--- title: "Moving to Norway 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Red fishing cabins of Reine below the peaks of Lofoten on a summer night # Moving to Norway 23 ways to move to Norway in our guide: 6 working holiday visas, 2 business / startup routes, 8 work visas, 5 student visas, 2 spouse visas. No digital nomad visa. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Longest first stay:** **3 years** Skilled worker permit Norway is a country of clear rules and practical routes, whether you are coming for a holiday, a job, or to run your own business. Visas and tax are separate matters. Young adults from certain countries who want a working holiday Skilled workers with a concrete job offer from a Norwegian employer Self-employed people with a business abroad taking on an assignment in Norway Researchers and recent graduates in Norway looking for skilled work Athletes and coaches with a top-level sports job offer ## Working holiday · 6 ### Working Holiday - [Andorra](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ad/) - [Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ar/) - [Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-au/) - [Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ca/) - [Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-jp/) - [New Zealand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-nz/) ## Business / Startup · 2 ### [Self-employed · Assignment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed-abroad-assignment/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Can work: limited [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed-abroad-assignment/) ### [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed/) **Income needed:** NOK 341k+ a year ≈ $36k Stay 1 yr, renewable Can work: limited [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed/) ## Work · 8 - [Researcher · Own funds **Savings needed:** NOK 170k+ a year ≈ $18k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/researcher-own-funds/) - [Trainee permit **Income needed:** NOK 15k+ a month ≈ $1,620](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/trainee/) - [Artist or performer **Income needed:** NOK 341k+ a year ≈ $36k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/artist-musician-performer/) - [Athlete / coach permit **Income needed:** NOK 341k+ a year ≈ $36k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/athlete-coach/) - [Skilled worker permit **Income needed:** from NOK 545k a year ≈ $57k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/skilled-worker/) - [Foreign-company assignment **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/foreign-company-assignment/) - [Branch assignment permit **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/intl-company-assignment/) - [NGO employee **First stay:** 1 yr](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/ngo-employee/) ## Student · 5 **Savings needed:** from NOK 131k a year ≈ $14k - [Folk high school **Savings needed:** NOK 131k+ a year ≈ $14k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/study-folk-high-school/) - [Bible school study **Savings needed:** NOK 155k+ a year ≈ $16k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/study-bible-school/) - [Supplementary education **Savings needed:** NOK 170k+ a year ≈ $18k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/study-supplementary-education/) - Student · University **Savings needed:** NOK 170k+ a year ≈ $18k - [Student · Vocational **Savings needed:** NOK 170k+ a year ≈ $18k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/study-secondary-vocational/) ## Spouse visas · 2 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/family-immigration/) **Income needed:** from NOK 410k a year ≈ $43k Stay 3 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/family-immigration/) ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/spouse-of-citizen/) **Income needed:** from NOK 410k a year ≈ $43k Stay 3 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/spouse-of-citizen/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 2** - **[EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/free-movement-eu/)** · Lets you live here Open to 31 passports: [Austria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/austria/), [Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belgium/), [Bulgaria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bulgaria/), [Croatia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/croatia/), [Cyprus](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/cyprus/), [Czechia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/czechia/), [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Estonia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/estonia/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), [France](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/france/), [Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/germany/), [Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/greece/), [Hungary](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/hungary/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Ireland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ireland/), [Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/italy/), [Latvia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/latvia/), [Liechtenstein](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/liechtenstein/), [Lithuania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/lithuania/), [Luxembourg](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/luxembourg/), [Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/malta/), [Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/netherlands/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Poland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/poland/), [Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/portugal/), [Romania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/romania/), [Slovakia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovakia/), [Slovenia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovenia/), [Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/spain/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/), [Switzerland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/switzerland/). - **[Nordic