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
Yes, foreigners can legally buy and rent out residential property in Norway in 2026, though some rural or agricultural properties may require special approval.
Norway offers attractive rental yields of around 3.5% to 5% gross in major cities, but understanding the unique ownership structures like borettslag and sameie is essential before investing.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest regulations, market data, and rental trends in Norway.
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
- In Norway, apartments in borettslag (housing cooperatives) are typically limited to just 30 days per year of short-term rentals, which makes long-term renting the only viable strategy for most investor properties.
- The felleskostnader (common charges) in Norwegian apartments can reach NOK 6,000 per month or more, eating significantly into rental yields compared to other European markets.
- Oslo landlords can expect gross yields of only 3% to 4% in prime areas like Frogner, while outer districts like Gamle Oslo or Sagene often deliver 4.5% to 5.5% gross yields in early 2026.
- Norwegian law requires tenant deposits to be held in a special account in the tenant's name at a Norwegian bank, which creates an operational need for foreign landlords to establish local banking relationships.
- Monthly rents in Oslo for a typical 2-bedroom apartment range from NOK 18,000 to NOK 24,000 (roughly USD 1,650 to USD 2,200 or EUR 1,550 to EUR 2,050) in early 2026.
- Property management fees in Norway typically run around 10% of monthly rent for full-service management, plus additional letting fees when finding new tenants.
- The D-number, which is Norway's tax identification for non-residents, is practically essential for foreign landlords to report rental income correctly to Norwegian authorities.
- Stavanger's rental market is heavily influenced by the energy sector, creating stable demand from high-earning professionals in neighborhoods like Eiganes and Våland.
Can I legally rent out a property in Norway as a foreigner right now?
Can a foreigner own-and-rent a residential property in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can generally purchase and rent out residential property in Norway without needing special permits or approval for typical city apartments and houses.
The most common ownership structures available to foreign investors in Norway are direct freehold ownership (selveier), shares in a housing cooperative (borettslag), or units in a condominium association (eierseksjonssameie), each with different rules about renting out.
The main restriction foreigners should watch for is the Concession Act (konsesjonsloven), which can require approval or impose residency obligations on certain rural properties, agricultural land, or larger plots, though this rarely affects standard urban rental investments.
If you're not a local, you might want to read our guide to foreign property ownership in Norway.
Do I need residency to rent out in Norway right now?
No, you do not need to be a Norwegian resident to own and rent out property in Norway, and many foreign landlords successfully manage their investments remotely from abroad.
However, you will typically need a D-number, which is Norway's tax identification number for non-residents, to properly report and pay taxes on your rental income to the Norwegian Tax Administration.
While rent payments can technically be sent to a foreign bank account, most landlords find it much easier to open a Norwegian bank account because the legally required tenant deposit must be held in a special deposit account at a Norwegian bank in the tenant's name.
Managing a rental property in Norway entirely remotely is definitely feasible, especially if you hire a local property management company, though you should budget around 10% of monthly rent for ongoing management services.
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What rental strategy makes the most money in Norway in 2026?
Is long-term renting more profitable than short-term in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, long-term renting is generally the more reliable and often more profitable strategy for most residential properties in Norway because strict legal limits on short-term rentals in housing cooperatives and condominiums significantly reduce Airbnb-style income potential.
A well-managed long-term rental in Oslo might generate NOK 180,000 to NOK 216,000 per year (around USD 16,500 to USD 19,800 or EUR 15,400 to EUR 18,500) for a 1-bedroom apartment, while a comparable short-term rental, even if fully optimized, often lands in a similar net range once cleaning costs, turnover gaps, and the 30 to 90 day legal caps are factored in.
Short-term renting can outperform long-term only in specific situations: properties in eierseksjonssameie buildings (which allow up to 90 days per year), located in prime tourist areas like central Bergen or Oslo's Aker Brygge, and run with professional efficiency to minimize turnover costs.
What's the average gross rental yield in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average gross rental yield for residential properties in Norway's major cities ranges from approximately 3.5% to 5%, with Oslo at the lower end and cities like Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger typically offering slightly higher returns.
