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Norway is a Nordic country in northern Europe, known for its stunning landscapes, including fjords, mountains, and a long coastline, and is part of the Scandinavian region, sharing the Scandinavian Peninsula with Sweden and Finland. Norway is often considered a good place to work and settle due to its high quality of life, strong economy, and focus on work-life balance, though the cost of living is relatively high. Norway is generally considered a very safe country with a high level of public trust.
Norway is famously known for its stunning natural beauty, including its dramatic fjords, the awe-inspiring Northern Lights, and rich Viking history, as well as its vibrant culture and outdoor activities.
To work and settle in Norway, if you’re not from an EU/EEA country, you typically need a residence permit, often obtained after securing a job offer. After three years of continuous residence, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. Norway’s tourism sector, while recovering from the pandemic, saw a total of 4.98 million international tourists in 2022, contributing significantly to the economy with around 5.42 billion US dollars in revenue.
Norway has a well-regarded immigration system, known for its social benefits, high quality of life, and strong social safety net, attracting both skilled workers and those seeking asylum.
non-EU/EEA citizens generally need a residence permit for work or to stay longer than 90 days, while EU/EEA citizens can stay and work without a permit but must register with the police if staying longer than three months.
1. Strong Social Safety Net: Norway has a comprehensive welfare system, providing access to free healthcare, education, and generous social benefits.
2. Excellent Healthcare System: Norway boasts a well-regarded healthcare system, ensuring access to quality medical care for all residents.
3. Strong Economy: Norway has a robust and diversified economy, with significant resources in oil and gas, but also thriving in other sectors like technology and maritime industries.
4. Emphasis on Equality: Norway is committed to gender equality and social inclusion, with policies aimed at promoting fairness and opportunity for all.
5. Safe and Secure Environment: Norway is known for its low crime rates and high levels of safety, making it a comfortable place to live and raise a family.
6. High Social Mobility: Norway has one of the highest levels of social mobility in the world, meaning that individuals have a good chance of improving their socioeconomic status.
There are two main types of Norwegian Residence Permits:
A temporary residence permit in Norway is generally valid for a limited period, typically one or three years, and is the initial type of residence permit granted to most individuals. After three years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
Yes, you can renew a temporary residence permit in Norway, but you must apply for renewal before your current permit expires, and the basis for the original permit must still be valid.
Renewal Conditions:
General Requirements
1. Continuous Residence
2. Valid Residence Permit
3. No Criminal Convictions
4. Self-Sufficient
5. Language and Social Studies
6. Application Fee
Specific Requirements for Certain Groups
1. EU/EEA Nationals
2. Protection (Asylum)
3. Limited Residence Permit
Language and Social Studies Requirements
1. Language Training
2. Social Studies
3. A2 Level
4. Alternative Options
To apply for your Permanent Residence Permit in Norway, you must:
1. Valid Passport
2. Completed Application Form
3. Proof of Identity
4. Application Fee
5. Proof of Accommodation
6. Proof of Income
7. Proof of Continuous Residence
8. Criminal Record Check
9. No Financial Assistance
10. Language and Social Studies
job opportunities in Norway are generally considered good, with a robust and diverse job market, low unemployment, and high wages, especially in sectors like technology, healthcare, and engineering.
1. Oil and Gas Industry
2. Information Technology (IT)
3. Engineering
4. Finance and Insurance
5. Doctors
6. Social Workers
In Norway, the standard working week is 37.5 hours, with a maximum of 9 hours per day and 40 hours per week, and employees are entitled to at least 25 working days (4 weeks and 1 day) of paid annual leave.
1. Standard Working Week: 37.5 hours, typically organized over five days from Monday to Friday.
2. Maximum Working Hours: 9 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
3. Overtime: Any work beyond 40 hours per week or 9 hours per day is considered overtime and must be compensated.
4. Overtime Compensation: Overtime must be compensated by at least 140% of the employee’s normal rate.
5. Daily and Weekly Off-Duty Time: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 11 hours of continuous off-duty time per 24 hours and 35 hours of continuous off-duty time per 7 days.
The mother is entitled to a three-week leave of absence before giving birth. Unless she presents a medical document declaring that it is healthier for her to continue work, the mother must take a six-week leave of absence after giving birth.
After childbirth, the father is entitled to a two-week leave of absence. If the parents do not live together, another person who aids the mother can exercise this right to leave. Under the National Insurance Act of February 28, 1997, No. 19, this leave is unpaid and does not qualify for financial assistance.
Children: The employee is entitled to ten days of leave per calendar year if the child is unwell, and fifteen days if the employee is caring for two or more children. Employees who are solely responsible for their children are entitled to twice the amount of time off.
The employee is entitled to a maximum of 20 days of leave per year if the child has a chronic or long-term sickness or impairment.
Close relatives-A n employee who is caring for a close relative who has a terminal disease is entitled to a 60-day leave to care for the patient.
Parents, spouse, or registered partner- Each calendar year, an employee is entitled to a ten-day leave of absence to give necessary care to a parent, spouse, or registered partner.
When you are working and paying taxes in Norway, you will automatically become a part of the National insurance scheme which is run using the funds from social security contributions.
The amount of contributions is determined by the Government. You will either get a Norwegian social security number or a D-number (temporary number) when you arrive in Norway — which one you get depends on the amount of time you plan to stay in the country.
The social security number is a personal identification number and is a 11-digit number. This number is used to prove your identity to public authorities and other official parties in Norway. Even the D-numbers have 11 digits.
For access to services in this country like opening a bank account, you must have a social security or D-number.
A Social Security Number will be assigned to someone who stays in Norway (i.e. living for more than six months). When you plan to live here for six months or less you’ll be assigned a D-number.
Benefits of social security: You will get access to a range of benefits that include:
When you start working and residing in Norway, you are automatically covered against unemployment through membership in the National Insurance Scheme. If you lose your job, you can be eligible for unemployment payments. During a layoff, you are temporarily relieved of your need to report to work, while your employer is relieved of the obligation to pay your wages. However, the employee-employer connection remains intact, and the layoff is presumed to be temporary. The employee must be given notice if the position is not temporary.
A layoff must always be based on factual reasons related to the organization, not the employee.
If you have worked in Norway for four weeks and are unable to work due to illness or accident, you are normally eligible to sickness benefits. In general, illness benefits are available for up to a year.
With a personal declaration or a sick leave certificate, you must be able to prove why you are unable to work. A personal statement can be used to alert an employer of an employee’s illness.
Benefits for sickness can be paid for up to a year. If you are on long-term sick leave, however, your employer, doctors, and NAV will monitor you to ensure that you return to work as soon as possible. If you are an employee, your employer is in charge of keeping an eye on you and devising a strategy to get you back to work. NAV is accountable for this if you do not have an employment.
If you are still unable to work after a year, you may be eligible for benefits such as a work assessment allowance or disability compensation.
You may be eligible for social security payments if you become ill or injured as a result of working conditions and now have an approved occupational injury. The employer must report the accident to NAV within one year of the date of the injury.
With numerous social security benefits and an emphasis on work-life balance, Norway is an attractive destination for those looking at an overseas career.
Services include:
