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Day-to-day Living in Norway

Driving Licence

If your home country is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), you are allowed to drive in Norway on the driving licence issued in your home country, while it is valid, but you also have the choice of exchanging your licence for a Norwegian one if you wish. Driving is on the right hand side of the road in Norway.

Property

Rural areas in Norway tend to have relatively inexpensive accommodation compared to the central areas, and these are often built to a good standard, whereas Oslo and other main cities in Norway have high housing costs.

If you don't go through an estate agent when buying property, it is essential that you request an authorised valuer to assess the value of the property. Also, you must seek legal advice to help with the drawing up of the sales contract. It is also advisable to check the land registry during the process. The Norwegian Association of Real Estate Agents has published a booklet in English which provides useful information on the process of house-buying.

Renting property

There is a fairly limited rental market in Norway because the majority of people own their own homes. Prices start from around 4,500 krone (around 460) for a small room or studio flat and apartments and houses have far higher prices. If you go further out of the city centre, you are more likely to find something relatively cheaper. Some estate agents may handle rented property, and private landlords will often advertise online or in a newspaper.

If you are looking at renting property in Oslo, there is a section in the evening paper, Aftenposten Aften, which offers details about rental accommodation in its classifieds section. Tenancy agreements are usually valid for the initial one year period, and afterwards for five-year periods with a termination notice period of three months. A security deposit of two or three month's rent is normally payable upon moving into a property.

Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights

Norway is also a beautiful country with wonderful natural phenomena such as the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights. The 24 hour daylight in Norway is a magical experience. During the summer months in northern Norway, you will be able to experience the Midnight Sun fully. Throughout the rest of Norway, nights are also light, with sunset as late as 10:30pm, and sunrise occurring again at 3am. The approximate dates when you can see the Midnight Sun are as follows:

• The North Cape: 14 May - 29 July
  
• Hammerfest: 16 May - 27 July
  
• Troms: 20 May - 22 July
  
• Narvik: 25 May - 18 July
  
• Bod: 4 June - 8 July
  
• Longyearbyen 20 April - 20 August

You are most likely to see the Northern Lights in Norway if you go north of the Arctic Circle, between the beginning of November and the end of February.

Additional information

The electricity supply in Norway is 230 V, which is the same as the UK, but appliances up to 240 V will work.

Emergency numbers:

• Fire - 110
• Police - 112
• Police (only from cellular phones) -911
• Ambulance - 113
• Emergency at open sea - 120

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