Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Norway Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Norway Property Pack
Running an Airbnb in Norway can be profitable, but short-term rental rules are tighter than in many countries, especially for apartments in shared buildings.
This guide covers Airbnb regulations, realistic earnings, and competition in Norway as of early 2026, with constantly updated data on housing prices and potential returns.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Norway.
Insights
- Tromsø commands Norway's highest Airbnb nightly rates at around NOK 2,250 (about $225), driven by Northern Lights tourism during winter months when occupancy can exceed 64%.
- Apartments in Norwegian condominium buildings face a statutory 90-day annual cap on whole-unit short-term letting, with bylaws able to adjust this between 60 and 120 days.
- The gap between top and average Airbnb hosts in Norway is roughly 15 percentage points in occupancy, with top performers hitting 65 to 70% while average hosts hover around 50 to 55%.
- Bergen delivers strong Airbnb revenues at nearly NOK 30,000 monthly gross, thanks to cruise tourism and the UNESCO-listed Bryggen waterfront drawing consistent demand.
- Norway has an estimated 55,000 active short-term rental listings nationwide, with about half concentrated in Oslo, Bergen, Tromsø, Trondheim, and Stavanger.
- Monthly operating expenses for a typical Norwegian Airbnb apartment run between NOK 8,000 and NOK 15,000, with HOA fees alone often reaching NOK 2,500 to NOK 6,500.
- Housing cooperatives (borettslag) in Norway often impose stricter short-term rental limits than condominiums, sometimes requiring board approval for any guest stays.
- Seasonal revenue swings in Norway can be dramatic, with Tromsø earning up to 1.6 times average monthly revenue during winter aurora season while Oslo peaks in summer at 1.25 to 1.40 times average.
- VAT registration becomes mandatory for Norwegian Airbnb hosts whose short-term rental income exceeds NOK 50,000 within any 12-month period.
- The most crowded Airbnb price segment in Norway sits between NOK 1,200 and NOK 1,600 per night for studios and one-bedroom apartments, leaving white space in the family-friendly two to three bedroom category.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Norway in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting through platforms like Airbnb is generally allowed in Norway, but the rules depend heavily on your property's ownership structure and building type.
The main legal framework comes from the Eierseksjonsloven (Condominium Act) and Burettslagslova (Housing Cooperative Act), which set specific rules for apartments in shared buildings.
The most important restriction is the 90-day annual cap on whole-unit short-term rentals in condominium buildings, meaning you cannot rent out your entire apartment for more than 90 nights per year unless your building's bylaws allow a different limit within the 60 to 120 day range.
Additional restrictions apply in housing cooperatives (borettslag), where boards often have stronger internal controls and may require approval for any short-term letting.
Penalties for violating these rules typically come through your building's association, which can issue warnings, fines, or pursue legal action.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Norway.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Norway.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Norway as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Norway defines "short-term letting" as stays of up to 30 consecutive days, and apartments in condominium buildings face a default annual cap of 90 nights for whole-unit rentals, though building bylaws can adjust this between 60 and 120 days.
These rules primarily affect apartments in eierseksjonssameier (condominium associations) and borettslag (housing cooperatives), while detached houses and row houses typically face no statutory cap but must comply with tax obligations.
Hosts in Norway typically track rental nights through their Airbnb calendar and booking history; while no mandatory government reporting exists, accurate records are essential for tax filing and proving compliance.
If a host exceeds the maximum cap, the building's association can take enforcement action including warnings, fines, and potentially legal proceedings.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Norway right now?
Norway does not have a national residency requirement for operating an Airbnb, so you can legally rent out a property where you do not live.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can operate short-term rentals, but they face the same building-level restrictions as anyone else, meaning a condominium apartment is still subject to the 90-day cap regardless of whether it's your primary residence.
There are no additional permits required for non-primary residence short-term rentals at the national level, though your activity may be classified as business activity by tax authorities if you rent frequently, bringing different tax treatment and potential VAT obligations.
The main difference between renting a primary versus secondary home comes down to tax treatment, as Skatteetaten looks at scope, frequency, and duration when deciding classification.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Norway
Buying real estate is a significant investment. Don't rely solely on your intuition. Gather the right information to make the best decision.
Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Norway right now?
Norway has no national law that limits how many Airbnb listings one person can operate, so running multiple properties under one name is technically possible.
There is no specific maximum number of properties you can list, but each property must comply with its own building rules, meaning each apartment in a condominium is individually subject to the 90-day cap and any stricter bylaws.
Hosts with multiple listings face additional considerations around business registration and VAT, as tax authorities are more likely to classify your activity as business operation, which means registering and handling VAT if turnover exceeds NOK 50,000 annually.
