Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Norway Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Oslo's property market is included in our pack
Thinking about running an Airbnb in Oslo? You are not alone, and the market has real potential if you understand the rules and the numbers.
This guide breaks down the legal framework, earning potential, expenses, and competition for short-term rentals in Norway's capital as of early 2026.
We update this blog post regularly to reflect the latest regulations, market data, and pricing trends in the Oslo Airbnb market.
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 Oslo.
Insights
- Owner-condo apartments in Oslo face a 90-day annual cap for short-term rentals of the entire unit, but individual building associations can vote to adjust this between 60 and 120 days.
- Borettslag (housing cooperative) owners can only rent their entire apartment short-term for up to 30 days per year, which makes co-ops a challenging choice for serious Airbnb investors in Oslo.
- The average nightly rate for an Airbnb in Oslo in 2026 sits around 1,500 NOK (roughly $150 or €135), but Frogner and waterfront areas can command 2,000 NOK or more.
- Oslo's Airbnb occupancy rate averages around 52%, but top-performing hosts with strong photos, fast responses, and central locations regularly achieve 65% to 70%.
- A self-managed Airbnb in Oslo typically generates 10,000 to 17,000 NOK in monthly net profit before taxes, while professionally managed listings often break even or lose money in low season.
- The Øyafestivalen in August and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in December are the two biggest demand spikes, with hosts near Tøyenparken and Sentrum seeing 30% to 50% rate increases.
- There are approximately 6,200 active Airbnb listings in Oslo as of 2026, with the heaviest concentration in Grünerløkka, Frogner, Gamle Oslo, and St. Hanshaugen.
- Oslo does not require a universal short-term rental license, but hosts operating at scale may need to register as a sole proprietorship and consider VAT obligations.
- Winter months in Oslo (January and February) see occupancy drop to around 35% with revenues near 13,500 NOK, while peak summer months can hit 70% occupancy and 40,000 NOK gross.
- The most crowded price segment is 1,200 to 1,800 NOK per night for one-bedroom apartments in central neighborhoods, leaving white space for family-friendly 2 to 3 bedroom homes in outer areas like Nordre Aker.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Oslo in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting through platforms like Airbnb is legal in Oslo, but the specific rules depend heavily on whether you own a condo, a housing cooperative unit, or a freehold house.
The main legal framework governing short-term rentals in Oslo comes from two statutes: the Eierseksjonsloven (Condominium Act) for owner-condos and the Burettslagslova (Housing Cooperative Act) for borettslag apartments, both available through Lovdata.
The single most important restriction is the cap on how many nights per year you can rent out the entire unit: 90 days for owner-condos (adjustable by the building association between 60 and 120 days) and just 30 days for housing cooperatives.
Beyond these caps, if your short-term rental activity starts looking like a hotel operation (high turnover, multiple units, professional management), the municipality can intervene under planning and building regulations, especially in residential zones.
Penalties for non-compliance can include fines, orders to cease operations, and in some cases, requirements to restore the property to residential use, though enforcement typically follows complaints from neighbors or building associations.
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 Oslo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Oslo does not have a citywide minimum-stay requirement for Airbnbs, but owner-condo apartments face a 90-day annual cap for renting the entire unit short-term, while housing cooperatives are limited to just 30 days per year.
These rules differ significantly by property type: if you own a detached house or row house, there is no statutory cap, though your activity can still be challenged if it resembles commercial hotel operations.
Hosts in Oslo typically track their rental nights through their Airbnb dashboard or personal records, since there is no mandatory reporting system to the municipality at this time.
If an owner-condo host exceeds the 90-day limit (or whatever adjusted cap the building association has set), they risk complaints from neighbors, fines imposed by the sameie, and in persistent cases, legal action from the building association.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Oslo right now?
There is no blanket residency requirement for operating an Airbnb in Oslo, meaning you can legally rent out a secondary home or investment property on short-term rental platforms.
However, the rules get tighter for housing cooperatives (borettslag): the 30-day short-term rental allowance is specifically tied to situations where the owner lives in the unit, making a "pure investment Airbnb" nearly impossible in most co-ops.
For owner-condos (eierseksjon), there are no additional permits required beyond respecting the 90-day framework, but you should always check your building association's bylaws for any stricter local rules.
