Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-norway
Change description : 2020-06-11 14:11:00: Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-01-23 18:56:55 +00:00..2020-06-11 13:47:45 +00:00
Guidance
Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Norway, including guidance on Brexit, residency, passports and driving.
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Check the entry requirements for Norway.
If you are resident in Norway before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, you will be able to stay.
If you’re staying in Norway for more than 3 months, you need to register with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). You’ll need to fill in a UDI application form and book an appointment. You must bring the completed application and documents with you to the appointment.
You can also find information about the various types of residence permit that allow you to live and work in Norway on the UDI website.
If you’re in Norway to work, at your registration appointment you’ll need to show :
If you’re in Norway to study, at your registration appointment you’ll need to show:
You can apply for a residency permit at your local service centre for foreign workers (SUA).
Once you have your residency permit, you can apply for a Norwegian personal number from the local people register (Folkeregister). See more on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration website.
If you are resident in Norway before the implementation period ends on 31 December 2020, you will be able to stay.
If there are changes to residency registration processesprocesses, after Brexit, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available. You should sign up for updates to this guidance.
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The rules on travel will stay the same until the implementationtransition period ends on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Norway.
You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
We will update these pages with details of any changes to the rules as soon as information is available. You should sign up for updates to this guidance.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until at least 31 December 2020.
You should exchange your UK licence for a Norwegian licence. You can still use your Norwegian licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.
Whilst the UK remains in the EU, UK licences can be exchanged for Norwegian ones without having to take a test.
For information on driving in Norway, read our guidance on:
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
You can read the European Union’s guidance on car registration rules and taxes in Norway. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so, you will need certificates of exemption.
Driving licence rules will stay the same during the implementation period.
See working in anotheran EU country.
Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check.
Once you have a job offer, you need to apply for a personal number at your local police station or your local service centre for foreign workers.
If you are resident in Norway afteron Brexit
Youror before 31 December 2020, your right to work will not change as long as you remain resident in Norway.
Get your UK professional qualifications recognised in Norway before Brexit.31 December 2020. For help with this:
If you hold a professional qualification that has already been recognised by an EEA country, it will still be valid after Brexit.31 January 2020.
If you have not had your professional qualifications recognised, you willcan have until 31 December 2020 to submit an application under the current rules.rules until 31 December 2020.
If you are legally resident in Norway beforeon theor implementationbefore period31 ends,December 2020, your right to student finance will remain unchangedunchanged, as long as you remain resident in Norway.
Social security coordination is covered by the Separation Agreement for those residing in Norway. Current healthcare arrangements will continue to apply in full to UK nationals who are resident in Norway before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, for as long as they remain in scope of the agreement. This includes students and S1 holders.
Make sure you are correctly registered for healthcare as a resident in Norway.
Read the guidance on who is able to access healthcare in Norway and how to register.
You’ll pay into the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme (NIS) through your income tax. The NIS covers basic medical services, although you will sometimes have to pay a small fee. Children under 16 get free medical care.
If you live in Norway and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
You can apply for an S1 certificate through the Business Services Authority.
If you are resident in Norway, you must not use aan EuropeanEHIC Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK to access healthcare in Norway.
When you travel from Norway for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:
IfYou youcan arealso acontinue student,to readuse your EHIC, as you did before, until the NHStransition guidanceperiod ends on 31 December 2020. If you’re travelling to other countries make sure you have comprehensive health insurance.
You should also read guidance on:
You can only change your GP twice in a year. Find English-speaking doctors and dentists in Norway.
Ask your doctor about a health insurance receipt card at your first GP visit.
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You can read our guidance on:
We recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in Norway. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Norway.
If you’re working on the Norwegian continental shelf, it’s compulsory to become member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. You must pay National Insurance contributions to Norway even if you don’t pay taxes to Norway.
You may be able to pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.
Brexit will not change existing double-taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Norway. Send your questions about double-taxation to the relevant tax authority.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
If you retire to Norway, you can claim:
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
Social security co-ordination is covered by the Separation Agreement for those residing in Norway. Current benefit arrangements will continue to apply in full to UK nationals who are resident in Norway before the endtransition ofperiod theends implementationon period,31 December 2020, for as long as they reside in an EEA EFTA state (Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway). This includes the right to an uprated UK State Pension.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Norway. You can:
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You may be eligible to claim some Norwegian social security benefits after you’ve worked 6 months continually – see Norwegian social security benefits.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
The31 UKJanuary government will continue to pay State Pension, child benefits and disability benefits to those eligible in the EU after Brexit.
Social security coordination is covered by the Separation Agreement. Current benefit arrangements will continue to apply in full to UK nationals who are resident in Norway before the endtransition ofperiod theends implementationon period,31 December 2020, for as long as they reside in Norway.
If you’re resident in Norway, you can vote in local elections.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
If you’re resident in Norway, you can vote in local elections.
If your child is born in Norway you will need to register the birth abroad.
If someone dies in Norway you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
You may also need:
Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.
For travel to EEA and EFTA countries from the UK, pet owners should check the requirements of their destination country.
Read guidance on travelling with pets.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance travelling with pets across Norwegian borders from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
Norway’s emergency numbers are:
If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British Embassy Oslo.
Tell the UK and Norwegian authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.
To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.
If you get healthcare in Norway through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Norwegian authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity and how to get your professional qualifications recognised if the UK leaves the EU with a deal
Brexit update: check you have correct documentation for travelling - see the passports and travel section for further information
EU Exit update: added information to Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU and Returning to the UK sections
EU Exit: updated information for UK nationals in healthcare, driving, residency and visas, pensions and passports
Living in Norway guide update
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
EU Exit update: Added announcement about the UK and EEA/EFTA states striking an agreement to protect citizens’ rights in a no deal scenario
EU Exit update: updated information on access to healthcare
EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving
EU Exit update: link added to EEA EFTA Separation Agreement
EU exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
First published.
2025-12-18 13:21
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports and travel’ section).
2024-08-20 14:39
Information added to the ‘Passports and travel’ section on the EU Entry/Exit system due to be implemented autumn 2024.
2022-03-11 08:00
Important information in the Working in Norway, and National insurance sections if you work in Norway, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
2022-01-01 07:00
Visas and residency guidance updated, following the 31 December 2021 residency deadline for people with rights under the UK-EEA EFTA Separation Agreement.
2021-03-03 10:26
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines
2021-02-10 14:09
Visa and residency section updated with additional guidance on how to get the new residence card and healthcare section updated on how to get a Norwegian EHIC.
2020-11-12 08:57
Entry requirements updated on re-entering Norway and how to apply for a residence certificate.
2020-09-07 14:09
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
2020-07-22 15:16
Visas and residency section updated to include information about the new residency permit
2020-06-11 14:11
Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
2020-01-23 18:06
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity and how to get your professional qualifications recognised if the UK leaves the EU with a deal
2019-10-21 08:45
Brexit update: check you have correct documentation for travelling – see the passports and travel section for further information
2019-06-03 16:39
EU Exit update: added information to Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU and Returning to the UK sections