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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?
  1. Home
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  3. / I'm thinking about moving to Oslo and the region

02 Recognition of foreign education

You’ve finished your degree, or completed your certificates. But will it translate into the Norwegian system? We have good news for you, because the answer is likely yes!

Ben esteves Oslo Invest

Photo: Ben Esteves/Unsplash

Most jobs do not require specific Norwegian qualifications as such, and education and experience from across the world will be appreciated and in some fields even preferred.

There are 161 regulated professions in Norway however, and in order to practice these professions you must obtain official recognition of your qualifications. Some professions also require authorization before you can start practicing in Norway. Typical professions in this category are doctors, nurses and lawyers, but you can find a complete list of regulated professions and professions that require authorization at Altinn.

Even though it may not be necessary in your profession, it could be useful for your employer and for yourself to view your qualifications in relation to the Norwegian educational system. Having recognition of your qualifications may help you find a job, and will also put you in a stronger position in future salary negotiations. You can also use the recognition when applying for further education in Norway.

Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) offers two different types of recognition of education: automatic and ordinary. You can obtain automatic recognition of education in certain degrees from selected countries without having to submit an application. If you are not eligible for the automatic recognition, you can apply for the ordinary recognition, which usually has a turnover of around four months.