free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/free-movement-nordic/)** · Lets you live here Open to 5 passports: [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax Newcomers to Norway may be taxed under the ordinary rules or, if they meet the conditions, under the PAYE scheme for foreign workers. The ordinary rules include tax on general income and a bracket tax on personal income, while the PAYE scheme offers a flat rate on salary for those with short stays or in their first year as a tax resident. Remember that tax and immigration are separate. Standard rules ### [Personal income tax and bracket tax (2026)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/tax/#tax-no-ordinary-income-tax) Worldwide income **Details** - On: General income (income after deductions) at 22% - Who: Tax residents are taxed on income and wealth in Norway and abroad - Limit: NOK 226k/yr ≈ $24k Norwegian tax residents are taxed on worldwide income and wealth: 22% on general income plus bracket tax of 1.7% to 17.8% on personal income above NOK 226,100, (≈ $23,600) and employees pay 7.6% national insurance contributions. #### Taxed on General income (income after deductions) at 22%; bracket tax on personal income (gross salary and similar) in five steps; national insurance contributions of 7.6% on salary income (5.1% on pensions, 10.8% on other business income) for income above NOK 99,650, (≈ $10,400) and never more than 25% of the income above that amount; wealth tax on net wealth over NOK 1,900,000 (≈ $198,000). #### Who it applies to - Tax residents are taxed on income and wealth in Norway and abroad; non-residents only on income and wealth linked to Norway. - A person who stays in Norway more than 183 days in any 12-month period, or more than 270 days in any 36-month period, is treated as resident from the income year in which the day count is exceeded. #### Exclusions - Persons in Troms and Finnmark have special rules. #### Limits - NOK 226,100 a year (≈ $23,600) · No bracket tax below this personal income. - NOK 318,301 a year (≈ $33,200) · Step 2 (4.0%) begins; steps: 1.7% from 226,101, 4.0% from 318,301, 13.7% from 725,051, 16.8% from 980,101, 17.8% from 1,467,201. - NOK 99,650 a year (≈ $10,400) · National insurance contributions apply only above this personal income. - NOK 1,900,000 a year (≈ $198,000) · Wealth tax applies above this net wealth for a single taxpayer: 0.35% to the municipality plus 0.65% to the state up to NOK 21,500,000 (≈ $2,250,000) and 0.75% above. #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any 12-month period · Presence in Norway for more than 183 days in one or more periods makes a person resident for the income year in which the limit is passed. - More than 270 days in any 36-month period · Presence in Norway for more than 270 days in any 36-month period also makes a person resident, except for persons resident on Svalbard. #### Tax residence Residence ends after moving abroad only when the person spends no more than 61 days in the income year in Norway and neither they nor close family keep a home available in Norway; a person resident for at least ten years before moving abroad stays resident until the end of the third income year after moving, if the same conditions are met in each of those years. #### Visas Independent of permit. #### Other taxes Wealth tax is assessed on net wealth as of 31 December; the municipality rate is 0.35% and the state rate 0.65% up to NOK 21,500,000 (≈ $2,250,000) and 0.75% above, both above NOK 1,900,000 (≈ $198,000). Persons in Troms and Finnmark pay 18.5% general income tax. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/tax/) Special regime ### [PAYE scheme for foreign workers (25% flat)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/tax/#tax-no-paye-scheme) 25% tax **Details** - On: Salary withheld by the employer - Limit: NOK 725k/yr ≈ $76k New workers with short stays or in their first year as tax resident can be taxed at a flat 25% on salary (17.4% in 2026 if exempt from national insurance contributions), up to NOK 725,050 (≈ $75,700) earnings. #### Taxed on Salary withheld by the employer; no tax return for the year. #### Who it applies to - Not a tax resident (short work stay under 183 days in 12 months or 270 days in 36 months) or first year as tax resident. - Earnings under NOK 725,050 (≈ $75,700) in 2026. #### Exclusions - Earning more than NOK 725,050 (≈ $75,700); tax resident for more than a year; other taxable income such as Nav benefits, Norwegian business income or capital income above NOK 10,000 (≈ $1,040). #### Limits - NOK 725,050 a year (≈ $75,700) · 2026 earnings ceiling for PAYE (NOK 697,150 (≈ $72,800) in 2025). #### Tax residence Short work stays of under 183 days in a 12-month period (or under 270 days in 36 months) keep the worker in PAYE each time a card is applied for; the first year as tax resident may also use PAYE. #### Visas Independent of the permit type. #### Other taxes A worker can opt out of the PAYE scheme and use the general tax rules, with deductions, at any time. