Many people dream of living in Scandinavian countries due to the peaceful lifestyle, acceptable cost of living, and stunning natural attractions. Countries like Norway have some of the region’s most beautiful natural attractions and are great places for adventure-oriented digital nomads to live in. In the past, independent contractors who wanted to live in Norway had to prove that they had a client in Norway or a specific interest in the country. However, Norway has joined many European countries and now allows digital nomads to live in Norway, regardless of where they earn their income.
Norway's digital nomad visa program has opened up exciting opportunities for remote workers and freelancers worldwide who seek to immerse themselves in the country's rich culture while pursuing their professional endeavours. The program offers various types of visas tailored to different travel purposes, making it accessible to a diverse range of applicants.
Living in Oslo is cheaper than living in some American cities
Living in or visiting Norway is a paradise-like experience for most people, and the only real downside could be the relatively higher cost of living. Other notable factors include political and economic stability, beautiful natural attractions, and a strong internet connection in the country. These factors, coupled with the fact that digital nomads can spend up to two years in Norway on this visa, make Norway a wonderful option for digital nomads to consider.
Cost of Living: One of the main factors that may set some digital nomads back is the relatively higher expenses in Norway. Average monthly wages in Norway can easily get around 52,540NOK/month, which is slightly over $5,200 USD. Furthermore, an apartment in Oslo can start at $1,000 USD/month and be more expensive, depending on the size and/or location. However, Oslo is still cheaper than many large American cities, like New York City, so some people may find the costs slightly cheaper.
Internet: The internet speed is fast in Norway, making it an excellent option for digital nomads or remote employees who frequently rely on video meetings. The country’s fixed broadband download speed is 111.55 Mbps.
Natural attractions: Norway typically receives 4-6 million tourists yearly because of the abundance of natural attractions. Many people travel to Norway to see some of the country’s famous fjords, including the Oslo Fjord and Geiranger Fjord, the Voringfossen Waterfalls, and Kjerag mountain. The country has over 40 national parks, over 3,000 protected areas, plenty of hiking trails, and the world’s second-largest coastline. The natural attractions offered in Norway are huge, and it is hard to top Norway if your #1 priority is finding stunning natural destinations.
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You can apply online for your Norway Digital Nomad Visa
Norway is one of two Nordic countries that allow digital nomads to live in the country, so this is an interesting option to examine, following the European countries' steps like Germany and Spain, which have their Digital Nomad Visas. Norway digital nomad visa allows you to stay for up to two years. The digital nomad applies to any freelancer that works remotely and can support themselves in Norway. Interestingly, this visa is a step up from the Norway independent contractor visa, which requires you to have a significant client from Norway. This fact previously made Norway inaccessible to most digital nomads who earned income outside of Norway.
Moreover, the income requirements are very modest, as you only need to prove that you make around €35,000/year ($37,772 USD/year) to be eligible. This requirement is accessible for most digital nomads, and while this isn’t a lot of money in Norway, it can be enough to survive if you value the experience more than saving money.
While most people would love to live in Norway or other nearby countries, there are very few options for digital nomads now. One of the only countries in the region that also offers a digital nomad visa is Iceland, which only allows digital nomads to spend six months in the country.
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Norway is a good option for digital nomads because of the excellent internet speed
In order to apply for this digital nomad visa, you will need to provide general documentation proving that you are eligible and can support your stay. Moreover, you are also required to submit information about your work to prove you fall into the category of a remote employee.
You can include employment contracts, invoices, or other information to prove you are a freelancer or a remote employee. Furthermore, it is easy to line up health insurance policies for digital nomads in advance. You can use temporary Airbnb reservations if you plan to look for accommodation while in Norway. Overall, this application is very straightforward if you meet the definition of a digital nomad and have sufficient income.
Where to apply: One benefit of this digital nomad visa is that you can apply online without visiting an embassy or consulate. This expedites the process and allows you to apply while travelling.
Timeline: You should be able to hear back about your application in less than one month, while the older contractor visa took longer in most cases.
Fee: The fee for this digital nomad visa is around €600 ($647 USD), which is slightly more expensive than the fee for other digital nomad visas.
Income: As previously stated, you will need to prove that you make around €3,000/month ($3,237 USD/month) to be eligible for this visa.
Norway has the world’s second-largest coastline
After living in Norway for up to three years, you can apply for permanent residency. This may be worth considering, especially if you have other ways to apply, such as employment or studying in Norway. The length of this permit is based on your university enrollment, work contract, or other relevant factors. Norway also has an investor visa, but this is tricky because you must prove that you create jobs to be eligible.
For these reasons, the digital nomad visa looks like a relatively solid deal, as it allows you to live in Norway for several years and to explore other options. However, the path to permanent residency is a bit more complex, and it looks like employment is your best bet.
One of the significant benefits of this program is the extension of the duration of stay, allowing visitors to experience Norway for an extended period. The opportunity to live and work in Norway provides a unique chance to immerse oneself in the country's culture, explore its breathtaking landscapes, and engage with the local community. Whether you're a freelancer looking for inspiration or a remote worker seeking a change of scenery, Norway's digital nomad visa program offers a pathway to realize your travel and professional aspirations.
This digital nomad visa is one of the few options in the region and has an excellent, straightforward application process. If you are interested in travelling to Norway and want to spend more than 90 days in the country, this digital nomad visa is an excellent option.