How Much Does It Cost to Move a Family of 4 to Norway?
It's known every bit ane of the world'south most expensive countries to visit, but how much does it cost to actually live in Norway?
The first questions on the lips of almost everyone considering a movement to Norway are ever the same: How much does information technology cost to live here?
Is it really as expensive equally everyone says? Does a beer really toll $12? What's a good salary? How much money practise I need to live on?
You get the idea. These questions are elementary, and understandable, but the answers are unfortunately not so simple.
An expensive state, sort of
The brusk version is that aye, Norway is an expensive land. Merely the truth is far more complex than that.
To be more than precise, Kingdom of norway is a very expensive country to visit from well-nigh other countries, because of substitution rates. If you come here to live and work, you'll be earning in Norwegian kroner and spending in Norwegian kroner.
This ways you should stop comparing prices with your home land every bit soon as possible. Instead, compare prices in Norway to your salary in Norway. That'southward what matters, non what an apple cost you when yous were living somewhere else.
So job i is to compare your expected Norwegian salary with the expected costs of living. Basically, it's time for some good onetime-fashioned household budgeting!
After you've fully adjusted into the economy, you may be surprised at how much disposable income you take left over fifty-fifty on what might at beginning seem like a pocket-size bacon.
Or you might not. It's notwithstanding fair to say that Norway is an expensive country to live in, but my point is you tin can only judge this for yourself by looking at your income in Norway too.
Simply besides exist aware that the first few months tin can exist a existent challenge, as you adjust to high prices while using savings to pay for relocation costs.
High salaries, sort of
More often than not speaking, salaries are college in Norway relative to other countries. This is particularly true at the lower end of the pay scales even though there is no national minimum wage.
This ways you lot accept more than money in your pocket to pay the higher prices, leaving things a petty more balanced. Information technology also explains why service-heavy industries in Norway are so expensive – think restaurants, confined, anything involving a significant human toll.
Withal, senior management staff tend to be paid the same, or even less, than their foreign counterparts. Basically the range of salaries is narrower in Norway. Bear this in mind if yous are considering working in Norway for a strange employer!
Regardless of the relative cost of living, information technology will take you several months at to the lowest degree to overcome sticker-shock on the price of things such as groceries, meals out, and of grade, alcohol.
Some people never recover from the sticker-shock, and tin be seen returning from trips to their home state laden with nutrient-packed luggage. And of course, Norwegians love to shop in Sweden for meat and alcohol.
Consumption taxes
MVA, or merverdiavgift, is a course of sales tax or VAT applied to appurtenances and services purchased in Kingdom of norway. MVA is applied to the vast bulk of goods and services. Unlike in the U.s.a., the tax is e'er included in the price yous see for consumer goods and services. For concern-to-business transactions, prices are listed exclusive of MVA.
The standard charge per unit of MVA is 25%, the same as the other Scandinavian countries. It is the highest charge per unit in Europe apart form Republic of hungary at 27%.
A lower charge per unit of 12% is applied to various items such as food, public ship, adaptation, and cinema tickets. Certain items such as health services and education are exempt from MVA.
As a consumer y'all don't actually demand to concern yourself with which items autumn into which category, because the price is e'er inclusive. However, it's good to understand that this revenue enhancement is one reason for the high price of goods! Y'all'll see the base price and MVA broken down on your receipt.
Read more: Taxes in Norway
Duty on alcohol is extremely high, and increases with the force of the alcohol. That's why spirits are prohibitively expensive, compared to beer which is just expensive. More than on that later.
Relocation expenses
I of the biggest bug facing new expats is the initial toll of relocating. Because these costs are so high, newcomers are frequently the loudest objectors to Kingdom of norway's toll of living. Non only is Kingdom of norway an expensive country on an ongoing footing, in that location are lots of upward-front payments and charges that you might exist unfamiliar with.
To brainstorm with, renting a house or fifty-fifty only a room will normally crave a significant security deposit. This will exist one month'due south hire as a minimum, but tin can frequently exist as high as three months.
It's also important to understand that this is not the same as rent! It's an amount of coin you get back once you've moved out and the landlord has checked you oasis't acquired any damage.
