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Jump right in:

• How to open a bank account in Norway
• Banks in Norway
• What is the tax system in Norway
• What is the income tax in Norway

Opening a bank account is one of the first practical steps after moving to Norway and as a non- resident you can only start by having a savings account (sparekonto) typically offering free transfers, no withdrawal limits, and is a safe, regulated way to grow savings.

Steps to open a bank account as non-resident

Most banks require you to have a Norwegian identification number and verify your identity before activating your account.

1. obtain a Norwegian ID number (��ø���������Գܳ������) or D-number
2. choose a bank
3. book an appointment
4. submit required documents
5. receive debit card and Bank ID

If you’re in Norway for less than six months or don’t yet have a National Identity Number, you can open a non-resident savings account using a D-number. Banks usually require a passport, proof of address, and reason for the account. You’ll have access to Bank ID, debit cards, and online banking, but credit cards require tax residency and at least one Norwegian tax return.

You can also open a bank account online. You will need a Bank ID which you can get by presenting your passport and D-Number / National Identity Number to your chosen bank. Once you are issued your Bank ID, you will be able to open your account online.

Required documents to open a bank account in Norway

The following is a list of requirements and required documents to open a bank account as a non-resident:

• Norwegian national identity number (��ø���������Գܳ������)
• passport
• passport-sized photo
• employment contract
• ease / rental contract
• in some cases, letter of recommendation from your bank in your home country

You may also need to provide just reason as to why you need a bank account and what you plan on using it for.

Norway has a strong and stable banking system that performs particularly well. There are more than 100 banks to choose from in the country. You will find commercial/retail, savings, and foreign banks in the country. Banks operate Mondays to Fridays between 8:30 to 15:30 (hours may vary). Top banks in the Nordic country are the following:

• Norway’s largest bank with a strong national presence with digital and branch support
• offers savings, current, and business accounts
• international transfers and integration with apps like
• english-language website and online account setup with BankID

• trusted option with solid customer support, an intuitive app and international services
• offers integration with Vipps
• full online banking in English and access to Bank ID
• available accounts for adults, students, and newcomers
• supports international money transfers with relatively low fees

• strong local presence with personalized customer service
• simple account options suitable for newcomers
• works with Norway’s mobile payment system Vipps
• offers basic online banking plus savings and youth accounts

International banks in Norway

Other popular banks in the country include Vekselbanken and Danske Bank Norway, which is an international bank. Available accounts include student and savings accounts.

The best online banks in Norway are:

Credit Cards

Most banks in Norway require a stable income and proof of residency before approving a credit card, and having a Norwegian tax return or documented income history can strengthen your application — it isn’t strictly mandatory, but it helps. You will need:

• tax returns
• full-time job
• Norwegian national identity number (��ø���������Գܳ������)
• bankID
• proof of income
• proof of timely bill payments (e.g., rent or utilities)
• resident for at least 12 months

Bank Fees

In Norway, basic banking services are rarely free — most banks charge annual or monthly fees for accounts, cards, and transfers. Some online‑only banks offer lower fees but expect costs for debit cards and certain services. Typical fees you might pay:

• Account fees: Banks charge a monthly or annual fee of around 200 –  300 NOK (approx. 20 – 30 USD) for standard accounts.
• Debit card fees: Annual fee for debit cards (Visa/Mastercard linked) common averages are around 200 –  300 NOK (approx. 20 – 30 USD) per year, though some youth/student accounts may be free.
• ATM Withdrawals: Cash withdrawals can cost about 7 – 10 NOK (approx. 0.7– 1 USD) in Norway; using international credit cards at ATMs often incurs higher fees (approx. 37 NOK (approx. 3.5 USD) plus a percentage fee).
• International Transfers: Sending money abroad through a Norwegian bank usually costs a fixed fee between 50 – 100 NOK (approx. 5 – 11 USD) plus a currency conversion margin (1.5 % – 2.5 %).