The main difference is this: in a borettslag, you generally need to live in the unit to use the short-term rental allowance, while in an eierseksjon, you can be an absentee owner as long as you stay within the night caps.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Oslo
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Oslo right now?
Yes, you can operate multiple Airbnb listings in Oslo under one name, but there are practical and legal limits you need to understand before scaling up.
The most concrete restriction is in owner-condo buildings (sameier): a person generally cannot acquire more than two housing sections in the same building, which directly limits your ability to stack multiple units in one location.
Once you run multiple properties, you will likely need to register as a sole proprietorship (enkeltpersonforetak) through Altinn and Brønnøysundregistrene, and you may face VAT obligations depending on your revenue scale.
The regulatory logic here is that Norwegian authorities want to prevent residential buildings from becoming de facto hotels, which is why multi-unit operators face closer scrutiny under planning and building rules.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Oslo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Oslo does not require a universal short-term rental license like some European cities, but you may still need a business registration if your hosting activity looks like an actual business.
If you are operating at scale (multiple units or using professional management), you should register as a sole proprietorship through Altinn, which takes just a few days and is free.
For tax purposes, rental income up to 10,000 NOK from short-term stays is tax-free if each rental period is under 30 days, but anything above that threshold triggers income tax on 85% of the excess amount at 22%.
VAT obligations can also apply if your short-term rental income is high enough and structured like a commercial accommodation service, so it is worth checking with Skatteetaten early if you plan to scale.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Oslo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Oslo does not have a public map of "Airbnb-banned zones," but enforcement can happen at the building level or when activity triggers planning and building complaints.
The neighborhoods with the most listings and therefore the most scrutiny are Grünerløkka, Frogner, Gamle Oslo, Sagene, St. Hanshaugen, and Sentrum, where complaints from neighbors and building associations are most common.
The main reason certain areas see more enforcement is not a formal ban but rather the concentration of short-term rentals creating friction with long-term residents, noise, and wear on shared spaces.
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 Oslo in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb listing in Oslo is approximately 1,500 NOK ($150 USD or €135 EUR), while the median nightly price sits closer to 1,350 NOK ($135 USD or €120 EUR).
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of Oslo Airbnb listings falls between 1,000 and 2,200 NOK ($100 to $220 USD or €90 to €200 EUR), depending on location, property size, and amenities.
The single biggest factor impacting nightly pricing in Oslo is location: properties in walkable, transit-connected central neighborhoods like Frogner, Grünerløkka, and Bjørvika command significantly higher rates than outer residential areas.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Oslo.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices for entire-home Airbnbs in Oslo range from around 1,100 NOK ($110 USD or €100 EUR) in outer residential areas to over 2,400 NOK ($240 USD or €215 EUR) in premium neighborhoods like Frogner and waterfront Bjørvika.
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Oslo are Frogner (including Bygdøy edges) at 1,700 to 2,400 NOK, the Bjørvika and Sørenga waterfront area at 1,600 to 2,200 NOK, and parts of Ullern and Vestre Aker at 1,500 to 2,000 NOK ($150 to $240 USD or €135 to €215 EUR).
The three neighborhoods with more affordable average nightly prices are Nordre Aker, Østensjø, and parts of Bjerke, where listings typically range from 1,100 to 1,500 NOK ($110 to $150 USD or €100 to €135 EUR), and guests still choose to stay there because of good public transit connections and access to family-friendly amenities.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Oslo is around 52%, which translates to roughly 16 booked nights per month for the average host.
The realistic occupancy range covering most listings in Oslo falls between 40% and 65%, with significant variation based on listing quality, pricing strategy, and seasonal timing.
Oslo's occupancy rates are slightly below the Norwegian national average for major cities, partly because the market has strong summer tourism but quieter winter months outside of specific events like the Nobel Peace Prize week.
