Remote work in Norway: Svalbard and self-employment

Does Norway have a digital nomad visa

No. Norway does not issue a separate permit for remote work for a foreign company. On the mainland an employee of a foreign company may stay under Schengen rules for up to 90 days within 180, and living in the country requires a separate basis. For those who work for themselves there are two legal routes: Svalbard and the residence permit for the self-employed.

Svalbard: living without a visa or permits

Under the Svalbard Treaty, foreigners need no visa or permits to live and work on the archipelago. The main condition is self-sufficiency: you must have the means for housing and living for yourself and your family, because there are no social benefits on Svalbard. The Governor may refuse entry or expel those who cannot support themselves.

Svalbard is not in Schengen, but it can only be reached via mainland Norway. So visa-required nationals need a Schengen visa for transit.

Life on Svalbard

Almost everyone lives in Longyearbyen. Most housing belongs to employers and is let to their staff, so finding a flat without a local job is hard. Living costs for one person excluding rent are about €1,100 a month, for a family of four about €4,000, and a one-bedroom flat costs about €1,000. Polar night lasts from late October to mid-February, and protection against polar bears is needed outside the settlements. The hospital is small, and complex cases are flown to the mainland.

Taxes on Svalbard

The archipelago has its own tax law: 8% on wages, with 22% on the largest part, and 16% on other income, including sole trader income. Norwegian taxes apply if you spend more than 183 days on Svalbard. Taxes in your country of citizenship depend on its rules, and we calculate them before the move.

The mainland: residence for the self-employed

You can work for yourself on the mainland with a residence permit for the self-employed. It is granted to skilled professionals with higher or vocational education who run their own sole proprietorship rather than a limited company. Expected income must be at least 2.5 times the national insurance basic amount: from 1 May 2026 this is NOK 341,372 a year before tax, about $35,310. The threshold is recalculated every May. A business plan, an income forecast and proof that the business will operate in Norway are required.

What it costs

Dollars are converted at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026 and rounded up.

Documents

• For Svalbard: a passport, a Schengen transit visa if needed, proof of means for living and housing, health insurance.
• For the self-employed permit: a passport, a higher or vocational education diploma, a business plan and income forecast, contracts or letters from future clients, proof of own funds to start the business.
• For family, apostilled and translated marriage and birth certificates.

Step by step

1. Choosing the route: Svalbard or the self-employed permit on the mainland.
2. For Svalbard: proof of means, housing and a Schengen transit visa if required.
3. For the self-employed permit: a business plan, income forecast, education documents and an application to the Norwegian immigration service, usually from abroad; review takes about 3 months.
4. Entry, registration at the place of residence and tax registration.
5. Renewal: for the self-employed, with a report on the business's actual income.

Why applications are refused

• The self-employed applicant has not proven qualifications, or expected income is below 2.5 times the basic amount.
• The business is set up as a limited company rather than a sole proprietorship.
• The business plan is not linked to Norway or does not show where clients will come from.
• On Svalbard, there are no funds or housing, and the Governor refuses entry or expels the person.
• No Schengen visa for transit via the mainland.

What changes in 2026

From 1 May 2026 the national insurance basic amount rose, and the income threshold for the self-employed is now NOK 341,372 a year instead of 325,400 before May. Self-sufficiency checks on Svalbard are becoming stricter, and restrictions on Russian citizens entering Norway remain.

For Russian citizens

Since 2023 Norway has restricted entry of Russian citizens for tourism, and Svalbard can only be reached via the mainland. So for Russians the route to the archipelago depends on whether they have grounds to enter Norway and a suitable Schengen visa. The self-employed permit is formally available, but checks take longer. Before planning we check the current entry rules for your passport.

Alternatives in Europe

What we do

Murblz specialists work out which route suits you, check entry rules for your citizenship, prepare the business plan and documents for the self-employed permit, calculate taxes and help with housing. If Norway does not suit you, we suggest a country with a nomad visa. A consultant will calculate the cost in the chat, and we fix the estimate in writing before work starts.

Visa benefits

FAQ