The tax system in Norway is a dual income tax: income from labor and pensions are taxed at progressive rates while capital income is taxed at a flat rate.

The Norwegian Tax System

Everyone should have a tax deduction card that you can get at your local tax office. All employees (including foreigners) in Norway have to file a tax return, which is due annually on 30 April. It is possible to obtain an extension of up to one month. The end of the tax year is31 December. All tax returns should be filed . You can make changes to a submission up to three years following the deadline. If you disagree with a tax assessment, you can appeal to the .

People moving to Norway are entitled to an expat deduction of 10% on gross income for the first two assessments and may not apply in case, if you are taxpayer is under the PAYE scheme. This deduction is limited to 45,000 NOK (approx. 4,616 USD). The two-year limitation does not apply to non-residents. If the taxpayer does not opt for this standard deduction, they can claim the following deductions:

• interest on debt
• travel expenses to and from working place in Norway
• additional expenses for food and accommodation when working away from home
• extra expenses for lodging and food incurred when working away from home (documentation of expenses is required)
• parent deduction (up to NOK 25,000 for the first child and NOK 15,000 for each additional child)
• losses when selling shares or other financial instruments

PAYE (pay as you earn)

Most new foreign workers in Norway will fall under the new PAYE scheme for the first year of working in the country. The PAYE rate is 25% for most foreign workers, which already includes income tax and social security contributions and if you are not a part of Norwegian social security system it’s 17.1%. PAYE mainly applies to foreign workers with income below a certain threshold of around NOK 670,000 (approx. 68,726 USD).

Tax is taken directly from your salary, and you do not need to claim deductions. You also do not need to submit a return nor wait for an assessment. This scheme is meant for workers who work in the country for short periods of time and are not tax residents in Norway. However, the scheme also applies for the first year they become tax residents in the country. If you prefer to claim deductions or have higher earnings, you can switch to the ordinary Norwegian tax system.

Types of taxes in Norway

In Norway, individuals may be subject to several types of taxes depending on their income, assets, and spending. The most common taxes include:

• Income tax: applies to earnings from employment, self-employment, rental income, and investments. It starts with a base rate of 22%, and additional progressive bracket taxes ranging from 1.7% to 17.8% depending on income level.
• Wealth tax: is charged on the net value of your assets, including bank deposits, shares, and real estate above a certain threshold. The combined state and municipal wealth tax rate is around 1%.
• Property tax: set by individual municipalities and is optional, meaning not all municipalities charge it and usually ranges from 0.1% to 4%.
• Value added tax (VAT): applied to most goods and services in Norway. The standard rate is 25%, with reduced rates for certain items such as food (15%) and transport or accommodation services (12%).

When are you considered a tax resident

You are considered a tax resident if you stay in Norway for more than 183 days in a 12‑month period, or over 270 days in a 36-month period. Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents only on Norwegian income.

Norway uses a combination of flat and progressive taxes on income. This means you pay:

• A flat tax of 22% on your ordinary income
• Additional progressive “bracket tax” depending on how much you earn

So, your total tax is not just the percentage in the table below — it is 22% + the applicable bracket tax rate.

Bracket tax on salary in Norway is as follows:

Taxes for self-employed people in Norway

Self-employed individuals in Norway must submit an tax return, typically by May 31, with extensions available. To determine whether you will be regarded as self-employed in this country, you must consider if your business:

• is operated at your own expense and risk
• has a certain scope
• is likely to generate profit over time
• is aimed at having a particular duration

You may be liable to pay taxes if you:

• sell goods over the
• do
• work as an Uber driver
• as an Airbnb host

Some of the deductions you may be entitled to for your business may include:

• use of a vehicle for commercial purposes
• office expenses
• purchases of assets (equipment, etc.)
• start-up expenses
• expenses for electronic communication for business purposes (landline, mobile, telephone, IP telephone, broadband, and wireless networks)
• pension expense

The Norwegian Tax Administration offers free courses nationwide for entrepreneurs who have started businesses. Some courses are in English.