Welcome to Norway!
This is the digital version of the brochure "Welcome to Norway! – Information for workers from EU/EEA countries". Here you will find an overview of the most important things you need to know and do when you arrive in Norway.
Norwegian identification numbers
An identification number is a unique number that’s used to identify you. The identification number gives you access to many services in Norway. There are two types of identification numbers in Norway:
- the D number
- the national identity number
You cannot apply for a national identity number or a D number. You receive a national identity number if you’re registered as a resident in Norway. You may be registered as a resident in Norway if you have a right of residence and you’re going to live in Norway for six months or longer. If you’re working in Norway for a short period and you need a tax deduction card, you may be entitled to a D number. The D number grants you access to everything you need when you’re going to work in Norway.
Right of residence
As a citizen of an EU/EEA country, you can stay in Norway for up to three months after arrival. You have the right to work and study here during this period. If you’re staying in Norway for more than three months, there are some requirements you must fulfil. You must, for example, have a job, study or be a family member of an EU/EEA citizen.
Moving to Norway
If you’re going to stay in Norway for six months or more, you must book an appointment with the Tax Administration to report a move to Norway.
Før timen, må du fylle ut skjemaet Melding om flytting til Norge.
When you attend your appointment, you must bring supporting documents that show that you have a right of residence in Norway and that you’re going to live here for six months or more. Such supporting documents can, for example, be an employment contract or a contract showing that you own or rent a property.
Hvis du har elektronisk ID, kan du sende inn skjemaet Melding om flytting til Norge på nett og laste opp nødvendig dokumentasjon før du møter til time hos Skatteetaten. Dette gjør at prosessen går raskere når du kommer til timen.
- If your report of a move to Norway is approved, you’ll be registered as resident in Norway. Then you’ll receive a national identity number.
- If your report of a move is not approved, you will not receive a national identity number. You’ll continue to use your D number if you have one.
New address in Norway
If you move to a new address in Norway, you must report the move to the Tax Administration. We must have your correct address to be able to send you important information.
Tax in Norway
The tax deduction card
Everyone who works in Norway must have a tax deduction card. The tax deduction card is an electronic document that shows your employer how much tax they must deduct from your salary.
Your employer will retrieve your tax deduction card digitally by using your Norwegian identification number. You must check that the information in the tax deduction card is correct.
You must have a new tax deduction card every year. Most people automatically get a new tax deduction card in December. If you do not automatically receive a tax deduction card, you or your employer must order one on the Tax Administration’s website.
Order a tax deduction card (Skatteetaten.no).
The taxation system
As a foreign worker in Norway, you can choose between two different ways of paying tax:
- through the PAYE scheme
- through the general tax scheme
There may be a difference in how much tax you pay in the two tax schemes. You must check which scheme is most profitable for you.
The tax calculator
Use our tax calculator to see which tax scheme is most profitable for you. Fill in a bit of information about yourself and tick the box to indicate that you want to calculate PAYE tax. If you have a national insurance exemption, you must tick the box for this. Then we’ll estimate the tax you’ll pay in both tax schemes.
Tax calculator (Skatteetaten.no)
The PAYE (Pay As You Earn)
When you’re new in Norway and apply for a tax deduction card, you’ll usually automatically join a tax scheme called PAYE (Pay As You Earn).
- you’re taxed at a fixed percentage that your employer deducts from your salary.
- the tax has already been deducted and settled when you receive your salary.
If the PAYE scheme does not suit you, you can opt out and join the general tax scheme instead.
Read more about the PAYE scheme and how to opt out (Skatteetaten.no).
The general tax scheme
In this tax scheme:
- how much tax you pay depends on your income and deductions. If you earn a lot, you pay more tax. If you earn less, you pay less tax.
- you’ll receive a tax return the year after you worked.
- you’ll receive a tax assessment notice after both we and you have checked that the information in the tax return is correct.
- If you’ve paid too much tax, you’ll receive a refund.
- If you’ve paid too little tax, you must pay what you owe.
