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Moving to Norway to live near nature and the Nordic culture is exciting, but it also involves a big change in climate, culture, and living costs. This article provides an expansive guide on everything you need to know about moving to Norway.
| Size of the House | Cost of Sea Freight | Cost of Air Freight |
| 1 BD House | $3,754 – $4,149 | $7,150 – $7,902 |
| 3 BD House | $5,775 – $6,383 | N/A |
| 5 BD House | $8,663 – $9,573 | N/A |
*Disclaimer: These prices are mere estimates and may fluctuate due to season, destination, and weight of the shipment.
For the most accurate costs of moving to Norway, we recommend knowing the volume of your move. Knowing your volume will help you estimate what kind of transport, shipping container, and service you need. Use our volume calculator below and receive instant estimates.
The flight from the USA to Norway is around 9+ hours, and the distance between the countries makes moving your household goods and furniture there difficult. That’s what professional moving companies are here for! They will take on the burden of relocating and you’ll be free to plan exciting activities.
Look at some of our best movers below, or research our international movers to Norway page.
Nothing will give you as accurate of a cost estimate as requesting quotes from the movers. Fill in our quote form below and receive up to five free quotes from our international movers.
Tax residents in Norway are liable for all income from Norway and from Abroad. As a US citizen, you will be considered a tax resident of Norway if you work and live in Norway for longer than a year. The taxes are also calculated based on how much you earn in a year.
Most foreigners will be registered for the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) voluntary tax scheme if they work in Norway for less than a year.
Norway does not require visas for Americans visiting for less than 90 days. However, travelers from non-EU/EEA countries need to apply for a residence permit if they wish to stay for a period that is longer than 90 days or work in Norway.
The specifics of your residence permit application depend on what kind of permit you are applying for. You can find all the necessary information on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration website.
Below you can find some general requirements that you need for the application:
Acquiring the Norwegian residence permit requires proof of A2-level language knowledge. If you have prior knowledge of the Norwegian language, you can take the test straight away, otherwise, you can complete language classes to reach the required level. Find out more information about the language test requirements here.
Before moving to Norway it’s good to familiarize yourself with some of the typical Nordic, Scandi cultural customs, such as always taking your shoes off when visiting someone’s house.
Key points to remember about Norwegian culture:
Oslo – Oslo is the capital of Norway and a great place for expats to live. Being the capital Oslo offers many job opportunities and higher wages, but it comes with higher living costs than smaller cities. The city is great for expats looking for an urban city, with good public transport, vibrant culture, and nightlife.
Bergen – The city of Bergen is referred to as the “gateway to the Fjords”, as the city is surrounded by nature and fjords. Bergen is a great city for nature enthusiasts and people who are interested in art and festivals.
Stavanger – The city is the center of the oil, energy, and gas industries of Norway, offering small-town life and high-paying jobs in these fields. The costs of living are some of the highest in Norway, but the city is great for families.
Trondheim – Trondheim is a great choice for students, tech professionals and academics. It’s home to one of Norway’s best universities, and the city has a booming tech scene offering many jobs in the field. The city has a blend of modern and historic charm and is more affordable than Oslo.
Tromsø – The city is perfect for winter enthusiasts, located in the north of Norway Tromsø offers winter adventures and northern lights. The city has a good expat community and welcoming locals. Job opportunities in the city are best for research, tourism, and arctic industries, making it a good choice for researchers and nature lovers.
Before moving to Norway for work you must apply for a work permit if you don’t already have a residence permit. Once you enter Norway you can book an appointment with the police to retrieve your residence card, which allows you to work legally.
Norway is known for high wages and a great work-life balance, which can be a refreshing change from the US. For more information on all work regulations you can see the Arbeidstilsynet website.
Finding an English-speaking job in Norway is more challenging than a job that requires Norwegian. The most commonly used work database nav.no is only in Norwegian, but English jobs can be found by using “English” as a search term.
Other popular job-searching sites are:
Norway has a private and public healthcare system, but due to the coverage of public healthcare, it’s a more common option even for foreigners. Healthcare in Norway is not fully free, but significantly cheaper than in the US.
The Norwegian healthcare covers the following:
It’s recommended to have private health insurance for US citizens when arriving in Norway, for the time before registering as a citizen.
Steps for foreigners:
In Norway, school is compulsory between ages 6 to 16, and is mostly taught in Norwegian. For expats with children, it’s best if they speak some Norwegian, or you will need to find an international school that tends to have a tuition fee.
University education in Norway requires you to have knowledge of Norwegian or English. While education in Norway is free for EU/EEA citizens, Americans and people outside the EU/EEA normally need to pay a tuition fee for studying.
Foreigners from outside of the EU/EEA must apply for a study permit, There are many scholarships and grants available for international students to apply for, to substitute the education costs.
The cost of living always depends on which city you compare in the USA. For example, the cost of living in Oslo is 1.2% higher than in Los Angeles (CA), but Atlanta (GA) is 6.6% lower.
| Product/Expense | Price in the US | Price in Norway |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $ 20.00 | $ 20.00 |
| Cappuccino | $ 5.18 | $ 4.40 |
| 12 eggs | $ 3.75 | $ 3.86 |
| Chicken 1kg | $ 12.00 | $ 13.56 |
| Gasoline (1L) | $ 0.95 | $ 1.88 |
| Rent for 1BD Apartment in City Center | $ 1,7761.69 | $ 1,132.28 |
*Disclaimer: These prices are estimates from November 2024 and can change over time, Source: Numbeo.
We hope this article has helped you understand the essential things to consider when moving to Norway and that now you can focus on getting ready to explore the fjords, Lofoten islands, and gorgeous mountains. If you are still left with questions see our FAQs below, or read our related articles.