The regulatory logic behind scrutinizing multi-property hosts is to prevent housing stock from being converted into de facto hotels.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Norway as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Norway does not require a universal "Airbnb license" for hosts, but business registration becomes necessary when tax authorities classify your letting as business activity rather than passive rental income.
If your hosting is deemed business activity, you would register through the Brønnøysund Register Centre, which typically takes a few days online, and you become subject to business tax rules.
Documentation requirements include proof of property ownership or rental rights, and if you exceed NOK 50,000 in VAT-liable turnover within 12 months, you must register in the VAT Register through Altinn.
There are no licensing fees specifically for short-term rentals, but business registration involves standard administrative costs and ongoing compliance.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Norway as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Norway does not have formal "Airbnb ban zones" at the municipal level; restrictions come primarily through building-level rules in condominiums and cooperatives rather than geographic prohibitions.
Neighborhoods facing the most scrutiny are high-density urban cores where housing pressure is greatest, including Oslo's Sentrum, Grünerløkka, Frogner, and Gamle Oslo (including Bjørvika and Sørenga), as well as tourist hotspots like Lofoten.
These areas face heightened attention because short-term rental concentration affects housing availability, and the Norwegian government has signaled ongoing work on giving municipalities more regulatory tools.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Norway compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Norway in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Norway's major markets is approximately NOK 1,650 (around $165 or €150), while the median sits closer to NOK 1,450 ($145 or €132), reflecting the upward skew from luxury properties.
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of listings in Norway falls between NOK 1,000 and NOK 2,500 ($100 to $250 or €91 to €227), varying by city, property size, and season.
The single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Norway is location, where central neighborhoods with walkable access to attractions can command 30 to 40% premiums over outer areas.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Norway.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices in Norway can vary by a factor of 1.6 between premium and budget neighborhoods, with Oslo's Frogner averaging around NOK 1,900 ($190 or €173) compared to outer areas like Groruddalen at approximately NOK 1,200 ($120 or €109).
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices are Tromsø Sentrum at roughly NOK 2,250 ($225 or €205), Bergen's Bryggen/Nordnes at around NOK 1,900 ($190 or €173), and Oslo's Frogner/Majorstuen at approximately NOK 1,850 ($185 or €168).
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices include Oslo's outer Groruddalen at around NOK 1,100 ($110 or €100), parts of Bergen's Årstad at roughly NOK 1,150 ($115 or €105), and Trondheim's outer areas at approximately NOK 1,200 ($120 or €109), though guests still choose these areas for better value.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings across Norway's major markets averages around 52 to 58%, with Tromsø leading at approximately 64% and Trondheim trailing at around 47%.
The realistic occupancy range for most Norwegian Airbnb listings falls between 40% and 68%, depending on location quality, listing optimization, and seasonal timing.
Norway's occupancy rates are roughly in line with other Nordic countries, though Tromsø outperforms many European destinations during winter thanks to Northern Lights tourism.
The single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy is response time and booking flexibility; hosts who respond within an hour and accept shorter stays consistently outperform.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue for an entire-home Airbnb listing in Norway ranges from approximately NOK 21,000 to NOK 44,000 ($2,100 to $4,400 or €1,900 to €4,000) depending on the city, with Tromsø at the high end and Stavanger at the lower end.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of listings falls between NOK 18,000 and NOK 35,000 ($1,800 to $3,500 or €1,640 to €3,180) for well-located one to two bedroom apartments.
Top-performing Airbnb listings, particularly larger properties in prime locations during peak season, can achieve NOK 50,000 to NOK 70,000 ($5,000 to $7,000 or €4,550 to €6,360) monthly. For example, a three-bedroom in central Tromsø at NOK 2,500 per night with 70% occupancy would generate roughly NOK 53,000.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Norway.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, monthly revenue during high season in Norway can reach NOK 32,000 to NOK 45,000 ($3,200 to $4,500 or €2,900 to €4,100) compared to low season figures of NOK 18,000 to NOK 24,000 ($1,800 to $2,400 or €1,640 to €2,180).
For Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim, high season runs June through August when summer tourism peaks, while low season spans November through March (excluding Christmas). Tromsø is the exception: high season is winter (November through March) for Northern Lights viewing, and summer is relatively slower.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly expenses for operating an Airbnb apartment in Norway range from NOK 8,000 to NOK 15,000 ($800 to $1,500 or €730 to €1,360), while larger row houses and detached homes run NOK 12,000 to NOK 25,000 ($1,200 to $2,500 or €1,090 to €2,270).
The largest expense category for Norwegian Airbnb hosts is typically HOA/common charges (fellesutgifter) at NOK 2,500 to NOK 6,500 ($250 to $650 or €230 to €590) monthly, followed by cleaning costs at 8 to 15% of revenue.