The single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy in Oslo is being located in a walkable, transit-connected central neighborhood with professional-quality photos and instant book enabled.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Oslo is approximately 23,000 to 26,000 NOK ($2,300 to $2,600 USD or €2,100 to €2,350 EUR) before any expenses are deducted.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of Oslo listings falls between 12,000 and 35,000 NOK ($1,200 to $3,500 USD or €1,100 to €3,200 EUR), reflecting wide variation based on property type, location, and hosting quality.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Oslo can achieve monthly revenues of 45,000 to 55,000 NOK ($4,500 to $5,500 USD or €4,000 to €5,000 EUR) during peak months. With an ADR of 2,000 NOK and 70% occupancy, that works out to roughly 42,000 NOK gross per month.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Oslo.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Oslo Airbnb hosts can expect low-season monthly revenue around 13,500 NOK ($1,350 USD or €1,200 EUR), while high-season months typically bring in 35,000 to 40,000 NOK ($3,500 to $4,000 USD or €3,200 to €3,600 EUR).
Low season in Oslo runs from January through February and parts of November, while high season peaks from June through August, with additional demand spikes during major events like the Holmenkollen Ski Festival in March and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in December.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a realistic monthly expense range for self-managed Airbnb operations in Oslo is 6,500 to 13,000 NOK ($650 to $1,300 USD or €600 to €1,200 EUR), while professionally managed listings can see expenses of 15,000 to 30,000 NOK or more.
The single largest expense category for most Oslo Airbnb hosts is cleaning and turnover costs, typically running 600 to 1,200 NOK per turnover, which can add up quickly with 4 to 8 turnovers per month during busy periods.
Most Oslo hosts should expect to spend between 30% and 50% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with self-managers landing at the lower end and those using professional management or experiencing high turnover at the higher end.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Oslo.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a realistic monthly net profit for a self-managed Airbnb in Oslo is 10,000 to 17,000 NOK ($1,000 to $1,700 USD or €900 to €1,550 EUR) before taxes, with profit per available night landing around 330 to 570 NOK ($33 to $57 USD or €30 to €52 EUR).
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Oslo listings falls between 5,000 and 20,000 NOK ($500 to $2,000 USD or €450 to €1,800 EUR), with professionally managed properties often breaking even or running negative during low season.
Net profit margins for Oslo Airbnb hosts typically range from 40% to 60% for self-managed operations and 15% to 35% for professionally managed listings, depending on occupancy and turnover frequency.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Oslo Airbnb listing is around 25% to 30%, meaning you need roughly 8 to 9 booked nights per month just to cover fixed and variable costs before seeing any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Oslo, 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 Oslo as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Oslo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 6,200 active Airbnb listings in Oslo, based on conservative estimates that focus on regularly booked properties rather than dormant listings.
This number has remained relatively stable compared to 2025, with modest growth driven by new hosts entering the market, partly offset by stricter enforcement in some building associations and seasonal hosts dropping out after low-return winters.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Oslo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Oslo are Grünerløkka, Frogner, Gamle Oslo, Sagene, St. Hanshaugen, and Sentrum, where listing density is highest and competition for bookings is fierce.
These particular neighborhoods have become saturated because they combine walkability to major attractions, strong public transit links, and the kind of cafes-and-culture atmosphere that short-term rental guests actively seek when visiting Oslo.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer better opportunities for new hosts include Nordre Aker, Østensjø, and parts of Bjerke, where families and longer-stay guests appreciate access to green spaces and quieter residential settings without the central-area competition.
What local events spike demand in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main local events that spike Airbnb demand in Oslo include the Holmenkollen Ski Festival (March 14 to 15), the Øyafestivalen music festival (August 12 to 15 near Tøyenparken), and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony (December 10 at Oslo City Hall).
During these peak events, hosts in nearby neighborhoods can see booking rates increase by 30% to 50%, with nightly rates jumping 20% to 40% above normal averages, especially for properties within walking distance of venues.
Smart hosts in Oslo should adjust their pricing and minimum-stay requirements at least 4 to 6 weeks before major events, setting minimum stays of 2 to 3 nights to capture premium demand and avoid single-night turnovers during the busiest weekends.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Oslo achieve occupancy rates of 65% to 70%, roughly 13 to 18 percentage points higher than the average host's 52% occupancy.
The average host in Oslo fills about 16 nights per month, while top performers with strong photos, instant book, fast response times, and central locations can fill 20 to 21 nights per month, translating to significantly higher annual revenue.