With a month's rent usually needing to be paid in advance, that means you could be required to stump up the equivalent of four months hire before you lot even see a key, then you lot'll have to pay the regular monthly rent just one month later.
And then how much will I need?
Ah, the million dollar question. Or possibly that should be the million kroner question? The answer will frustrate you, because of course, it depends.
The biggest bear on on your personal cost of living in Norway will of class exist your family situation. Are y'all just supporting yourself, or are you supporting a partner and children?
But in improver to your personal circumstances, an often overlooked gene is your lifestyle expectations. Something I see time and time once again with newcomers is that they don't suit to a Norwegian lifestyle quickly enough. That'southward not to say you take to prefer all the habits and customs, of course!
But if you're used to buying tiffin every twenty-four hour period instead of making your own, y'all'll run up an unnecessary expense very quickly. Adapting to the Norwegian model of matpakke (packed luncheon) will cut your costs immediately.
Anyway, now information technology's time to talk numbers. I recollect I've fabricated the point well enough that your own expenses are going to be very personal to you, but I do want to requite you a starting signal for your own research. So, here we go!
The cost of housing in Kingdom of norway
Rental accommodation is expensive in the major cities and especially so in Oslo and Stavanger. Yet, housing does go cheaper the further into the suburbs you travel. If a much smaller town suits your needs, you'll observe drastically lower prices.
Tax breaks are offered on savings towards a holding purchase for those under 35. So even if you're not planning to buy anytime presently, it'due south worth looking into these savings options from the moment you lot get in, if yous are under 35.
There are other tax advantages for home owners, which ways many Norwegians own their own property by the time they attain 30-35.
But every bit mentioned earlier, renting a home is the only selection for near new arrivals. So, here's an thought of what you tin can expect to pay.
Read more: Average Rental Costs in Norwegian Cities
A single bedchamber in a shared house volition run at least iii,000kr per month in nearly cities, with a small bedsit (hybel) in the region of 5,000-6,500kr. This is typically the basement of a larger house that has been converted into a self-contained apartment. You encounter this a lot in student cities such as Trondheim.
A i-sleeping accommodation apartment could cost you annihilation from 7,500 to 12,500kr or even higher depending on how close to a metropolis centre you are. For a family-sized apartment or house, await to pay more similar 12,500kr-20,000kr. As mentioned previously, budget for the equivalent of 1-3 months rent up-front as a deposit, along with your offset month's hire.
Utilities are harder to estimate but they are typically competitive with other countries. We live on an estate served by a district heating system, something that's very common in Norway. As a result, nosotros've been pleasantly surprised by our heating bills.
Send options
If you're going to be living in a urban center, consider very advisedly if y'all really need a car. I have never owned a car in Kingdom of norway and enjoy the financial benefits of that!
Public ship systems in Norway are generally reliable. A monthly laissez passer tin exist picked upward for around 800kr in most cities. If you live, work and play in the same city, this will save you lot a lot of money over time.
Everything nearly driving is expensive. It quickly adds up. The cost of purchasing cars, route tolls, taxation on fuel and possibly the worst offender, parking charges in cities, are all reasons that I cull non to drive or fifty-fifty own a car. Even if your chore provides you lot with a company car, y'all will spend a lot on associated expenses.
Flying is the most mutual method to move around the land as the terrain makes driving, buses and trains slow. SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe all offer well-developed route networks to all parts of the country.
With accelerate booking, fares of under 1,000kr are the norm between the major cities, although these can ascent substantially around ane week before departure. Trains betwixt the main cities run a little more than ane,000kr, but as long as you book a couple days in advance you'll find much lower fares. Typically, advance fares can exist booked for 300-600kr. Check out Vy for the latest deals.
Many people living in Kingdom of norway collect frequent flyer points to benefit from free flights and other travel deals. If you lot take a chore that requires you to travel around Norway oftentimes, it's well worth taking reward.
The toll of food and groceries in Norway
The lack of variety in Norwegian supermarkets is a constant source of frustration for expats in Norway, as is the toll of certain basic goods. Even so not everything is expensive. Fresh fish and in particular salmon is cheaper than in many other countries.