Hosts should expect to spend roughly 35 to 50% of gross revenue on operating expenses, which is higher than many European markets due to Norway's labor costs, energy prices, and substantial common charges.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Norway.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit (before income tax) for a Norwegian Airbnb ranges from NOK 10,000 to NOK 16,000 ($1,000 to $1,600 or €910 to €1,450) for apartments and NOK 12,000 to NOK 22,000 ($1,200 to $2,200 or €1,090 to €2,000) for larger properties, translating to roughly NOK 250 to NOK 650 ($25 to $65 or €23 to €59) profit per available night.
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most listings falls between NOK 8,000 and NOK 20,000 ($800 to $2,000 or €730 to €1,820), varying by property type and management.
Net profit margins for Norwegian Airbnb hosts typically land between 35% and 55% of gross revenue, which is tighter than other markets due to high costs and Norges Bank's 4% policy rate.
The break-even occupancy rate sits around 30 to 38%, meaning hosts need roughly 9 to 12 booked nights per month to cover fixed costs.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Norway, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Norway versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Norway as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Norway as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Norway has an estimated 55,000 active short-term rental listings nationwide, with approximately 27,900 concentrated in the five major cities: Oslo (13,226), Tromsø (5,439), Trondheim (4,167), Bergen (3,111), and Stavanger (1,928).
The number of listings has grown steadily, with urban markets seeing the fastest expansion while fjord and mountain destinations maintained more stable inventory, suggesting continued growth as tourism rebounds.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Norway as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods include Oslo's Sentrum, Grünerløkka, Frogner, and St. Hanshaugen, Bergen's Bryggen/Nordnes and Sentrum, Trondheim's Midtbyen and Bakklandet, and Tromsø's central Tromsøya.
These areas became saturated because they combine walkable access to attractions with architectural character that photographs well, creating feedback loops where successful listings attract more hosts.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods offering better opportunities include Oslo's Nordstrand and parts of Østensjø, Bergen's Årstad near the university, Tromsø's Tromsdalen, and Trondheim's Lade district, where lower competition can offset slightly reduced rates.
What local events spike demand in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events spiking Airbnb demand include Oslo's summer festival season (Øya Festival, Norwegian Wood), Bergen's cultural festivals and cruise arrivals from May through September, Tromsø's Northern Lights season and winter festivals, and Trondheim's St. Olav Festival in late July.
During peak events, hosts typically see booking rates increase by 20 to 40% and can raise nightly prices by 30 to 60% above normal, with the most dramatic spikes during major concerts and Northern Lights peak weeks.
Experienced hosts typically adjust pricing and availability two to four months before major events, raising platform prices gradually as the event approaches.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Norway achieve occupancy rates of 60 to 70% in strong markets like Tromsø and Bergen, significantly outpacing the market average.
Average hosts typically see 50 to 55% occupancy, meaning top performers enjoy roughly 10 to 15 percentage points higher occupancy, translating to meaningful revenue differences over a full year.
New hosts typically need 6 to 12 months of consistent operation, positive reviews, and optimization to reach top-performer levels, with fastest improvements from professional photography, rapid responses, and competitive initial pricing.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Norway.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Norway right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of listings in Norway sits between NOK 1,200 and NOK 1,600 ($120 to $160 or €109 to €145), where most studios and one-bedroom apartments compete intensively.
White space opportunities exist at the higher end, particularly in the NOK 2,000 to NOK 3,000 ($200 to $300 or €182 to €273) range for well-designed two to three bedroom properties that accommodate families, as this segment has less competition relative to demand.
To succeed in this underserved segment, new hosts should target properties with at least two bedrooms, family-friendly amenities, excellent transit access, and winter features like gear storage and heated bathroom floors.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Norway right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Norway as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom apartments generate the most bookings in Norway due to their abundance and appeal to couples and solo travelers, though two-bedroom properties often deliver better profitability per listing.
The estimated booking rate breakdown shows studios at roughly 15%, one-bedrooms at approximately 40%, two-bedrooms at around 30%, and three-bedroom-plus properties capturing about 15%.
One-bedrooms lead on volume because they match the dominant traveler profile of couples on city breaks and Northern Lights trips, while two and three-bedroom units outperform on revenue because they attract families willing to pay significantly more without proportionally higher operating costs.
What property type performs best in Norway in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, two-bedroom apartments and row houses (rekkehus) deliver the best overall performance for Airbnb in Norway, balancing strong occupancy with manageable regulatory constraints and operating costs.
Occupancy rates across property types show apartments averaging 52 to 60%, row houses at 50 to 58%, and detached houses at 45 to 55%, with apartments benefiting from central locations while houses command higher rates that can offset lower occupancy.
Row houses outperform because they offer space for families (the highest-spending segment), face fewer building restrictions than condominiums, maintain lower utility costs than detached houses, and typically have good transit access.
