Moving out of Norway? Read this to know what you need to do!

Deciding to move out of Norway is an important step that involves a lot of formalities and obligations. Whether you are returning to Poland or planning to settle in another, warmer country, it is worth taking care of every detail.

The moving process does not end with packing your bags - it is important to handle a number of formalities that may affect your future. Here are the 6 most important issues you should remember to ensure the move goes smoothly and without complications.

1. Deregistration

The most important thing when leaving Norway is deregistration itself, meaning reporting a change of address to the Norwegian authorities. You must do this if you plan to stay outside Norway for longer than 6 months. Deregistration should be reported no later than 2 weeks before your planned move, so that everything is done in line with the rules.

Deregistration will allow the authorities to contact you if necessary, even after you have left. After reporting deregistration, you will be required to provide your new address abroad, which will allow Norwegian institutions to send correspondence if, for example, you do not respond to messages from Altinn. This is particularly important because many official matters may arise even after you have left, and failing to respond may lead to possible penalties.

2. Documents

When moving out, it is important that you take all essential documents with you that may be needed in the future. Documentation related to your work, taxes or official correspondence is essential. Make sure you especially keep documents such as skattemeldinger, skatteoppgjør or lønnslippy (payslips).

Why is this so important? First and foremost because Norwegian authorities may carry out tax audits going back several years, and a lack of the relevant documents may result in serious problems, such as financial penalties or an inability to prove your tax status - for example, tax residence. In addition, if your employer has not paid you everything you are owed, having the right documentation will help you assert your rights. It is also worth protecting yourself in case of any future disputes with the authorities.

3. Benefits from NAV

Most benefits, such as barnetrygd (child benefit), are available only to residents of Norway. This means that when you move out, you must give up these benefits. Reporting this to NAV is necessary to avoid a situation where benefits continue to be paid even though you are no longer entitled to them. Failing to report this may result in having to repay funds received in error, which can be an additional burden after moving.

However, if you do not yet have a new job, you have the right to transfer unemployment benefit (dagpenger) to Poland for up to 3 months. To make this possible, you must meet the relevant conditions, such as registering with the Polish employment office and meeting the requirements for job seeking. This can be a good solution for people who want to use the time to find work in their new country without losing their source of income.

4. Other obligations

Moving out of Norway also involves dealing with many other obligations, which can be very individual depending on your situation.

• One of the most important steps is closing your bank account, which may affect your BankID - if you close your account, do not forget to ensure access to BankID in another form so that you can log in to official websites that may still be needed after moving.
• Settling up with your employer is another important matter - make sure you have received all feriepenger (holiday pay) and any outstanding wages due to you.
• In addition, if you rent a flat, remember to give notice on your tenancy agreement with sufficient advance notice.
• Do not forget to terminate contracts with internet, phone or television providers.

Each of these formalities takes time, so it is worth thinking about them well in advance to avoid stress.

5. Annual tax return

One of the annual obligations in Norway, even after moving out, is to submit an annual tax return. Even if you no longer live in Norway, you are still required to report income earned in the country. This process may differ depending on the country you are now in, as your tax residence may affect the taxation rules.

If you are not sure what your tax situation looks like after moving out, it is worth consulting a tax adviser - for example, Efremtid.no. They will be able to advise you on what steps to take to avoid problems with the tax authorities both in Norway and in your new country of residence. Remember that Norwegian authorities have the right to check your returns even after you have moved out, so it is worth making sure that all documents are submitted correctly!

6. Keep an eye on Altinn

After moving out of Norway, it is worth remembering to check your Altinn inbox regularly. Norwegian authorities may need to contact you even if you no longer live in Norway. Altinn is the main channel for official communication, so checking correspondence regularly is important to avoid problems caused by failing to respond to important enquiries, especially in the context of annual tax returns.

Failing to respond to official enquiries may lead to misunderstandings and, in some cases, financial penalties. Therefore, even after moving, it is worth logging in to Altinn from time to time and checking your inbox to make sure you do not miss any important messages.

Moving out of Norway is an important step, but with proper organisation you can avoid formal problems. Remember about deregistration, documents, benefits, obligations, annual tax returns and regularly checking Altinn.

Need help? Contact us on +47 21 38 38 21. We will be happy to help!