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LIVING IN NORWAY

The differences between being married and a cohabitant in Norway

Depending on whether you are married or just in a long-term relationship with someone in Norway, rules dictating everything from your immigration rights to your tax rules can be different. 

Published: 21 December 2023 12:21 CET
Updated: 28 April 2024 14:41 CEST
Pictured is a couple stood on a rock overlooking the mountains in Norway.
There are a number of differences between being married and a long-term partner in Norway. Pictured is a couple stood on a rock overlooking the mountains in Norway. Photo by Johannes Andersson on Unsplash

During the first chapters of a Norwegian course book or the first lessons of a Norwegian language course, the different types of relationships will be covered. 

Then you will learn the differences between a samboer (live-in partner) and a kjæreste (boyfriend/girlfriend) and what it means to be gift (married), forlovet (engaged) and singel. 

These differences are much more important than simply being able to describe your relationship status. Instead, they will also shape your rights in Norway. 

When it comes to relationship statuses that can affect your life in Norway, the two most important things to focus on are if you have a samboer (cohabitant, live-in partner) or a husband or wife. 

Can you be registered as a partner? 

When it comes to having a cohabitant, there is no formal way of registering as one in Norway. If you need confirmation you live with someone, you can order a residence certificate from the Norwegian Tax Administration. 

Compared to marriage, cohabitation isn’t regulated the same way as marriage is. For this reason, many cohabitants choose to write a cohabitation contract. These contracts dictate who owns what, this is in the event of a breakup. 

When you get married, the National Population Register is updated to reflect this status. Gay and Lesbian couples are allowed to marry in Norway. 

Two people of the same sex can also register their partnership. This gives same-sex couples the same legal rights as those who are married. 

Why are cohabitation contracts used?

This is because cohabitants typically have no rights to inheritance unless they have children together or if they have lived together for more than five years. Inheritance is usually capped unless overwise stipulated in a will. 

The contract is also essential to ensure each party retains its assets, property and debt in case of a breakup. 

Many legal services in Norway offer cohabitation contracts that dictate what happens to shared assets, savings and debts in the event of a breakup. 

If you are married, the separation of assets and debts in case of a breakup is much more defined.

Taxes

There are separate tax rules for married couples compared to those who are just cohabitants. Cohabitants are treated as two separate individuals for tax purposes, even when a cohabitation contract is in place. 

Couples who marry are also treated as two separate individuals, but a married couple can distribute income and deductions between them. They also have double the wealth tax threshold. 

Interest on debt can also be transferred for tax purposes, but this must be done with a contract in place. 

When married, you can buy into your partner’s home without paying stamp duty. 

READ ALSO: Five ways to legally lower your tax bill in Norway

Immigration

The rules for moving to Norway to be with a spouse are slightly looser than if you are moving to be with a partner. 

Non-EU nationals can move to Norway to be with a spouse or registered same-sex partner if they are both over 24 and the marriage is legitimate. The person who the applicant is moving to be with must have an income of at least 320,274 kroner per year.

There are a number of other rules and regulations that you are required to meet, and they are listed on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website. 

When moving to be with a cohabitant, you must be over the age of 24. You must have lived together for two years, and neither party can be married to someone else. The only exception to this rule is if you are having a child together and you are both unmarried or divorced. 

Citizenship 

Having a long-term partner or spouse in Norway can help you obtain citizenship. If you have a long-term partner or Norwegian spouse, you can apply for citizenship after five years of living in the country. Usually, the residency requirements are between six to eight years.

In total, you will need to have a combined residency and marriage period of seven years. For example, if you were married for two years while living abroad, you only need to live in Norway for five to meet the residency requirements for citizenship. 

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DISCOVER NORWAY

Discover Norway: Six great things to do on a rainy day in Oslo

Norway’s capital, Oslo, is still a fantastic place to be when the weather refuses to cooperate. From cosy cafes to world-class museums, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained.

Published: 26 July 2024 14:59 CEST
Discover Norway: Six great things to do on a rainy day in Oslo

Museums

The go to for many in rainy weather are museums. Thankfully, Oslo is home to many fantastic museums worth a visit, regardless of the weather.

A number of them are grouped pretty close together, too, which means you shouldn’t expect to get soaked between visits. Two of Norway’s most beloved museums, the Fram and Kon-Tiki museums, are located opposite one another on the Bygdøy peninsula.

If you are only going to choose one, then we’d choose the Fram, which allows visitors to step aboard the polar ship from which the museum gets its name. The Fram and Kon-Tiki Museum will be joined by the Viking Ship Museum in 2027, which is currently undergoing renovations.

