No general minimum wage, but legally binding minimum pay in nine sectors – from cleaning and construction to hotels and restaurants – and a written contract for every job. In 2026 Norwegian businesses were short of about 34,000 workers, above all in health care, industry and construction. Find out where to look, how to register and how tax works in your first weeks.
Students from the EU/EEA can work in Norway alongside their studies. If you study there for more than 3 months, you register with the police – free of charge – just like workers.
Students from outside the EU/EEA automatically get permission to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week with their study permit, and full-time during holidays.
Thinking of studying there first? See Studying in Norway – practical information.
Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.