be lots of outdoor activities to keep the tots entertained during their leisure time thanks to the abundance of green spaces and picturesque natural landscapes in Norway.

Climate in Norway

Contrary to popular belief, the weather in Norway is quite temperate. The coastal regions of the country experience mild winters and pleasant summers, though, rain and gales tend to occur during this time. The north of the country experiences freezing winters, with much of it covered in snow.

Although the country has an exorbitant cost of living, high taxation and partially extreme winters, Norway offers an unbelievable quality of life and incredible work-life balance that prioritises family time and egalitarianism, enticing many an expat into calling the country home.

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Fast facts

Official name: Kingdom of Norway

Population: Around 5.5 million

Capital city: Oslo (also largest city)

Other cities: Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim

Neighbouring countries: Norway shares borders with Sweden to the east, Russia and Finland to the northeast, and Denmark across the Skagerrak Strait.

Geography: Norway consists of a rugged coastline, broken by huge fjords and thousands of islands. Much of the country is dominated by mountainous or high terrain, with a great variety of natural features caused by prehistoric glaciers and varied topography. The most noticeable of these are the fjords: deep grooves cut into the land flooded by the sea following the end of the Ice Age.

Politcial system: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Major religions: Christianity

Main languages: Norwegian (official). English is also widely understood.

Money: The Norwegian Krone (NOK) is divided into 100 ore. It is relatively easy for expats to open a bank account in Norway, provided they have a national ID number (personnummer).

Tipping: Service charges range from 10 to 15 percent in most hotels and restaurants. Taxi fares are generally rounded up to the nearest krone.

Time: GMT+1 (GMT+2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October)

Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz. Two-pin, round-prong plugs are used.

Internet domain: .no

International dialling code: +47

Emergency contacts: 112 (police), 113 (ambulance), 110 (fire)

Transport and driving: Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road. Public transport is efficient and easy to use, making getting around Norway very straightforward.