What location traits boost bookings in Norway right now?
The location traits that most boost Airbnb bookings in Norway include proximity to public transit (especially metro/tram in Oslo, Bybanen in Bergen), walking distance to central attractions, and easy access to tour operator pickup points in destinations like Tromsø.
Weather resilience features matter significantly in Norway, including covered entrances, buildings with good insulation, and locations that don't require navigating steep hills on icy winter days.
Properties within 10 to 15 minutes of major transit nodes consistently outperform more distant listings, while parking becomes important for row houses and detached properties outside city centers where guests road-trip.
What amenities do nearly all competitors offer in Norway right now?
The baseline amenities that nearly all competitive Airbnb listings in Norway offer include fast WiFi (essential for remote workers), self check-in via lockbox or smart lock, a fully equipped kitchen, and washer access.
Winter-specific amenities are particularly important: effective heating systems, blackout curtains (critical during bright summer nights and dark winters), and proper entry areas for wet or snowy boots.
Listings lacking these standard amenities typically struggle to maintain occupancy above 40% and face price pressure of 20 to 30% below comparable listings, making these features essentially mandatory.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Norway, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics Norway (SSB) - Accommodation | Norway's official statistics agency and gold standard for tourism and housing data. | We used it to anchor real-world demand through tourist nights and seasonality. We also sanity-checked short-term rental occupancy patterns. |
| Statistics Norway (SSB) - Price Index | Official, methodology-backed index for Norway's resale housing prices. | We used it to ground property price expectations. We referenced it to explain why yields can look tight in expensive markets. |
| Eiendom Norge | Central industry body behind widely cited monthly housing statistics. | We used it to describe price momentum and regional differences. We also framed 2026 as a high-interest-rate, supply-constrained market. |
| Norges Bank - Policy Rate | Norway's central bank, making its rate decisions the source of truth for interest rate conditions. | We used it to set borrowing cost expectations as of early 2026. We translated that into profitability impact. |
| Norges Bank - Exchange Rates | Official daily FX reference for the Norwegian krone. | We used it to convert AirDNA's USD-denominated metrics into NOK. We kept the math simple so readers can replicate. |
| Skatteetaten - Tax Rules | Official tax authority guidance, the clearest baseline for tax obligations. | We used it to outline default tax treatment for Airbnb income. We flagged common gotchas about documentation. |
| Skatteetaten - Business Activity | Direct guidance on how authorities assess business versus non-business letting. | We used it to explain why running multiple units changes tax treatment. We grounded the multi-property section in authority thinking. |
| Altinn - VAT Registration | Official government portal for running a business in Norway. | We used it to give a clear VAT registration threshold. We kept the compliance section concrete and actionable. |
| Skatteetaten - VAT Hub | Tax authority's official VAT entry point, not third-party interpretation. | We used it to point readers to correct VAT resources. We kept it as a practical where-to-go-next reference. |
| Lovdata - Eierseksjonslova Amendment | Authoritative publication source for Norwegian legislation. | We used it to state the 90-day cap rule. We explained how bylaws can adjust within the 60-120 day range. |
| Regjeringen.no - Guide | Official government guide explaining how the law works in practice. | We used it to translate legal text into plain-English rules. We clarified that caps apply to whole-unit letting only. |
| Lovdata - Burettslagslova | Controlling legal text for housing cooperatives, common in Norwegian cities. | We used it to explain why cooperatives have stricter controls. We steered readers toward checking specific borettslag bylaws. |
| NBBL - Rule Changes | National federation for housing cooperatives, highly credible for how rules affect real buildings. | We used it as a cross-check on how caps apply across ownership structures. We kept the property types section accurate. |
| AirDNA - Oslo | Widely used short-term rental analytics provider with transparent methodology. | We used it for supply, demand, and pricing benchmarks. We modeled those into monthly revenue and profit ranges. |
| AirDNA - Bergen | Established dataset used by professional operators for STR benchmarking. | We used it to show how Bergen differs from Oslo. We built a Norway blend for national estimates. |
| AirDNA - Tromsø | Provides comparable metrics for a standout demand market. | We used it to quantify the Northern Lights premium. We built seasonal revenue models. |
| AirDNA - Trondheim | Consistent metrics making cross-city comparisons fair. | We used it to show a university and events-driven profile. We estimated baseline occupancy for mid-tier markets. |
| AirDNA - Stavanger | Hybrid market capturing energy sector business travel influence. | We used it to benchmark a business-travel city where weekdays matter. We informed the amenities discussion. |
| Statistics Norway - Consumer Price Index | Official measure of inflation and cost changes in Norway. | We used it to ensure expense estimates reflect 2026 cost levels. We contextualized why Norwegian operating costs run higher. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Norway. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.