Have you ever dreamt of retiring to Norway but not quite sure about the expenses you might have? Or perhaps you’d like to know more about how your money living in Norway will be spent? You don’t need to look any further because we already know the answers.
Here’s a step by step breakdown of the retirement cost for Norway:
| MONTHLY EXPENSES | COST |
| Rent for a 3 Bedroom House | $1,483 USD / 12,662 kr |
| Rent for a 1 Bedroom Flat | $914 USD / 7,804 kr |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Rates) | $194 USD / 1,656 kr |
| Internet | $58 USD / 495 kr |
| Maid Service (Hourly) | $10 USD / 85 kr |
| Groceries | $36 USD / 307 kr |
| Dining Out (2 people) For 4 times | $168 USD / 1,434 kr |
| Healthcare | $258 USD / 2,200 kr |
| Fitness or Social Club Membership | $48 USD / 410 kr |
| TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES (1 bed) | $1,686 USD / 14,086 kr |
| TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES (3 bed) | $2,255 USD / 18,994 kr |
NOTE: These are prices in the capital city of Norway, Oslo. These prices might be a lot cheaper if you settle outside of the metropolitan city of Norway.
TIP: kr indicates the Norwegian Krone
Now that you see the overview of the costs of retiring to Norway, let’s take a closer look at them and see how you may stretch more of your savings during your retirement.
Is Norway A Nice Place To Live?
Norway is a Nordic country with mountains, glaciers, and deep fjords along its coast. The capital Oslo is filled with beautiful parks and museums. The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo has maintained 9th-century Viking ships which are on display. Fishing, hiking, and skiing are also popular in Norway, particularly at Lillehammer’s Olympic resort.
Norway has continuously ranked in the top ten of the world happiness index indicating that its citizens are extremely happy with their nation and their life there. It’s no surprise that retiring in Norway has long been a popular choice for people from all over the world given its high quality of life, breathtaking landscape, human-friendly cities, pristine outdoors, and laid-back lifestyle.
Some people fantasize about retiring to the beach, while others choose picturesque communities, winter sports, snowy landscapes, or stunning views of perfectly clear fjords tucked between towering mountain peaks. If you like the latter, Norway might be the perfect location for you to retire.
Norway is a lovely country with charming towns and breathtaking scenery. While obtaining permanent residency status might be difficult, the excellent healthcare and diverse range of activities offered make it well worth the effort.
NOTE: If you want to know what are the most popular places to live or retire in Norway check this article The Best 9 Places To Live Or Retire In Norway.
Official Tourist Information Website:
LINK: Visit Norway
What Is Healthcare Like In Norway?
The World Health Organization ranked the Norwegian Health Care System 11th in overall performance, which is much better than the US healthcare system. Many people believe that Norway provides free public healthcare. It is actually a combination of government and user contribution with the user contribution quite low..
Prescriptions and doctor’s appointments are paid for by everyone but only up to a certain annual limit which is roughly about 2200kr ($258 USD). Everything is free once you’ve paid off that limit. The aim of this program is to be as equal as possible with everyone contributing something. If you suffer a serious condition, the hospital bill will not be that expensive.
Most clinics feature automated systems that you can use before departing to make sure you’ve paid any remaining balance. If you leave the office without reaching your limit, you’ll receive an invoice with a fee attached in the mail.
Regardless of their social or economic situation, all Norwegians and Norwegian permanent residents have access to high-quality treatment. Local governments coordinate activities and campaigns to promote healthy lives including primary, preventative, and nursing care.
But if you are not a permanent resident you are obliged to get an international health insurance before you enter Norway until you are granted permanent residency status. Insurance coverage for expatriates in Norway will begin at $199 USD per year with a deductible of $1000 USD for any serious surgery.
Here are a few recommended private health insurance in Norway:
Can A Foreign Resident Own A Property In Norway?
Yes, you can. To purchase property in Norway you don’t have to be a Norwegian citizen. You can get your residence permit right now if you plan to migrate to Norway. A property can be purchased by anyone wishing to have a second property in Europe. In Norway, property sales work the same as the rest of the world with buying from the sellers real estate agent.
The cost of living in Oslo is around 40% more than in the United States excluding rent. Rental rates are about 15% lower though. If you intend to live only on your Social Security retirement pension, you may find it difficult to do so in Norway without living a bit further out from the centre of town or in a smaller town.
Purchasing a property in Norway is much more costly than in the United States. In the United States the average price per square foot for a city center apartment is around $292 USD. In Norway, the price per square foot for a city center apartment is $610 USD. As a result, if you rent rather than buy in Norway your dollar will stretch much further.
You can look for a home on your own but it is best to contact a domestic or international realtor to assist you. They will not only assist you with the legal matters but they will also provide you with some insights and advice on the ideal region for you to live in. They will also be able to let you know how flexible the prices are in different areas.
The cost of a three bedroom house in the capital city of San Juan Del Sur will be around $690k USD and for a one bedroom bedroom will be around $235k USD
NOTE: Oslo is the most expensive city in Norway. You can get much cheaper property in any other city than Oslo.
Here are a few real estate you can check for pricing:
NOTE: Some of these websites are in Norwegian. Enable the auto translation feature on your browser to get it in English.
What Visas Are Available For Foreign Retirees In Norway?
Norway, unlike some other European nations, does not offer a retirement pass or visa. To settle in Norway without a work visa you must have a fixed residence and sufficient funds to support yourself.
It does offer citizenship and permanent residency visas. A person must meet numerous criteria to get permanent residence. The first is a yearly annual salary of NOK 191,422, or around $21,300 USD. Applicants must also be able to speak Norwegian and complete the required health checks.
LINK: Norway Visa Requirements
How Much Do Groceries Cost in Norway?
Although eating out may sound appealing, doing so on a regular basis can be pretty expensive. Because of the high cost of dining out most people here save that for special occasions or only once a week unless on a local salary. If you are living on a budget in Norway it is much better and cheaper for you to cook at home rather than eating out.
Here is the overview of the average price for groceries in Norway:
| Item | Per | Price |
| Milk | 1 Liter / 1 quart | $2.1 USD |
| Bread | 1 Loaf | $3.9 USD |
| Eggs | 1 Dozen | $4 USD |
| Beef | 1 kg/ 2.2 pounds | $24 USD |
| Chicken Fillet | 1 kg/ 2.2 pounds | $15.5 USD |
| Beer | 12 | $31.5 USD |
NOTE: These prices were only valid at the making of this article and check the grocery websites below for current pricing.
TIP: Use the keywords “supermarked” or “dagligvarebutikk” if you are trying to find a local market or supermarket in Norway.
Here is a common local supermarket you can look at for current prices:
LINK: Meny Supermarket
NOTE: The website mentioned above is in Norwegian. Be sure to enable the auto translate feature if you are using google chrome to browse.
