RELEVANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE INTENDING TO WORK AND LIVE IN NORWAY
Ranges of salaries working in Norway
The approximate amounts of net salaries according to the nature of the work performed are presented below. The specific amount of salary will depend on your skills, previous work experience and other personal qualities, as well as on the employer’s offer and duration of your employment contract, etc.
1’800 - 3’500 EUR / mo
1’700 - 3’000 EUR / mo
2’000 - 4’000 EUR / mo
2’500 - 4’000 EUR / mo
2’000 - 3’000 EUR / mo
1’500 - 4’500 EUR / mo
Cost of living while working and living in Norway
Prices for rental of temporary accommodation, food, transport and other basic living expenses in Norway are generally higher than in other European countries. However, for those working in Norway and receiving average or a slightly lower salary, they are affordable.
The accommodation price varies depending on the city and the type of accommodation; the price may range from NOK 2000 to NOK 6000 per person per month.
Transport. Those who decide to go in their car should not forget that fuel prices are higher in Norway than in Lithuania. The price of the most popular 95-grade petrol in Norway ranges from about NOK 15.5 to NOK 18 per litre (1.57 – 1.82 euros). Meanwhile, for non-drivers, the monthly cost for public transport often is the same as for a monthly ticket, i.e. about 75 euros.
Roads. There are many toll roads in Norway. The toll road fees when entering the city ranges from NOK 15 to NOK 30. There are certain areas where it is possible to pay the set fee immediately, while in other regions there are installed automatic toll collection machines – AutoPASS. One person usually spends around NOK 200 per month on local road charges.
Food. According to results from research in official statistics carried out in Norway, on average, one person spends between NOK 2,360 and NOK 2,930 per month on food, however, these figures do not include spending on alcoholic beverages and money spent in cafes and restaurants.
For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and read the article "Travel planning for going to Norway".
Taxes and social guarantees when working in Norway
Even though a Lithuanian temporary employment contract shall be signed with the employees, however, they will be working in Norway, and all employee's taxes shall be paid in Norway too.
Persons who are starting to work for the first time in Norway are required to go to Norwegian Tax Administration (SKATTEETATEN) within 2 weeks from the first day of employment and get the TEMPORARY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (D-number) and Tax card. It is necessary to register online for the visit in advance www.skatteetaten.no/en/contact/offices/book/. The Norwegian tax administration shall issue the tax deduction card, which will be used by employers and the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV) to deduct taxes. If you do not have such a card, your income will be taxed at a higher rate of 50%.
“Since 2019, Norway has introduced a simplified taxation system that is called PAYE – Pay As You Earn – (Kildeskatt in Norwegian) for foreign employees who work and live temporarily in Norway.
Under this procedure, any person who has been issued with a Kildeskatt tax deduction card will be taxed at a lower fixed rate of 25%.
Important! If a person has this tax card, he/she will also be taxed at a flat rate of 25% from the annual leave pay.You may refuse this card at any time during the year and change it to a regular one. The card can be changed retroactively until 30 April after the end of the tax year, however, then a separate request must be submitted to Skatteetaten." Further details can be found on www.litnor.no/25proc-2/
Health care services. Most medical services in Norway are subject to payment, even though a person is covered by the Norwegian Social Insurance Scheme. First aid in public hospitals is provided free of charge with a temporary social security number and an identity document.
"On Off Staffing Group" takes care of the employees' insurance against accidents (injuries) with a private insurance company.
Important to know while renting accomodation in Norway
When renting accommodation, it is always very important to sign a contract with the landlord (if the “On Off Staffing group” has not done so).
Take a picture of the residential space and electricity meter readings before settling down.
Agree on the payment and settlement terms and conditions.
Specify whether electricity and internet charges are included in the rental price.
Give notice to the owner that you are going to move out at least 1 month in advance.
Clean and tidy the property on departure and show it to the owner at least 3 days before your departure.
Pay the landlord and get an approval or payment receipt confirming that the rent has been paid. It is a document that proves that all the fees and due amounts have been paid to the service provider.
Take a photo of the residential space before you vacate your rental property. This would help to avoid potential claims from the landlord.
Employment relationships and other relevant information
The management of “On Off Staffing Group” UAB should be contacted in case of early termination of a fixed-term employment contract or continuation of the contract. Also please contact the management of “On Off Staffing Group” for any major issues regarding workload, position or working hours;
If you have any questions regarding the calculation of working hours and salaries, please contact the accounting department of “On Off Staffing Group” UAB: Mobile +37067689686, E-mail buhalterija@onoffstaffing.lt;
Please carry with you an employment contract and document proving your identity at all times;
On the first day at work, deliver copies of the following documents: employment contract in Lithuanian and English, medical certificate 082A;
Work clothing shall be provided at the workplace, but it is necessary to take care of suitable footwear, socks and clothes that you will wear under work clothes (especially important when working in a cool place);
Persons who are starting to work for the first time in Norway are required to go to SKATTEETATEN (Norwegian Tax Administration) within 2 weeks from the first day of employment and get the TEMPORARY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (D-number). It is necessary to register online before arrival www.skatteetaten.no/en/contact/offices/book/;
After receiving the social security number, it is necessary to notify the management of our company as soon as possible;
As soon as you get the Norwegian telephone number, please provide it to the management of “On Off Staffing Group” UAB;
Emergency numbers in Norway: Ambulance – 113, Police – 112, Fire service – 110;
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the Kingdom of Norway: Dronningens gate 3, N-0244 Oslo, Norway, Tel. +4722129201 / FAX. +4722129200, E-mail: amb.no@urm.lt.
Every employee shall be insured against injuries from the date of employment until the termination of their employment contract. In case of an injury, you will have to pay for the medical services provided, therefore we recommend that you contact a public health care institution, and request the medical institution to issue a document proving your payment. It must include the patient’s name, social security number and the amount paid. The employer, i.e. the management of “On Off Staffing Group” UAB must also be notified immediately of the accident. Then the management of “On Off Staffing Group” will inform the insurance company about the accident. A description of the injury (issued by a physician) and X-ray photographs or photographs of wounds, as well as an extract from the patient’s medical records must be provided to the insurance company.
Workplace Culture and Employees’ Responsibilities
Norway is a friendly and hospitable country to those who follow the rules. So the effort to be polite and to get along well with other employees and managers will pay off.
Not all daily tasks will be fun and easy however, it is not acceptable to show dissatisfaction every time.
If the task is not clear, it is better to ask the supervisor for instructions than to carry out your work incorrectly.
Norwegians are polite people, they neither scream nor use foul language when communicating, so you should take their comments seriously and try to make things right. After two polite warnings, noticing that the employee does not put any effort to work better or quicker, they send us a request to replace that employee.
Women need to have their hair neatly tied and not wear jewellery. The requirements are even stricter in the fish industry: artificially enlarged nails and eyelashes are not allowed.
No later than 2 working days after returning from Norway, the temporary worker must come to us and sign the employment termination documents, as well as present confirmation from the landlord or lessor about the rent paid.
A temporary worker may not engage in any illegal work in Norway.