Relocating to Norway

Relocation services & help

The first thing you need to do is contact the Norwegian embassy or consulate, to get more specific information about relocation, customs, and prohibited items. On toll.no you can get an idea of which items are prohibited.

The next step is to set up an appointment with a relocation counsellor to do an in-house estimate. You will find a few good options on websites like Fedemac (Federation of European Movers Associations) or Fidi (a global alliance of professional international moving and relocation companies). You should make a list of the objects that require special care (glass, mirror, a piece of art, special packaging, etc.) and specify to the removal company what you take care of yourself (dismantling furniture, packing dishes, etc.) and what you expect to be included in their services. Additional things you need to consider that will affect the total cost are:

• Origin address where removers will come to pack and load your belongings
• The destination address in Norway, where removers will unload your belongings, and whether everything will be unloaded directly to your destination address, or to a warehouse where you would need to collect your belongings yourself afterwards
• The volume or weight of your items
• How everything will be transported (by air, train, truck, ship)
• Whether insurance damage is included in the fee

You'll also need to make an exhaustive inventory of your belongings, in order to establish a 'declaration of value'; a document that sets the compensation amount you should receive in case of loss or damage. It should state the overall value of your property, as well as the value of particular precious items. This statement is particularly important because, without it, an estimate cannot be established.

Good to know:

In general, carriers handle custom paperwork for you (customs clearance etc.) To be on the safe side, opt for a carrier affiliated with the FIDI.

Moving to Norway with your family

To bring your family to Norway, you need to apply for a family immigration permit. Being related does not 100% guarantee that your family will indeed be granted the permit. Certain income and subsistence requirements need to be met: the sponsor, aka the person who lives in Norway, must be capable of providing for the family financially and have a place for the family to live.

Of course, the rules differ based on whether or not you come from a EU/EEA country. If you're a EU/EEA national, then you and your family members can choose a separate arrangement instead of applying for a family immigration permit. You will find more personalised information on the UDI website ' just type in your country of origin.

Moving to Norway with your pet

To be able to enter Norway, your pet needs to have a pet passport, a microchip implanted, and vaccinations, including vaccinations for rabies. They will also need an original Rabies Certificate stating the microchip number, the inoculation date (at least 21 days before departure), and the validity of the particular vaccination. Dogs will also need to receive tapeworm treatment from a vet (1-5 days before your departure) as well as an EU health certificate. Finally, your vet must perform a clinical examination of your pet at least 24 hours before your departure, and state that your pet is healthy and fit to fly to Norway.

Useful links:

Federation of European Movers Associations
Fidi
Norwegian toll customs