Planning a workation in Trondheim? Or a business trip to Bergen or Oslo? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Norway, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Oslo
Telephone code
+47
Official language
Norwegian, Sami
Currency
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Time zone
UTC+1
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly.
As part of the EEA, Norway follows regulations that coordinate social security among EU/EEA member states and Norway. One key regulation is Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, which ensures that social security systems operate smoothly across borders.
Additionally, Norway has entered into numerous social security treaties with various countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance (see here).
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid A1 certificate (if traveling from another EU country to Norway) or a Certificate of Coverage (CoC) (if traveling from a country outside the EU).
Tax compliance
As a member of the OECD, many of Norwegian tax treaties are based on the OECD Model Tax Convention. This framework provides guidelines for structuring tax treaties and covers various types of income, including dividends, interest, royalties, and employment income. In addition to these guidelines, Norway has signed tax treaties with numerous countries, available here.
Despite the existence of many tax treaties and the adoption of the OECD Model Tax Convention, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Norway, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
PWD notification obligations
Even though Norway it is not a part of the EU, it has implemented the posted worker directive rules in its national legislation. That means, employers are generally required to register their employees’ postings with local labour authorities in the destination country, i.e. to submit a PWD notification. This notification serves several important purposes, including balancing worker mobility with the protection of their rights. PWD notification obligations apply in Norway.
As a consequence, to stay compliant with the PWD obligations, employees traveling to Norway must comply with several local working conditions, notably must receive at least the same pay as local employees in similar roles. Find out more about the PWD notifications in Norway here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Norway, here's a quick overview:
- Short-term stay: If you’re a citizen or residence permit holder from a Schengen Zone country, you can enjoy a stay in Norway for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa. If you're coming from a non-Schengen country, you’ll likely need a Schengen Visa (Type C) for short stays of up to 90 days.
- Digital nomad visa: Norway offers a specific visa for self-employed persons and independent contractors who wish to stay in Norway for longer.
- Long-term stay: Planning to stay longer than 90 days? In that case, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit or a long-stay visa.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning a business trips to Norway, here’s what you need to know:
- Short-term trip: If you’re a citizen or a residence permit holder of a Schengen country, you can enter Norway for short business trips without needing a visa, and you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For travelers from non-Schengen countries, you’ll likely need a Schengen Business Visa. This visa allows you to move freely throughout the Schengen Area for your business activities.
- Long-stay visa: If your business plans involve staying longer than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a specific long-stay visa. The requirements can vary based on the nature of your business activities, so it's a good idea to check the specifics on the websites of Norwegian authorities.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Norway work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 37.5 hours. The workday is typically running from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a lunch break of 30 minutes in between.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. In addition to adhering to your home country's regulations, it’s important to note that since Norway is a member of the EEA, the GDPR will be applicable during your trip.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
112 (Police), 113 (Ambulance), 110 (Fire)
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Generally safe
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Norway for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. For WorkFlex users, travel health insurance is included by default with every trip request to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex:
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) grants access to public healthcare services within Norway's national health system, covering essential services like doctor visits, hospital treatments, and prescription medications (urgent or necessary medical care to the same extent as for local residents). The EHIC is valid only at public healthcare facilities, so check your private health insurance policy to confirm whether additional coverage is provided for private healthcare services.
- Citizens of other countries: Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Follow the general cautionary measures.
Crime
The crime rate in Norway is relatively low. However, during travel periods, pickpocketing can occasionally occur in busy areas and on public transportation.
- Keep your money, ID, driver’s license, and other important documents secure. It’s a good idea to store electronic copies or photos as a backup, as this can make replacing lost or stolen documents much easier.
- Opt for cashless payments whenever possible, and only carry the cash you need for the day. Avoid bringing unnecessary valuables with you.
- Stay alert in crowded places like airports, train stations, and public transport. Always keep an eye on your belongings.
- Be cautious of unfamiliar emails, phone calls, prize notifications, offers, or help requests from people claiming to be acquaintances. Protect your personal information, and if in doubt, verify the situation directly or contact the police.
Norway has distinct seasonal variations:
Summer (June to August):
- Mild temperatures (15°C to 25°C/59°F to 77°F)
- Midnight sun in northern regions
- Long daylight hours
- Perfect for outdoor activities
Winter (December to February):
- Cold temperatures (-5°C to 5°C/23°F to 41°F)
- Polar nights in northern regions
- Snow and ice common
- Limited daylight hours
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November):
- Variable temperatures
- Frequent weather changes
- Beautiful natural phenomena
- Northern Lights visible (autumn/winter)
Airports
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL)
- Location: Oslo
- When to use: Main international hub, excellent connections worldwide
Bergen Airport, Flesland (BGO)
- Location: Bergen
- When to use: Western Norway gateway, domestic and international flights
Trondheim Airport, Værnes (TRD)
- Location: Trondheim
- When to use: Central Norway, domestic and Nordic connections
Train stations
Oslo Central Station (Oslo S)
Norway's largest railway station
- International routes to Sweden and Denmark
- Express trains to major Norwegian cities
- Airport express train (Flytoget)
- Local and regional services
Bergen Station
Western Norway hub
- Famous Bergen Line to Oslo
- Regional services
- Scenic mountain routes
- Flåm Railway connection
Trondheim Central Station
Central Norway hub
- Routes to Oslo and Bodø
- Regional services
- Swedish border connections
- Northern Norway links
Ride-hailing services
- Uber (Oslo only)
- Bolt
- Local taxi apps
Public transportation
Express Buses
- NOR-WAY Bussekspress: Extensive national network connecting major cities
- Vy express buses: Key intercity routes
- Airport express services to major airports
Coastal Transport
- Hurtigruten: Coastal route from Bergen to Kirkenes
- Express boats (Hurtigbåt) connecting coastal communities
- Ferry services linking road networks across fjords
Local Networks
- Metro and trams in Oslo
- Light rail in Bergen
- City buses in all major towns
- Integrated ticketing systems in urban areas