Starting September 1, 2025, Norway will require work permit applicants to meet new salary requirements as the country has made significant adjustments to the normal salary levels to reflect wage growth.
Under the current rules that Norway has in place, the salary and work conditions of foreign workers need to correspond with the Norwegian standards. The new income level will be used to assess whether the salary offered to foreign workers is in line with these rules, Schengen.News reports.
To be granted a residence permit to work in Norway, your salary and working conditions must be in line with what is normal in Norway. The annual adjustments we have made in the past have not kept pace with wage growth. Therefore, we have made significant adjustments to the salary requirements.
According to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), foreign workers who will be working in a sector covered by a collective agreement must be paid the collective wage rate.
In line with the new rules that are set to become effective starting September 1, those applying for work permits to carry out roles that require a bachelor’s degree must be paid NOK 522,600 (around €45,190) per year, up from the current NOK 469,366 (around €40,587).
On the other hand, foreigners carrying out positions that require a master’s degree must be paid NOK 599,200 (around €51,802) yearly, up from the current NOK 513,100 (around 44,358€) to be granted a work permit by the Norwegian authorities.
Lower Salaries May Be Accepted With Proof of Local Standard, UDI Said
Even though Norway has decided to increase the salary requirements from September, UDI has explained that exemptions will apply.
According to UDI, lower salaries may be accepted provided that the work permit applicants are able to prove that such a payment is normal for their occupation in the place where they will be working.
We may accept a lower salary if you can document that this is normal for your occupation in the place where you will be working. However, it takes substantial evidence to provide documentation for this. However, it takes substantial evidence to provide documentation for this.
Earlier in February of this year, Norway also increased the minimum annual income requirement for foreigners wanting to bring their family members to the country under the family reunification rules.
The minimum annual income requirement for family reunification increased to NOK 400,000 (€34,116) instead of the previous NOK 335,000 (€28,572).