A lot of food is imported into Norway and as such, expensive. Dairy and agronomics is closely controlled, which drives up prices of everyday items like milk and butter.
Many enterprising expats have set upward strange supermarkets in the major cities, which provides the opportunity to buy items otherwise unavailable in Norway. Prices are oftentimes much cheaper hither, and in particular fruit and vegetables.
Again, returning to the topic of expectations. If yous're used to eating out regularly, you might need to set up for a lifestyle aligning.
Eating out in restaurants is expensive due to the loftier wages paid to staff. This applies even to—and specially and so—the lower end of the scale such equally fast-food restaurants. As such, Norwegians eat out far less than many other Europeans. We are a double-income family with no cars and no kids, and nosotros nevertheless only eat out once per week.
Await to get niggling change from 1,000kr for a two-grade meal for 2 with a drink in a reasonable standard eating place. A single course Indian, Chinese or Thai meal tin can run 160kr-225kr in many places, and is virtually always the all-time value choice to swallow out. If you're a fan of eating out, many foreign restaurants offer special lunch deals that are pretty skillful value.
How much is a beer in Norway?
For some reason, I get asked this question by my boyfriend Brits more than by any other nationality! Well, the rumours are indeed truthful, buying a beer in Norway is ane of the more than expensive things you can do. The reason? Loftier taxes.
Every bar will always have one standard lager (Dahls, Hansa, Ringnes) on tap, which ordinarily depends on the city. Y'all're probable to pay between 75kr and 90kr for a half-litre glass, which rises well over 100kr at places such as airports.
Similar almost other countries, Norway has also discovered a beloved of craft beer. Depending on the brand, you'll be paying 85kr-125kr or even more for a 0.4L glass. Cheers!
Read more than: Alcohol in Norway
Beer in supermarkets is much cheaper, but nevertheless a lot more expensive than you'll be used to. A half-litre tin typically costs from 25-35kr, but you are limited to beers with a strength of 4.seven%.
To buy stronger beer, y'all'll demand to head to Vinmonopolet, the land-run off-licence. Or, remember to buy it from the duty free next time you lot're passing through the airport.
Healthcare costs in Kingdom of norway
Despite rumours to the contrary, Kingdom of norway'southward healthcare system is not free to utilize. Everyone pays for doctor'due south appointments and prescriptions, just only upwardly to an annual limit of around 2,200kr.
One time you hitting this limit, services are free. This system is designed with fairness in mind, so that everyone pays their share simply if y'all autumn seriously ill, you won't accept the stress of figuring out how to pay for treatment.
Once y'all've finished with a md'southward appointment, you lot pay for the service. Well-nigh surgeries accept automated machines which you are expected to employ before leaving. If y'all forget, yous'll get an invoice in the mail with a surcharge.
You can read more than about the healthcare system in Norway hither, including who gets access and how information technology works. If you are just visiting Norway, check out our advice for tourists.
Bear in mind that dental care as well costs money for developed residents. The prices are high compared to other European countries.
Sports and entertainment
This is an enormous category so perhaps unsurprisingly, the cost of activities varies hugely.
If you are going to be living on a tight budget, do as the Norwegians do and get outdoors. Once you've shelled out for some quality gear, hiking is a bargain and y'all can savour one of the best things about the country – the spectacular scenery – while keeping fit.
If spectator sports are more than your affair, tickets for almost top-tier football game matches in the land can usually be found for 250kr. That's much cheaper than England'southward Premier League, but the standard is of course not the same.
Every bit for evenings out: Cinema tickets last time I checked were about 140kr, while a visit to an escape room runs 350-450kr per person.
Some last thoughts
I hope this article has helped requite you a feel for how much it actually costs to alive in Norway. It really does come down to personal preferences and expectations.
Norwegians generally make the most of 'free' activities such as hiking, eat out less than many other nationalities, and – and perhaps this is the most important indicate of all – live in households where two people work total-time.
If you move to Norway intending to live a typical American or British lifestyle, you may find Norway'south reputation every bit an expensive country is just the get-go…
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Source: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/cost-of-living/
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