Working in Norway in 2026: find a job, contract and tax

How do you start working in Norway?

To work in Norway you need the right to work, a legitimate employer, a written employment agreement and a tax deduction card. NAV arbeidsplassen.no lists vacancies, including some in English. Norway has statutory minimum rates only in certain sectors, not one general national minimum wage, so check the rules for your sector and your contract.

Where can you find jobs?

NAV arbeidsplassen.no is a large public vacancy portal with filters by location and occupation, and some adverts are in English. Employers official career pages can help too. Verify the company, workplace, salary and working hours before you sign. Do not pay unknown people to reserve an unverified position.

When must a written contract be ready?

Every employee must have a written contract, including short-term staff. For employment lasting more than one month, it must be ready as soon as possible and no later than seven days after work starts. For work lasting one month or less, it must be ready on the day work starts. The contract covers pay, working hours, pay dates, duration and holiday pay. Arbeidstilsynet, checked 10.11.2026.

Is there a statutory minimum wage?

Norway has no general statutory minimum wage. Extended collective agreements do set binding minimum rates in ten sectors, including construction, cleaning, hospitality, fish processing, electricians and road freight. From 6 November 2026 the construction rate is NOK 276.48 per hour for skilled workers and NOK 250.63 for unskilled workers with no sector experience. These are rates for one sector, not a general wage in Norway. Arbeidstilsynet, checked 10.11.2026.

How do you get a tax deduction card?

Anyone working in Norway needs a tax deduction card. Without one, the employer must deduct 50 percent tax until it is in place. The card is issued after an ID check at a tax office, with exceptions for some groups. Most new foreign workers fall under the PAYE scheme with a fixed tax rate, but can choose the ordinary rules instead. That choice cannot be changed later. Do not compare gross and net pay without your actual tax card. Skatteetaten, checked 10.11.2026.

What if you need a residence permit?

The right to work and permit rules depend on citizenship. EU/EEA nationals follow different rules from citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA. Check the rules at UDI before you start work. A job offer does not remove the permit requirement. Seasonal and skilled work can have different conditions.

Read also on NorgeGuide

Calculate pay after tax: net salary and taxes in Norway.

Find recruitment agencies in Oslo.

Find finance and accounting firms in Oslo.

Sources

NAV, finding a job in Norway: arbeidsplassen.nav.no, checked 10.11.2026.

Arbeidstilsynet: employment contracts and minimum wage, checked 10.11.2026.

Skatteetaten: tax deduction cards for foreign workers, checked 10.11.2026.

UDI: work immigration, checked 10.11.2026.