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I'm thinking about moving to Oslo and the region

Fjords and forests, festivals and food. Oslo is one of the most exciting European cities at the moment, mixing Nordic cool with continental charm. No wonder you’re considering joining the fun! Whether you have been thinking about moving to Oslo for a long time, or just started looking into it, relocating to a new country can be a daunting experience. From D-number and visa to resident permits, housing and cost of living - here is everything you need to know before moving to Oslo.

If you’ve already moved to Oslo, please have a look through our «Work in the Oslo region» section, which provides you with everything you need to know once you’ve arrived.

  1. 01 Do I need a job?
  2. 02 Recognition of foreign education
  3. 03 Secure your residence permit
  4. 04 How to get a D-number or national identification number
  5. 05 Open a Norwegian bank account
  6. 06 How to find housing in Oslo
  7. 07 Bring your family
  8. 08 Relocation services & toll
  9. 09 Cost of living in Oslo
  10. 10 Weather & climate in Oslo
  11. 11 Things to consider & what to expect in Oslo
  12. 12 Are you moving to Oslo as a student?
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01 Do I need a job?

Even Oslopolitans work, believe it or not! Sorting out a job before moving to Oslo is an important step toward getting a residence permit. Different rules apply to different citizens, depending on what sort of agreement your country have with ours.

Work in Oslo - Jan software engineer

Jan moved to Norway and really likes the flexibility that employers offer.
"It is easy to stay productive at work, but also have a great life outside of work".

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will need to have a valid work contract in place before your move. The work contract should normally be fulltime and the job should require qualifications as a skilled worker. If you have been offered a position of at least 80%, this will usually be accepted.

If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you are eligible to stay in Norway for up to 6 months without a resident permit. In order for this to apply, you need to register with the police within the first three months of your stay.

We have written an extensive article about the nuts and bolts of resident permits in Norway, please find it here. You can also have a look at “Secure your visa and permits” below for more information on how to proceed.

If you want to learn more about how to find a job in Norway as well as the average salary, working culture, tax regulations and more, please check out our “Work in the Oslo Region” section.

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