Work in Norway | Prospects.ac.uk

Home to just over five and a half million people, Norway offers a mix of modern cities and spectacular natural landscapes. Most jobs are concentrated in the south of the country, particularly in:

Bergen
Oslo
Trondheim.

While living costs are high compared with the UK, salaries are also generally higher. Outside work, you'll have easy access to mountains, forests and fjords, making activities such as hiking, cycling and skiing part of everyday life.

Finding work can be competitive, especially if you're applying from overseas. Although English is widely spoken, learning Norwegian can significantly improve your job prospects and help you settle into life in the country. Building professional contacts can also be valuable, as some opportunities are filled through networking rather than formal advertising.

Jobs in Norway

Norway has a stable economy and a low unemployment rate. Employers continue to report skills shortages in a number of sectors, particularly:

healthcare
industry
skilled trades
social care.

Norway had around 3.17million job vacancies in the second quarter of 2026. Healthcare and social services was the country's largest industry, accounting for around one in five jobs, followed by sectors including:

construction
education
retail.

The country's economy is built on both natural resources and services. Other key industries include:

business and finance
energy and petroleum
engineering and manufacturing
environmental and sustainability roles
fishing and aquaculture
mining
renewable energy
shipping and maritime services
technology
tourism.

Where you work may depend on your chosen sector. Oslo has the highest concentration of professional and corporate jobs, while Trondheim is a major centre for technology, engineering and research. Stavanger is closely linked to the energy industry.

International companies are often more likely to advertise roles in English, particularly in:

engineering
energy
professional services
technology.

However, always check language requirements before applying.

Some of Norway's largest employers include:

Shortage occupations

Norway's 2026 employer survey estimated a shortage of around 34,000 workers across the country. The largest shortages were in:

health, care and social care (9,200 workers)
industrial work (5,750 workers)
construction (4,750 workers).

Demand varies between regions and industries, so it's worth researching current vacancies before deciding where to focus your search.

Popular graduate jobs

Fishing
Food processing
Mining
Textiles
Tourism.

How to get a job in Norway

Most vacancies are advertised online through job boards, company websites and professional networking platforms. There were 87,000 job vacancies in Norway in the second quarter of 2026.

You can search for vacancies at:

You can also find opportunities through LinkedIn, company careers pages and Norwegian newspapers such as Aftenposten and Dagbladet.

When applying, you'll need to know what supporting documents are required and check whether:

applications should be submitted in English or Norwegian
the employer will consider candidates who need a residence permit
the role requires professional registration or authorisation
your qualifications are recognised in Norway.

Tailor your CV to each role and highlight the skills, experience and achievements most relevant to the employer.

You don't need to speak fluent Norwegian to apply for every job. Some international companies use English as their working language. However, learning Norwegian can widen your job options and make it easier to integrate into everyday life.

If you're applying from the UK, you'll usually need a residence permit before you can work in Norway. In most cases, you'll need a job offer before applying.

At interview, make sure you're punctual. Professionalism and reliability are highly valued in Norwegian workplaces.

Summer jobs

Taking on seasonal work can be a good way to gain experience, earn money and build contacts in Norway.

Opportunities are commonly available in:

agriculture and horticulture
fish processing
forestry
hospitality
tourism.

You may also find work in warehouses, factories, cleaning services or fruit-picking.

If you're planning to work seasonally, check whether you need a residence permit before travelling. Different rules apply depending on your nationality and the type of work you'll be doing.

You can search for summer jobs, gap-year opportunities and volunteering placements through:

Teaching jobs

As English is widely spoken in Norway, opportunities to teach English can be more limited than in some other countries. Most vacancies are found in larger cities such as Oslo and Bergen.

Potential employers include:

international schools
language schools
private training providers
public and private schools.

A degree, TEFL qualification and previous teaching experience can improve your chances of finding work. While you won't always need fluent Norwegian, having some knowledge of the language can be an advantage.

Find language schools through ESL Base and explore opportunities with the TEFL Institute.

Internships

An internship can help you gain experience of the Norwegian workplace, develop professional contacts and improve your chances of securing longer-term employment.

Most opportunities are based in larger cities such as Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim, particularly with international organisations and larger employers.

You can find internships with major Norwegian employers, including:

Aker BP - summer internships in areas including engineering, drilling, geoscience and data
Avinor - summer internships at Oslo Airport/Gardermoen
Deloitte - audit, technology, risk and strategy/transactions internships in Oslo
KPMG - winter internships in Oslo, Bergen and other locations
Rambøll - engineering summer internships
Thales Norway - summer positions in Oslo and Trondheim
Storebrand - summer internship in Lysaker.

You can also explore internship opportunities through:

Norwegian visas

If you're a UK citizen, you'll usually need a residence permit if you want to work in Norway.

In most cases, you'll need to secure a job offer before applying for a permit. If you have a degree, vocational qualification or specialist skills, you may be eligible for a skilled worker residence permit.

Other permits are available for seasonal workers and certain temporary roles.

If you're an EU/EEA citizen, you have the right to live and work in Norway under EEA rules. If you plan to stay for more than three months, you'll need to register and meet the relevant residence requirements.

Before moving, check the latest immigration guidance from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

If you work in Norway, you'll usually need a:

Norwegian identification number or D-number
tax deduction card.

Your employer will use this information to calculate the tax deducted from your salary.

For the latest guidance, visit the Norwegian Tax Administration.

Language requirements

You can manage everyday life in Norway using English, as around 88% of the population speak English as a second language. However, learning some Norwegian can help you integrate into the local community and may broaden your opportunities when looking for work or an internship.

Many employers expect staff to have at least some Norwegian language skills, particularly in roles involving:

customers
patients
the public.

If a job advert is written in Norwegian, this is often a sign that you'll need to speak and understand the language.

Learning Norwegian can help you:

apply for more jobs
build professional networks
communicate with colleagues
settle into life in Norway more easily.

If you're applying and don't yet speak Norwegian, focus on vacancies where English is listed as the working language.

How to explain your qualifications to employers

A UK degree is widely recognised by Norwegian employers, but some professions have additional requirements.

Regulated professions, including many healthcare and teaching roles, may require formal recognition of your qualifications or professional authorisation before you can work.

Before applying, check whether:

you need professional registration or authorisation
your profession is regulated
your qualifications need to be recognised.

The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) provides information on recognising overseas qualifications.

When applying for jobs, clearly explain your qualifications on your CV by including:

institution name
the qualification title
subject area
relevant skills and experience.

You can find further information through ENIC-NARIC.

What it's like to work in Norway

Norwegian workplaces tend to have flat management structures, where employees are encouraged to contribute ideas and work independently. The culture is generally collaborative, and dress codes are often less formal than in the UK.

The average monthly earnings are 62,070 kr (£4,937). While salaries are typically high, so is the cost of living. Before accepting a job, consider how your income will cover expenses such as:

accommodation
food
transport
utilities.

Working hours are usually Monday to Friday, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance. Overtime is regulated and employees are entitled to additional pay when working beyond their agreed hours.

Norway does not have a single national minimum wage. Instead, minimum pay rates apply in certain industries, while other sectors set pay through collective agreements or employment contracts.

Employees are entitled to at least 25 days of annual leave each year, in addition to 12 public holidays.

Before accepting a role, check your contract carefully to understand:

annual leave entitlement
notice periods
salary and benefits
working hours.

Find out more

Discover what it's like to study in Norway.