Life in Norway
Online platforms
Key resources for finding accommodation in Norway:
- Finn.no — the largest real estate portal (rentals, sales, rooms).
- Hybel.no — a convenient website for finding rooms and small studios.
- Eiendom.no — a resource with listings and analytics on the housing market.
On these platforms, you can select a district and filter listings by price, size, and type of accommodation.
Ukrainian communities
Ukrainians in Norway actively use Facebook groups (“Ukrainians in Norway”) and Telegram chats to find rooms and apartments directly from owners. This is a convenient way to avoid intermediaries, but we still recommend drawing up a written contract.
Required documents
To sign an official contract, you will most often need:
- passport or ID card;
- personal number (D-number or fødselsnummer);
- proof of income (employment contract, bank statement).
Without these documents, landlords are reluctant to rent out their properties, and the terms may be less favorable.
What to look for in the contract
Check the length of the lease, rules for rent increases, who pays for electricity, internet, and cleaning the entrance. It is also important to find out if subletting is allowed.
If you are unsure about the terms or the language barrier prevents you from understanding the details, Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you review the contract and protect your interests.
Types of shops
There are large supermarket chains in Norway: Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop Prix, and Meny. Rema 1000 and Kiwi are more affordable, while Meny has a wider selection but is more expensive. In addition to supermarkets, farmers' markets and small local shops are popular.
Cost of food
Norway is considered an expensive country in terms of food. Average monthly food expenses:
- for one person — EUR 300–400;
- for a couple — EUR 500–700;
- for a family with a child — EUR 800–1,000.
Examples of prices (as of 2026):
- Bread — 2.5–3 EUR
- Milk (1 liter) — 1.8–2.2 EUR
- Chicken (1 kg) — 10–12 EUR
- Eggs (12 pieces) — 4–5 EUR
- Apples (1 kg) — 3–4 EUR
How to save
In Norway, the mobile apps Too Good To Go and Matsentralen are popular, allowing you to buy groceries at significant discounts. Supermarkets also offer discounts on products with a short shelf life, which are marked with special stickers. Buying in bulk (for example, at Coop Obs!) and using discount cards also helps to save money.
Cafés and restaurants
Eating out in Norway is expensive, even by European standards:
- Lunch at an inexpensive café — 15–20 EUR for a main course
- Dinner at a mid-range restaurant — EUR 25–40 per person, excluding drinks
- Coffee or dessert at a café — EUR 4–6
Alcohol in restaurants and bars is very expensive: a glass of wine or beer costs EUR 8–12.
Public transport
Public transport in Norway is well organized and convenient. Cities have buses, trams, subways (in Oslo), electric trains, and ferries. Fares are paid through the Ruter (Oslo and Viken) or Skyss (Bergen) apps. A single trip in the city costs 3–4 EUR, a day pass costs about 10 EUR, and a monthly pass in large cities costs 70–90 EUR.
Travel between cities
The most convenient options for traveling between cities are:
- Vy — national railway with modern trains;
- Bus companies (Nor-Way, Vy Buss);
- Low-cost airlines for long distances (Widerøe, Norwegian).
Prices: for example, a train trip from Oslo to Bergen costs 35–60 EUR per ticket when booked in advance.
Car
Having your own car in Norway gives you freedom, but it is expensive to maintain. Gasoline costs approximately 1.9–2.1 EUR/liter, diesel is slightly cheaper. Important to note: large cities have toll roads and restricted traffic zones, and parking is expensive (3–5 EUR/hour).
Foreign cars require international insurance (Green Card). You can get a Green Card online in 5 minutes on the Visit Ukraine website.
Banks that work with foreigners
In Norway, the main banks that work with foreigners are DNB, Nordea, Handelsbanken, and Sbanken. They open both regular current accounts (brukskonto) and savings accounts.
Services such as Vipps and Revolut are very popular for domestic transfers and payments. Revolut can be opened remotely before obtaining a Norwegian number, but a D-number or fødselsnummer is required for local bank cards.
Required documents
To open an account with a Norwegian bank, you will need:
- passport
- D-number or fødselsnummer (personal identification number)
- proof of residence and employment contract.
Without a D-number, banks can only open a limited account with basic functionality.
Currency, cash withdrawals, and fees
The main currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK). ATMs are available everywhere, cash withdrawal fees are low, but most payments are made by card or via mobile apps.
Cash is rarely used. For example, very small cafés, farmers' markets, or private sellers (e.g., flea markets) sometimes only accept cash.
It is usually sufficient to carry 200–500 NOK in cash for unforeseen situations.
Mobile operators and tariffs
In Norway, the main mobile operators are Telenor, Telia, and Ice.
Prepaid starter packs (kontantkort) cost 5–10 EUR, and a basic package with 5–10 GB of internet costs 20–25 EUR/month. Coverage across the country is very good, even in remote areas.