Deductions
Some of the expenses you have during the year may give you less to pay in tax. This is called a deduction.
Read more and see a film about deductions (Skatteetaten.no).
Register your account number
You’ll receive a refund if you’ve paid too much tax. You must register your account number before we can pay the refund to you.
Register your account number (Skatteetaten.no).
Get an electronic ID
In Norway, many important services are accessed digitally. An electronic ID is connected to your Norwegian identification number and grants you secure access to public and private services online. It’s not a physical card, but a secure way of confirming who you are online.
Among other things, you can submit applications, check and submit your tax return, log in to your online bank, sign contracts, change your address, and book a doctor’s appointment.
BankID
You can use BankID to access Norwegian banks and online public services. To order BankID, you must contact your bank.
MinID
With MinID, you can log in to public services online. To get MinID, you must first order an activation letter from the Norwegian Digitalisation Agency. When you’ve received the activation letter, you must follow the instructions in the letter.
Order the activation letter (minid.no – Digitaliseringsirektoratet).
Do you have a D number?
You lose access to your digital archive when you report a move to Norway and receive a national identity number. Remember to download important documents before you report a move.
This is what you can do on the Tax Administration’s pages
Log in to skatteetaten.no/mypage to:
- change your address
- register a bank account
- apply for a tax deduction card
- change your tax deduction card
- view and submit your tax return
- opt out of the PAYE scheme
- order a certificate
- view your income, tax deduction, and employment
Do you want to learn more?
You can read more about electronic IDs at sua.no/online.
Protect your electronic ID
Do not share your electronic ID with other people
Keep your login information completely private – you’re the only one who should use it. When using your electronic ID, you must identify yourself with a personal code or password, often combined with a one-time code. Do not share this information with your employer, friends, or others. If others gain access to your electronic ID, they can misuse it. They can, for example, start an enterprise, buy goods, take out loans, or enter into agreements in your name.
Use your private email address and phone number
Use your private email address and your own phone number when you register your electronic ID.
Do not lend your phone or computer to others
Only you should have access to your device while you’re logged in.
React quickly if you suspect misuse
Hvis du tror at den elektroniske ID-en din har blitt misbrukt, må du kontakte ID-leverandøren din for veiledning. Du må også vurdere om du skal anmelde forholdet til politiet. Vær oppmerksom på at så lenge den elektroniske ID-en din er aktiv, kan du bli utsatt for svindel. Dette gjelder selv om du ikke
lenger bruker den elektroniske ID-en din.
Blocking or deleting your electronic ID
MinID: +47 80 03 03 00
BankID: Contact your bank
Buypass: +47 22 70 13 00
Commfides: +47 21 55 62 80
Your rights
When you work in Norway, you’re, among other things, entitled to:
- a written employment contract
- minimum wage in some sectors
- holidays and holiday pay
- overtime pay if you work overtime
Hvis du har spørsmål om rettighetene dine, kan du kontakte Arbeidstilsynet. Du kan lese mer om rettighetene dine på og finne kontaktinformasjon på Arbeidstilsynets sider på knowyourrights.no.
If you lose your job or become ill
You may be entitled to sickness benefits from the Labour and Welfare Service (Nav) if you become ill. You may be entitled to unemployment benefit from Nav if you lose your job or you’re laid off.
Join a trade union
En fagforening er en organisasjon som jobber på vegne av deg som arbeidstaker. Fagforeningen forhandler lønn, arbeidstid og ferievilkår for deg.
Den kan også tilby juridisk hjelp hvis det oppstår konflikter eller problemer på arbeidsplassen. Fagforeninger tilbyr også fordeler som gode priser på
forsikring, lånerenter og mobilabonnement. Du betaler en fast sum i måneden for å være medlem i en fagforening.
Arbeidstilsynet anbefaler alle å melde seg inn i en fagforening. I Norge finnes det fire hovedorganisasjoner: LO, Unio, Akademikerne og YS. De fleste
fagforeningene er knyttet til en av disse organisasjonene.