How do you hire a cleaner in Norway, and what does it cost?
Approved cleaning firms, paying a private person and the minimum wage.
Short answer
You can hire a cleaner through a company approved by Arbeidstilsynet or pay a private person directly, which is tax-free up to NOK 6,000 a year. You agree the price with the company, but it must pay adult cleaners at least NOK 236.54 an hour. Buying cleaning from a company that is not approved is illegal, also for private persons.
Why
- Arbeidstilsynet says all companies offering cleaning services must be approved, and that buying from companies that are not approved is illegal also when private persons buy.
- Skatteetaten says you must report to it when you pay a private person more than NOK 6,000 a year, and that up to NOK 60,000 you can use the simplified a-melding without paying employer's contribution.
- The minimum wage for cleaners in companies is NOK 236.54 an hour for those over 18 and NOK 185.55 for those under 18, in force since 15 June 2025.
Details
You can search Arbeidstilsynet's cleaning register (renholdsregisteret) by name or organisation number, and all employees who do cleaning work must hold an HSE card (HMS-kort). If you pay a private person more than NOK 60,000 a year, you must pay employer's contribution on the whole amount. The simplified scheme requires that the work is done in your home and that the person does not have a company in the same trade.
Tip
Ask to see the cleaner's HSE card and check the firm in the register before the first visit, so you do not risk buying illegal services.
What may differ
If illness or reduced function makes housework hard, you can apply to your municipality for home help (praktisk bistand). In Oslo it costs between NOK 40 and NOK 402 an hour in 2026, depending on household income.
People also ask
- How much does a cleaner cost in Norway?
Sources
- Arbeidstilsynet: register of approved cleaning companiesChecked at:
- Arbeidstilsynet: authorisation scheme for cleaning companiesChecked at:
- Skatteetaten: paying for small jobs in the homeChecked at:
- Arbeidstilsynet: minimum wageChecked at:
- Oslo kommune: practical help (home help)Checked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Arbeidstilsynet and Skatteetaten before you hire a cleaner.
Household and servicesRelated questions
-
Where can you get a rug or carpet cleaned in Oslo?
In Oslo you can have a rug cleaned at home by Oslo Møbel og Tepperens, from NOK 990, or take it to a Vinderen Rens dry cleaner.
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Who pays for chimney sweeping in Norway?
The property owner pays for chimney sweeping through a municipal fee for sweeping and inspection, and a landlord cannot charge a tenant for it on top of rent.
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Where do you throw away electronics, batteries and polystyrene in Norway?
Hand in electronics and batteries at a shop that sells the same type of product or at a recycling station, where Oslo also takes larger amounts of polystyrene.
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Do cleaning companies have to be approved in Norway?
Yes, every business offering cleaning services in Norway must be approved by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet), and buying cleaning from unapproved firms is illegal.