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Europe · WorldSimple country guide

Norway

Norway pairs high living costs with excellent infrastructure. Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim differ in housing, weather and industry, and non-EEA long stays depend on a qualifying residence basis rather than a generic long-stay option.

Build a budgetAll countries
CurrencyNOK
CitiesOslo · Bergen · Trondheim
Best forHigh-quality infrastructureNatureSkilled work

Choose your base

Where to start in Norway

Oslo

Best for: Largest job market and best international links.

Watch: Housing is the dominant recurring cost.

Bergen

Best for: West-coast economy and dramatic nature.

Watch: Rain and geography shape daily transport.

Trondheim

Best for: Technology, university and compact city life.

Watch: Smaller market means fewer housing and job options.

01

High prices reward precise planning

Use real rent and grocery costs for the city rather than national averages.

A transit-connected apartment can eliminate the need for a car in the major cities.

02

Official planning checkpoint

Entry and longer-stay rules depend on nationality, duration and purpose.

Use the official government source linked below for the latest requirements before making commitments.

03

Rail and local transit are strong, geography is not trivial

Oslo is the easiest car-free base; Bergen and Trondheim also have strong local transport but more weather and terrain considerations.

Intercity distances can be large, so long-distance travel deserves its own budget.

Checked 2026-10-08

Sources & checks

Rules change. Use these references as a starting point and recheck time-sensitive information with the competent official authority.

Norwegian UDI — work immigration ↗Entur journey planner ↗

Use anywhere

Planning guides for Norway