The realistic gross yield range that covers most residential properties in Norway spans from about 3% in prime Oslo neighborhoods like Frogner or Majorstuen to around 5.5% in well-connected outer districts or secondary cities with strong rental demand.
Studios and smaller apartments generally achieve the highest gross rental yields in Norway because the price-per-square-meter is lower while monthly rents remain relatively strong due to high demand from students, young professionals, and single tenants.
By the way, we have much more granular data about rental yields in our property pack about Norway.
What's the realistic net rental yield after costs in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average net rental yield after all operating costs for residential properties in Norway typically falls between 2% and 3.5% for long-term rentals in major cities, before any mortgage financing costs.
The realistic net yield range most landlords experience in Norway spans from around 1.5% in high-cost Oslo buildings with expensive felleskostnader to approximately 4% for well-purchased properties with low common charges in cities like Trondheim or Stavanger.
The three main cost categories that reduce gross yield to net yield in Norway are felleskostnader (monthly common charges that can exceed NOK 5,000 per month in many apartment buildings), property management fees (typically around 10% of rent if you manage remotely), and municipal property tax in cities like Oslo where it applies.
You might want to check our latest analysis about gross and net rental yields in Norway.
What monthly rent can I get in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical monthly rents in Oslo are approximately NOK 12,000 to NOK 14,000 (USD 1,100 to USD 1,280 or EUR 1,030 to EUR 1,200) for a studio, NOK 15,000 to NOK 18,000 (USD 1,370 to USD 1,650 or EUR 1,280 to EUR 1,540) for a 1-bedroom, and NOK 18,000 to NOK 24,000 (USD 1,650 to USD 2,200 or EUR 1,540 to EUR 2,050) for a 2-bedroom apartment.
A realistic entry-level monthly rent for a decent studio in Norway ranges from NOK 9,000 to NOK 12,000 (USD 820 to USD 1,100 or EUR 770 to EUR 1,030) in cities like Bergen, Trondheim, or Stavanger, while Oslo studios start closer to NOK 11,000 to NOK 14,000.
For a typical 1-bedroom apartment in Norway, mid-range monthly rents fall between NOK 12,000 and NOK 16,000 (USD 1,100 to USD 1,460 or EUR 1,030 to EUR 1,370) in Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger, with Oslo commanding the premium end of NOK 14,000 to NOK 18,000.
A typical 2-bedroom apartment in Norway rents for NOK 16,000 to NOK 21,000 (USD 1,460 to USD 1,920 or EUR 1,370 to EUR 1,800) in Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger, while Oslo's 2-bedroom rentals typically range from NOK 18,000 to NOK 24,000 per month.
If you want to know more about this topic, you can read our guide about rents and rental incomes in Norway.
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.
What are the real numbers I should budget for renting out in Norway in 2026?
What's the total "all-in" monthly cost to hold a rental in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total all-in monthly cost to hold and maintain a typical rental apartment in Norway ranges from approximately NOK 4,000 to NOK 10,000 (USD 365 to USD 915 or EUR 340 to EUR 860) excluding mortgage payments, with the wide range depending heavily on your building's common charges and whether you use professional management.
A realistic low-to-high monthly cost range covering most standard rental properties in Norway spans from around NOK 3,000 (USD 275 or EUR 260) for a well-run building with low felleskostnader and self-management, up to NOK 12,000 or more (USD 1,100 or EUR 1,030) for buildings with high common charges plus full-service property management.
The single largest contributor to monthly holding costs in Norway is typically the felleskostnader (common charges), which cover building maintenance, insurance, sometimes heating, and shared services, and these can easily run NOK 3,000 to NOK 6,000 per month in Oslo apartment buildings.
You want to go into more details? Check our list of property taxes and fees you have to pay when buying a property in Norway.
What's the typical vacancy rate in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical vacancy rate for well-located and properly priced rental properties in Norway's major cities ranges from approximately 2% to 5%, reflecting strong underlying demand in a country with persistent housing shortages in urban areas.
