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WHAT CHANGES IN NORWAY

Taxes and strikes: Everything that changes in Norway in April 2024

Strikes being called if mediation doesn't work, and a key tax deadline for the majority are among the key changes happening in Norway in April.

Pictured is a house in Flåm.
There are a number of key changes in Norway in April that you need to know about. Pictured is a house in Flåm. Photo by Hongbin on Unsplash

Tax return deadline

By now, everyone should have received their Norwegian tax return. Around five million residents were sent returns this year by the Norwegian Tax Administration.

The main deadline you will need to be aware of is April 30th, when you must submit your tax return.

READ ALSO: What happens if you don’t file your Norwegian tax return on time?

However, you can also apply for a postponed deadline if you wish. This will allow you more time to go over your tax return.

Tax returns in Norway come mostly filled out. However, it is up to residents to check that the information received is correct and add any missing information.

Some taxpayers in Norway may have until May 31st to complete their tax return.

Potential strikes

Wage negotiation talks between the trade union group the United Federation of Trade Unions and the employer organisation the Federation of Norwegian Industry broke down in March.

Finding a resolution was put on hold until after Easter. After Easter, the parties will return to the negotiation table with the help of a national mediator.

If mediation fails to find an agreement between unions and employers, then unions have signalled that they will be willing to strike from as early as April 8th.
The talks concerned the wages of “front-line” workers in industries where Norwegian firms compete with foreign companies.

They usually act as a barometer for wage rises, as the wage rises for workers in this sector need to ensure that Norwegian businesses remain competitive, so they set the bar for other industries.

If a strike is announced, sympathy strikes could pop up in several other industries.

Unions have repeatedly reiterated that they are willing to strike to secure a real wage increase for workers.

Dog leash rules come into effect

As of April 1st, all dogs must be kept on a lead unless in a dog park. This rule will be in effect until August 20th.

The rule is to protect both domestic and wild animals during the birthing, nesting and mating seasons.

The most likely punishment for being caught breaking the leash law will be a reminder to keep your dog on a lead or a fine.

Some parts of Norway may have tighter rules where dogs need to be kept on leads all year round in certain areas. Therefore it’s always worth checking which rules apply in your specific area.

Winter tyres

As is the rule of thumb over Norway, winter tyres will need to be removed the first Sunday after the 2nd day of Easter. We know that’s not very helpful or easy to understand, as the rule is more of a brain teaser or riddle than a set date.

To break it down, winter tyres will need changing in southern Norway from April 7th 2024.

There are no rules stopping you from using winter tyres past this point, but studded ones will be prohibited.

Areas like Oslo may have additional fines or tolls for the use of studded tyres.

Last chance to ski

The beginning of April will represent the last chance for most people in southern Norway to either alpine or cross-country ski.

Alpine resorts will close for the season in April, and snow in cross-country areas will recede to make way for hiking trails.

The mild weather and the typical spring sunshine make it a great time to be outside, enjoying the last of the winter sports season.

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For members

DISCOVER NORWAY

What’s on in Norway: Ten unmissable events this June

Music and food festivals, Pride parades, and Sankthans are among the many events to look forward to in June in Norway. 

What's on in Norway: Ten unmissable events this June

National Music Day, June 1st 

The Norwegian capital of Oslo will host its free annual music festival at the start of June. More than 50 outdoor stages will be spread across the city, and hundreds of performers will treat Oslo’s residents to all kinds of musical performances. 

Free music will be available everywhere, from pub patios to large stages in parks. The festival’s website provides more information on where the various stages are and who will be performing. 

NEON, June 7th – June 8th 

The NEON music festival in Trondheim has quickly become one of the hottest summer kick-off festivals in Norway since launching in 2022. 

The 2024 edition of NEON will take place on June 7th and 8th in Trondheim’s Bryggeribyen E.C. Dahls Arena. 

2024 festival goers will be able to see Tom Odell, Matoma, Lost Frequencies, Jason Derulo, Benson Boone, Emma Steinbakken, Roc Boyz and many more.

Tickets are already available, and you can choose between a festival pass, daily tickets, or premium ticket options.

Miniøya, June 8th – June 9th 

Since its first edition in 2010, Miniøya has become Norway’s largest music and cultural festival for children. 

The festival is aimed at children up to the age of 12, and its program includes music, theatre, literature, disco, dance, and activities. 

Tickets are still available at the time of writing, and OBOS members receive 100 kroner off the 430 kroner ticket price. 

Oslo Food Festival, June 8th – June 9th

The second weekend in June and the final weekend of August will see the Oslo Food Festival held in trendy Grünerløkka

The festival focuses on foods from around the world. A mix of established and lesser-known restaurants, as well as plenty of home cooks, will be offering up fantastic food. 

For that reason, the event is much a cultural exchange as it is a gathering for foodies. 

Bergenfest, June 12th – June 15th 

It’s not just the capital that will be treated to music festivals in June. Artists such as PJ Harvey, Stormzy, Kaiser’s Orchestra, Jungle and Gabrielle will all take to the stage. 

The festival is being held in Bergenhus Fortress, one of Norway’s oldest and best preserved fortress areas. 

Day passes, weekend passes, and festival passes are all still available at the time of writing

Mablis, June 14th – June 15th 

The music festival, near the centre of Stavanger, aims to blend established acts with new and emerging talent. 

Mablis aims to be an inclusive and sustainable festival, and plenty of local, short-travelled food will be served. 

The festival wants to include the whole family, so there is no age limit. Children under 14 also get to enter the festival free of charge when with an adult. 

OverOslo, June 19th – June 22nd 

Four nights of festival music from acts such as Jungle, Chaka Kahn, Billy Ocean, and plenty of Norway’s biggest funk and pop artists await festivalgoers at the top of Grefsenkollen. 

Tickets for some days are still available at the festival held in the forests above Oslo.  

Sankthans, June 24th 

Sankthans or Jonsok, translated as “John’s wake”, is a Midsummer celebration with both religious and secular roots.

Along with the rest of Scandinavia, it is popular to celebrate with bonfires. In major cities and small towns, the bonfires are typically made along the coastline or in a body of water, and the locals watch from boats or from along the shoreline and bring drinks and snacks. The atmosphere is festive yet relaxed. 

Many Norwegians say that if you sleep with a sankthansblomst or a “red campion flower” underneath your pillow on the night of sankthans, then your future spouse will appear in your dreams.

Pride events 

Norway’s two biggest cities will celebrate Pride in June. Bergen Pride begins at the start of June, and events will continue until the city’s Pride parade on June 8th. 

A number of different events will be held across different venues to mark this year’s celebrations. 

Meanwhile, Norway’s biggest LGBTQ+ celebration, Oslo Pride, will begin on June 19th and end on June 29th. The parade will be held on June 29th.

Gladmat, June 26th – June 29th 

Billing itself as the world’s coolest food festival is Gladmat in Stavanger. The event is Scandinavia’s biggest food festival, and 250,000 visitors will have the opportunity to sample the best flavours from the Stavanger region. 

The festival brings together local food producers, great restaurants and delicious street food. 

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