Contract or prepaid?
Most newcomers use prepaid SIM cards, which can be topped up online or in stores. Contract tariffs are arranged after obtaining a personal number (D-number) and are advantageous for long-term stays.
Home internet
Popular providers: Altibox, Telenor, Telia.
Internet speeds are high (often 200–500 Mbit/s), and the cost is 35–50 EUR/month. In new apartments, the internet is often already connected, but you need to activate the contract in your name.
Tips
If you plan to stay for a long time, buy a SIM card from a local operator and register it in your name. For home internet, compare packages: in Norway, there are often “internet + TV” promotions with discounts for the first few months.
Kindergartens
In Norway, most children attend barnehage (kindergartens).
Places in state kindergartens are subsidized by the state, and parents pay a fixed amount: approximately 250–300 EUR/month for a full day, including meals. Private kindergartens are slightly more expensive but operate according to similar rules. Applications for kindergarten are submitted in advance through the municipality system.
Schools
Primary and secondary education in public schools is free. Instruction is in Norwegian, but special language classes (innføringsklasser) are organized for foreign children to help them integrate quickly. Private and international schools cost from EUR 5,000 per year and up.
After school, many schools offer SFO (Skolefritidsordning), an after-school program where children can stay under supervision, play, do crafts, or play sports. The service is paid (about EUR 200–300 per month) but is very convenient for working parents.
Homework in primary school is minimal, and great emphasis is placed on developing social skills and working in groups.
For children who do not speak English or Norwegian, language courses are provided alongside their regular schooling.
Adaptation and integration programs
Municipalities organize integration programs for families with children: language courses, counseling, and support groups. Parents can get help choosing a kindergarten and school through NAV (the state employment and social security service).
Clubs and leisure activities
In Norway, children have many opportunities for development outside of school. The most popular clubs are soccer, skiing, swimming, music, and visual arts. Many sections are organized by sports clubs (idrettslag), which are run on a voluntary basis and are inexpensive, costing around 100–300 EUR per year.
In large cities, there are cultural centers (kulturskole) where children can take music, dance, theater, and painting lessons. For low-income families, the municipality may cover part of the costs or even provide discounts/grants through the Aktivitet program.
A popular activity among Norwegians is hiking (friluftsliv). Children are introduced to nature from an early age: schools often organize field trips, and many clubs have weekend hikes for families.
Another feature is summer and winter camps (sommerleir / vinterleir), which are run by municipalities and clubs. This is a great way to make friends and integrate more quickly.
How the healthcare system works
Norway has a public healthcare system. After registering (obtaining a D-number or fødselsnummer), you are automatically entered into the system and given access to a general practitioner (fastlege). Visits to a family doctor are subsidized, but a small fee (around EUR 20–25) is payable for each visit. Hospitalization in public hospitals is covered by the state.
Private insurance
Newcomers who do not yet have a Norwegian personal number, as well as tourists, must take out private health insurance to cover treatment in private clinics and emergencies. The cost of such a policy ranges from 1.5 to 3 EUR per day, depending on the coverage.
Who is it for:
- New arrivals without registration;
- Students who have come for a short stay;
- People who travel frequently to other EU/EEA countries;
- Those who want faster access to private doctors.
How to get it
The most convenient solution for the first time is international insurance online.
💡On Visit Ukraine, you can take out a medical insurance policy in just a few minutes, choosing the term and scope of coverage to feel confident even before you get access to the Norwegian system.
Fines and rules
Norway is known for its discipline: fines for breaking the rules are very high. Speeding can result in a fine of 500–1500 EUR, and parking violations can cost 50 EUR or more. There are also strict environmental regulations: fines are imposed for littering in unauthorized areas and for violating waste sorting rules.
Language courses
The municipality organizes free Norwegian language courses (introductory courses) for newcomers. Once you have received your personal number, you will be eligible to enroll in these courses. For those who have not yet registered, there are private language schools, but they are not free.
Leisure and adaptation
Norway offers many opportunities for integration: cultural centers, libraries, sports clubs, and volunteer projects. Local residents are open to communication, especially during joint events. Many cities have Ukrainian communities that help with adaptation.
Tips
In the first few months after moving, it is important to:
- register with the municipality;
- find housing, mobile phone service, and a bank account;
- take advantage of government support programs.
✅ Services from Visit Ukraine for Ukrainians in Norway
Living in Norway opens up new opportunities, but at the same time presents you with many everyday challenges. To make your adaptation smoother, on the Visit Ukraine platform you can:
- Apply for health insurance online
- Order a Green Card for your car
- Get legal advice on renting, banks, or documents
- Learn more about moving, documents, and integration
We are here to support you in any country 💙