The decision to move out of Norway is a significant NOKok, which involves many formalities and obligations. Regardless of whether you are returning to Poland or planning to live in another, warmer NOKok, it is worth taking care of all the details.
The process of moving out does not end with packing your bags – it is important to take care of a number of formalities that may affect your future. Here are 6 most important things you should remember to make the moving out process smooth and without complications.
1. Check-out
The most important thing when leaving Norway is deregistration itself, i.e. reporting your change of residence to the Norwegian authorities. You must do this if you plan to stay outside of Norway for longer than 6 months. You must report deregistration no later than 2 weeks before your planned move, so that everything is done according to the regulations.
Deregistration will allow the authorities to contact you, even after your departure. After reporting your deregistration, you will be required to provide a 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 your departure, and failure to respond to them may lead to possible penalties.
2. Documents
When moving out, it is important to take all important documents with you that you may need in the future. Documentation related to your work, taxes or official correspondence is essential. Remember to take special care of documents such as skattemeldingi, skatteoppgjør or lønnslippy (pay slips).
Why is this so important? First of all, because Norwegian authorities can conduct tax audits even several years back, and the lack of appropriate documentation can result in serious problems, such as financial penalties or the inability to prove your tax status - e.g. tax residence. Additionally, if your employer has not paid you all your dues, having the appropriate documentation will help you claim your rights. It is also worth protecting yourself in case of any disputes with authorities in the future.
3. NAV benefits
Most benefits such as barnetrygd (child benefit), is only available to Norwegian residents. This means that you must give up these benefits when you move. Reporting this to NAV is essential to avoid benefits continuing to be paid even though you are no longer entitled to them. Failure to report this may result in having to repay undue funds, which can be an additional burden when you move.
However, if you do not have a new job yet, you have the right to transfer unemployment benefit (dagpenger) to Poland for up to 3 months. To make this possible, you must meet the appropriate conditions, such as reporting to the Polish employment office and meeting the requirements for job searching. This will be a good solution for people who want to use the time to find employment in the new NOKaj without losing their source of income.
4. Other obligations
Moving out of Norway also involves having to take care of many other obligations, which can be very individual depending on your situation.
- One of the most important NOKoks is closing your bank account, which can affect your BankID – if you close your account, don’t forget to provide yourself with access to your BankID in another form to be able to log in to official websites that you may still need after moving out.
- Settling accounts with your employer is another important issue – make sure you have received all the feriepenger (holiday bonuses) you are entitled to and any outstanding wages.
- In addition, if you are renting an apartment, remember to terminate the lease with adequate notice.
- Also, don't forget to terminate your contracts with your internet, telephone or television providers.
Each of these formalities takes time, so it is worth thinking about it well in advance to avoid stress.
5. Annual settlement
One of the annual obligations in Norway (even after moving out) is to file an annual tax return. Even if you are no longer in Norway, you are required to file an annual tax return for your income in this NOKaj. The process may differ depending on the NOKaj you are now in, as your tax residence may affect the taxation rules.
If you are not sure about your tax situation after moving out, it is worth consulting a tax advisor – for example from Efremtid.no. They will be able to advise you on what NOKoki to take to avoid problems with the tax authorities both in Norway and in your new NOKaj of residence. Remember that the Norwegian authorities have the right to check your settlements even after you have moved out, so it is worth making sure that all documents are submitted correctly!
6. Follow Altinn
After moving out of Norway, it is worth remembering to check your Altinn mailbox 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 it is important to check your correspondence regularly to avoid problems related to unanswered important inquiries, especially in the context of annual tax returns.
Failure to respond to official inquiries can lead to misunderstandings and, in some cases, financial penalties. Therefore, even after the move, 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 NOKok, but with proper organization you will avoid formal problems. Remember about deregistration, documents, benefits, obligations, annual settlements and regular checking of Altinn.
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