If you choose the Kon-Tiki museum, though, you will be able to enjoy the evening b watching the Oscar-nominated film on the expedition.

Not all the museums in Norway are nautical-themed. There are also two fantastic, newly built galleries, the Munch Museum and the National Museum. Both galleries have versions of Edvard Munch’s world-famous Scream, but the more coveted version is in the national gallery.

There are more than 50 museums in and around Oslo, so we can’t mention them all, but the Vigeland Museum, Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology, Noble Peace Centre, Norway’s Resistance Museum, and Museum of Oslo are among our favourites.

Some museums off the beaten path include the Vigeland mausoleum and the interactive Popsenteretmusic museum.

Take a trip to the sauna

Saunas, particularly those by the Oslofjord, have exploded in popularity in recent years. The moody weather provides a great atmosphere for enjoying the sauna itself, and the heat and relaxation prove the perfect antidote to the weather.

One thing to note for those hoping to take a dip in their sauna is that heavy rain can negatively affect the water quality in some locations around the city. This is caused by the overflow of sewage and contaminants into the water.

Still, this shouldn’t pose too much of a health risk when taking a dip – it’s just important to be aware that you probably shouldn’t accidentally ingest too much water when diving or jumping into the water from heights.

If you fancy taking the relaxation to the next level, there are also plenty of spas in the capital where you can enjoy an indoor pool and spa, in addition to the many treatments offered.

The cinema

This is a great thing to do regardless of your level of proficiency in Norwegian. This is because the biggest blockbusters will typically be played in English rather than dubbed in Norwegian.

Meanwhile, those trying to practice their Norwegian can either see a film made in the country or try to follow the Norwegian subtitles of an English-language film.

While cinemas in Norway aren’t cheap, they could be considered on a similar or slightly lower price level to movie theatres in the UK or US when including the cost of concessions. The Coliseum is one of the capital’s most iconic places to catch a move.

Bars, restaurants and cafes  

There are plenty of fantastic restaurants, cafés and bars in Oslo – and rainy weather is the perfect excuse to hole up in one while you wait for the weather to pass.

Håndbakt Oslo, Neongrut, Kiosk Kaffebar, Oslo Raw, Tim Wendelboe, and Fuglen are all great places to enjoy a great coffee, warm atmosphere, and fantastic baked goods.

Plenty of restaurants serve comforting food, such as Mad Love, Jungel Pizza, and ZZ Pizza if you fancy a slice.

If you want beef between two buns, Illegal Burger and Render Burger are considered two of the best places for a patty. San Francisco Breadbowls serves hearty meals in a handmade loaf of bread. Way Down South and Down South Deli serve BBQ and American deli food.

If a comfort meal means something a bit more international to you, Koie Ramen, Punjab Tandoori, and Dalat Café should have you covered for noodles, curries, and Vietnamese food.

For a more communal atmosphere with plenty of choices, Mathallen is excellent for lunch, while Oslo Street Food always has a lively vibe for dinner.

Some of our picks for bars on a rainy day include Henry & Sally’s, Bruun Larsen, Schouskjelleren, Nektar Vinbar, Grünerløkka Brygghus, Mysterud, and Café Nero. If you’re a cocktail aficionado, then Himkok has been featured on lists of the best bars in the world.

READ ALSO: Six cool and cheap(ish) places to grab a bite to eat in Oslo

Daytrip from Oslo

You could leave town completely if you want to escape the weather.

There are several fantastic towns within a couple of hours of Oslo that are well worth the trip, whether in the hopes of finding better weather or getting away from the city for a while.

Drøbak is just 40 minutes away by car and is home to a charming town centre comprised of white wooden houses and the impressive Oscarborg Fortress.

The Oscarborg Fortress is worth a visit for history buffs, as the site is home to one of the proudest moments of the Norwegian resistance in World War Two.

The former silver mining town of Kongsberg is home to fantastic hiking areas, such as the Elsedam and Svartåsrunden trails.

Fredrikstad is another fantastic place you can visit fairly easily from Oslo. The narrow cobbled streets and the old town make the city particularly charming in the summer.

Get outside anyway

A little bit of rain isn’t really a massive barrier from getting out and enjoying nature, at least in Norway.

The locals have a saying that goes, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes” when translated from Norwegian to English.

Songsvann, Frognerseteren, and Grefsenkollen are all fantastic places to visit, regardless of the weather. While wet weather would likely put you off slippery, stoney climbs, there are plenty of fantastic trails in the tranquil forests surrounding Oslo that offer good traction even in wet weather.

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