Landlords in Norway should realistically budget for about 0.5 to 1 month of vacancy per year (roughly 4% to 8% of annual income) to account for tenant turnover, cleaning, minor repairs between tenants, and the time needed to find quality replacements.
The main factor causing vacancy rates to differ between neighborhoods in Norway is proximity to public transport, universities, and major employment hubs, with central Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim seeing faster tenant placement than suburban or poorly connected areas.
The highest tenant turnover and vacancy in Norway typically occurs in late summer around July and August, coinciding with the academic calendar and lease renewal cycles, which means landlords relisting properties in winter or early spring may face slightly longer vacancy periods.
We have a whole part covering the best rental strategies in our pack about buying a property in Norway.
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Where do rentals perform best in Norway in 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest long-term demand in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three neighborhoods with the highest overall long-term rental demand in Norway are Grünerløkka and Frogner in Oslo (for their mix of lifestyle appeal and professional tenants), and central Bergen around Sentrum and Nordnes (for its strong student and young professional population).
Families seeking long-term rentals in Norway show the strongest demand in neighborhoods like Ullevål, Nordstrand, and Vinderen in Oslo, as well as Fana in Bergen and Byåsen in Trondheim, where good schools, parks, and family-friendly infrastructure drive sustained interest.
Students create the highest rental demand in neighborhoods close to universities, including Grünerløkka, Sagene, and Bislett in Oslo, Nygårdshøyden and Møhlenpris in Bergen, and the Gløshaugen and Moholt areas in Trondheim near NTNU.
Expats and international professionals concentrate their rental demand in Oslo's Frogner, Majorstuen, and Tjuvholmen areas, as well as Eiganes and Våland in Stavanger where the energy sector employs many foreign workers, and these tenants often pay premium rents for quality and convenience.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Norway.
Which neighborhoods have the best yield in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three neighborhoods offering the best rental yields in Norway are Gamle Oslo and Sagene in Oslo (where lower purchase prices meet solid rents), and student-heavy areas near NTNU in Trondheim where consistent demand supports strong returns relative to property costs.
The estimated gross rental yield range for these top-yielding Norwegian neighborhoods typically falls between 4.5% and 5.5%, compared to just 3% to 4% in the most prestigious and expensive areas like Frogner or central Aker Brygge.
The main characteristic allowing these neighborhoods to achieve higher yields than prime areas in Norway is their combination of well-connected public transport access and significantly lower purchase prices per square meter, which keeps the price denominator manageable while rents remain competitive.
We cover a lot of neighborhoods and provide a lot of updated data in our pack about real estate in Norway.
Where do tenants pay the highest rents in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three neighborhoods where tenants pay the highest rents in Norway are Frogner, Tjuvholmen, and Aker Brygge in Oslo, with premium waterfront or historic locations commanding the strongest monthly rates in the country.
In these premium Oslo neighborhoods, typical monthly rents for a standard 2-bedroom apartment range from NOK 25,000 to NOK 35,000 (USD 2,280 to USD 3,200 or EUR 2,150 to EUR 3,000), with luxury units sometimes exceeding NOK 40,000 per month.
The main characteristic driving the highest rents in these Norwegian neighborhoods is their combination of historic architectural prestige, walking proximity to Oslo's business district, and waterfront lifestyle amenities that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere in the city.
The typical tenant profile in these highest-rent neighborhoods includes senior executives at Norwegian and international corporations, embassy staff, high-net-worth professionals in finance and law, and relocating expatriates with generous housing allowances from their employers.
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.
What do tenants actually want in Norway in 2026?
What features increase rent the most in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three property features that increase monthly rent the most in Norway are in-unit laundry facilities (critical given Norway's climate and shared laundry culture in older buildings), private balconies or terraces (highly valued even in winter), and modern energy-efficient heating systems that keep electricity costs manageable.
The single most valuable feature, in-unit laundry, can add an estimated 5% to 10% rent premium in Norway because it eliminates reliance on shared basement facilities and significantly improves daily convenience for tenants.