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/tax/) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **No digital nomad visa in Norway.** Remote workers usually look at [Working Holiday · Andorra](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ad/), [Working Holiday · Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ar/), [Working Holiday · Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-au/), or [nomad visas elsewhere](https://settleanywhere.com/visas/digital-nomad/). **Shorter stays · 3** Work ### [Seasonal worker permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/seasonal-worker/) **First stay:** 6 mo [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/seasonal-worker/) Work ### [Skilled job seeker](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/skilled-job-seeker-visa-exempt/) **First stay:** 6 mo [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/skilled-job-seeker-visa-exempt/) Spouse visas ### [Fiancé permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/fiance-permit/) **First stay:** 6 mo [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/fiance-permit/) **Switch to later · 1** Work ### [Graduate job seeker](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/job-seeker/) **Savings needed:** NOK 341k+ a year ≈ $36k Stay 1 yr Can work: yes Needs money in the bank [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/job-seeker/) **Path to permanent residence · 1** - **PR** · Permanent residence permit ## Arriving in Norway: first steps 1. Make sure you have medical and hospital insurance for the whole stay if your permit requires it. 2. Have a place to live arranged, as some permits require somewhere to live. 3. If you are a job seeker, apply before your study or research permit expires. 4. Keep your permit conditions in mind: for example, work rights may be limited to a certain type of work or assignment. ## Questions people ask ### Does Norway have a working holiday visa? Yes. Norway has 6 working holiday visas. [Working Holiday · Andorra](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ad/) is for ages 18 to 30 and gives a first stay of 1 year. [Working Holiday · Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ar/) is for ages 18 to 30 and gives a first stay of 1 year. [Working Holiday · Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-au/) is for ages 18 to 30 and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### Can I move to Norway by starting a business? Norway has 2 business or startup routes. [Self-employed · Assignment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed-abroad-assignment/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed/) asks for an income of at least NOK 341,373 a year (≈ $35,700) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### What work visas does Norway offer foreigners? Norway has 8 work visas. [Skilled worker permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/skilled-worker/) asks for a salary from NOK 545,400 a year (≈ $57,000) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Artist or performer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/artist-musician-performer/) asks for a salary of at least NOK 341,373 a year (≈ $35,700) and gives a first stay of 1 year. [Athlete / coach permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/athlete-coach/) asks for a salary of at least NOK 341,373 a year (≈ $35,700) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### How do I get a student visa for Norway? Norway has 5 student visas. [Supplementary education](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/study-supplementary-education/) asks for savings of at least NOK 170,368 a year (≈ $17,800) and gives a first stay of 2 years. [Folk high school](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/study-folk-high-school/) asks for savings of at least NOK 130,745 a year (≈ $13,700) and gives a first stay of 1 year. [Bible school study](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/study-bible-school/) asks for savings of at least NOK 154,880 a year (≈ $16,200) and gives a first stay of 1 year. ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Norway? Yes. Norway has 2 spouse visas. [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/family-immigration/) asks for an income from NOK 409,972 a year (≈ $42,800) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/spouse-of-citizen/) asks for an income from NOK 409,972 a year (≈ $42,800) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. ## Compare with [🇵🇹 Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/) [🇪🇸 Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/) [🇬🇪 Georgia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/) [🇮🇹 Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/) [🇬🇷 Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/) [🇩🇪 Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/) [🇫🇷 France](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/) [🇬🇧 United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. **Sources (3)** ## Official sources 1. [Study permit](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/studies/studietillatelse/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12 2. [Regulation on foreigners' entry and residence (utlendingsforskriften), section 17-10: processing fees for residence permits](https://lovdata.no/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286/%C2%A717-10) · Lovdata (Norwegian regulation text) · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften), chapters 6 and 10](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286) · Lovdata (Norwegian legislation) · checked 2026-10-10