One commonly overrated feature that landlords in Norway often invest in without strong tenant payback is high-end designer kitchens, since Norwegian renters generally prioritize functional, well-maintained kitchens over luxury finishes that don't meaningfully increase what they're willing to pay.
An affordable upgrade that provides strong return on investment for landlords in Norway is installing modern LED lighting throughout the apartment, which costs little but immediately signals a well-maintained, updated unit to prospective tenants.
Do furnished rentals rent faster in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, furnished apartments in Norway typically rent 1 to 3 weeks faster than unfurnished units in major cities, particularly for studios and 1-bedrooms targeting students, young professionals, and expats who prefer move-in-ready convenience.
Furnished apartments in Norway generally command a rent premium of 10% to 20% over comparable unfurnished units, though landlords should factor in higher wear-and-tear costs and the risk of winter electricity bills if utilities are included in the rent.
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How regulated is long-term renting in Norway right now?
Can I freely set rent prices in Norway right now?
Landlords in Norway have significant freedom to set the initial rent at the start of a tenancy based on whatever the market will bear, with no government-mandated caps on starting rent levels for typical residential leases.
However, once a tenancy is established in Norway, rent increases during the lease are regulated and typically limited to CPI (consumer price index) adjustments once every 12 months, meaning you cannot simply raise rent whenever you want without following the legal framework.
What's the standard lease length in Norway right now?
The standard lease length for residential rentals in Norway is typically between 1 and 3 years for fixed-term agreements, though open-ended (indefinite) leases are also common and provide more flexibility for both parties.
Landlords in Norway can legally require a security deposit of up to 3 months' rent, which for a typical Oslo 1-bedroom at NOK 16,000 per month means a maximum deposit of NOK 48,000 (approximately USD 4,400 or EUR 4,100).
The deposit must be held in a special deposit account in the tenant's name at a Norwegian bank, not in the landlord's personal account, and the landlord is responsible for paying the bank's account setup fee, with the deposit returned promptly after the tenancy ends minus any legitimate deductions for damages or unpaid rent.
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 does short-term renting really work in Norway in 2026?
Is Airbnb legal in Norway right now?
Yes, Airbnb-style short-term renting is legal in Norway, but the key catch is that your ability to do it depends heavily on whether your apartment is in a borettslag (housing cooperative) or an eierseksjonssameie (condominium association), each with different legal limits.
Norway does not require a national short-term rental license, but your building's ownership structure effectively acts as a permit system: borettslag typically allow only about 30 days of short-term rental per year, while eierseksjonssameie buildings have a baseline of 90 days per year that the association can adjust via bylaws.
These night limits are legally binding in Norway: borettslag members are generally restricted to around 30 days per year for short-term letting of their unit, while eierseksjonssameie owners have a statutory baseline of up to 90 days annually, though individual condo associations can set limits anywhere between 60 and 120 days.
The most common consequence for exceeding short-term rental limits in Norway is enforcement action by your housing cooperative or condominium board, which can include warnings, fines, and in serious cases, forced sale of your unit, plus municipalities are increasingly treating hotel-like operations as requiring commercial permits.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Norway.
What's the average short-term occupancy in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average annual occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Norway ranges from approximately 50% to 65% for well-managed, professionally presented listings in major cities like Oslo and Bergen.
The realistic occupancy range for most short-term rentals in Norway spans from around 45% for average listings in secondary locations to about 70% for top-performing properties in prime tourist areas, with legal night caps often being the binding constraint rather than demand.
The highest occupancy rates for short-term rentals in Norway occur during the summer months from June through August, the Christmas and New Year holiday period, and during major events like the Bergen International Festival or Oslo's Holmenkollen ski events.
The lowest occupancy rates typically occur in January through March (excluding the winter holiday peak) and in November, when tourist arrivals drop significantly and business travel slows before year-end.
Finally, please note that you can find much more granular data about this topic in our property pack about Norway.
What's the average nightly rate in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average nightly rate for short-term rentals in Norway ranges from approximately NOK 1,200 to NOK 1,800 (USD 110 to USD 165 or EUR 103 to EUR 155) for a typical 1-bedroom entire-home listing in major cities.
The realistic nightly rate range covering most short-term rental listings in Norway spans from around NOK 900 (USD 82 or EUR 77) for basic studios in secondary locations to NOK 2,500 or more (USD 230 or EUR 215) for well-appointed 2-bedroom apartments in prime Oslo or Bergen locations.
Nightly rates in Norway typically vary by NOK 400 to NOK 700 (USD 37 to USD 64 or EUR 34 to EUR 60) between peak summer season and the off-season winter months, with Christmas and New Year commanding premium rates similar to summer peaks.
Is short-term rental supply saturated in Norway in 2026?
As of early 2026, the short-term rental market in Norway's biggest tourist hubs like central Oslo and Bergen Bryggen area is becoming increasingly competitive, though unique legal constraints on supply (the borettslag and sameie night limits) prevent the kind of infinite scaling seen in less regulated markets.
The number of active short-term rental listings in Norway has been growing modestly but is structurally constrained, since the majority of Norwegian apartments are in housing cooperatives or condominiums with strict limits on how many nights they can be rented short-term.
The most oversaturated neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Norway are the obvious tourist magnets: Oslo's Sentrum and Aker Brygge, Bergen's Bryggen and Nordnes waterfront, and central Tromsø, where new listings struggle to stand out and occupancy rates face downward pressure.
Neighborhoods that still have room for new short-term rental supply in Norway include well-connected but less touristy areas like Grünerløkka and Sagene in Oslo, up-and-coming districts in Stavanger near the oil company offices, and areas serving business travelers rather than pure leisure tourists.
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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) Rent Statistics | Norway's official statistics agency provides the baseline rent data. | We used SSB's rent levels by room count and region as our anchor for monthly rent estimates. We mapped room counts to intuitive categories like studio and 1-bedroom. |
| SSB Price Index for Existing Dwellings | This is the official housing market series used by Norges Bank. | We used it to understand early 2026 price conditions across Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger. We also used SSB's methodology to stay consistent with Norwegian market definitions. |
| Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) | The primary official source for how rental income is taxed in Norway. | We used Skatteetaten to explain what non-resident landlords must report and how income is taxed. We also built our net yield logic around their tax guidance. |
| Husleietvistutvalget (HTU) | The official rent dispute tribunal with practical tenancy guidance. | We used HTU to explain rent increase rules and CPI indexation in plain language. We also referenced their deposit account guidance for landlord compliance. |
| Huseierne (Norwegian Homeowners Association) | A major homeowners organization with strong practical legal interpretation. | We used Huseierne to explain the borettslag and eierseksjonssameie short-term rental caps. We also used their guidance to flag that building bylaws can tighten default limits. |
| NBBL (Norwegian Federation of Housing Cooperatives) | Represents housing cooperatives nationally with authority on co-op rules. | We used NBBL as a cross-check on the sameie and borettslag short-term framework. We also used it to emphasize that rules differ by ownership structure. |
| Utleiemegleren | One of Norway's best-known rental managers with transparent fee schedules. | We used their published pricing to budget realistic ongoing management costs. We also used it to build an all-in monthly holding cost example matching real market pricing. |
| Norwegian Concession Act (Regjeringen.no) | The government's official English text of the key law affecting some properties. | We used it to explain the main exception where foreigners may face restrictions on rural or agricultural properties. We kept the legal section grounded in actual legislation. |
| Airbnb Norway Tax Guide | A detailed tax explainer aligned with Norwegian law and easy to read. | We used it to clarify how short-term rental income is treated for non-residents. We also used it to structure the short-term net yield logic consistently. |
| Oslo Kommune (Municipality) | The city's official source for whether property tax applies in Oslo. | We used it to show that property tax is municipal, not national, so costs depend on location. We included a realistic line item for investors buying in Oslo. |
| Forbrukerrådet (Consumer Council) | A trusted public body focused on consumer and tenant rights in Norway. | We used it to confirm the rule that deposits cannot go into the landlord's personal account. We also backed up that landlords pay the deposit account setup fee. |
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Norway. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.