It typically takes a new host in Oslo 6 to 12 months to build up enough reviews, refine their listing, and optimize pricing to reach top-performer occupancy levels, assuming they are responsive and proactive about guest experience.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Oslo.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Oslo right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Oslo is 1,200 to 1,800 NOK ($120 to $180 USD or €110 to €165 EUR), dominated by one-bedroom and compact entire-home apartments in central neighborhoods like Grünerløkka and Sagene.
The most crowded price points are squarely in that 1,200 to 1,800 NOK band, while "white space" opportunities exist at the higher end (above 2,200 NOK for premium family-sized homes) and in outer neighborhoods where supply is thinner but transit access is still strong.
Property characteristics that would allow a new host to successfully compete in the underserved segment include 2 to 3 bedrooms with family-friendly amenities like a full kitchen, laundry access, and proximity to parks, especially in areas like Nordre Aker or Østensjø where hotels are less convenient.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Oslo right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Oslo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments get the most bookings in Oslo, with two-bedroom units often achieving the best balance of occupancy rate and nightly revenue.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Oslo is roughly 25% for studios, 35% for one-bedroom units, 30% for two-bedroom units, and 10% for three-bedroom or larger properties.
One and two-bedroom apartments perform best in Oslo because the city attracts a mix of couples, solo business travelers, and small friend groups who want an affordable alternative to Oslo's expensive hotels, and larger properties face more seasonal volatility.
What property type performs best in Oslo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, owner-condo apartments (eierseksjon) are the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Oslo, offering strong demand, straightforward operations, and a clear legal framework with the 90-day cap.
Occupancy rates across property types in Oslo show apartments averaging 50% to 55%, row houses at 45% to 50%, and detached houses at 40% to 50%, with apartments benefiting from their central locations and lower price points compared to larger homes.
Apartments outperform in Oslo because they fit the typical guest profile (couples, solo travelers, small groups), are located in the walkable neighborhoods where tourists want to stay, and have more predictable turnover economics than larger family properties.
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 Oslo, 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) | It's Norway's official statistics agency and the baseline for tourism demand data. | We used it to ground Oslo's visitor seasonality and understand when demand is naturally higher or lower. We also used it to sanity-check short-term rental demand against broader commercial guest nights. |
| Norges Bank | Norges Bank is Norway's central bank, and its exchange-rate series is the official reference. | We used it to convert AirDNA's USD market metrics into NOK since your costs and taxes are in NOK. We also used it to keep all profitability math internally consistent. |
| Lovdata - Eierseksjonsloven | Lovdata is the official publishing platform for Norwegian laws. | We used it to define what a "housing section" is and what limits apply in owner-occupied condominiums. We also used it to answer questions about running more than one unit in the same building. |
| Lovdata - 90-day short-term letting rule | This is the legal text that introduced the well-known 90-day cap in condo sameier. | We used it to answer the "maximum nights per year" question for typical Oslo owner-condo apartments. We also used it to explain how a sameie can vote to adjust the cap within limits. |
| Lovdata - Burettslagslova | It's the controlling statute for Oslo's very common co-op apartments including OBOS borettslag. | We used it to explain why co-ops often have stricter short-term rental constraints than owner-condos. We also used it to structure the "do I have to live there?" answer for borettslag units. |
| Regjeringen.no - Burettslagslova interpretation | It's central government guidance interpreting how the co-op law is applied in practice. | We used it to clearly state the 30-days-per-year rule for letting the entire co-op unit when you live there. We also used it to highlight the "board approval / living there" framing that matters in practice. |
| Regjeringen.no - Illegal short-term letting enforcement | It explains how municipalities can act under national planning and building tools when housing is used like a hotel. | We used it to answer "restricted zones" in a practical way, explaining that the risk is often about hotel-like operations rather than a map of Airbnb zones. We also used it to explain when "change of use" becomes relevant. |
| Oslo kommune - Plan, bygg og eiendom | It's the City of Oslo's official entry point for planning, building, and compliance matters. | We used it to frame where owners actually interact with the municipality for permits, cases, zoning, and building requirements. We also used it to anchor "where to check" if your building's use is questioned. |
| Oslo kommune - Plan- og bygningsetaten | This is the actual city agency responsible for planning and building enforcement in Oslo. | We used it to support the enforcement reality: if your letting looks like hotel activity, PBE is the relevant authority. We also used it to steer readers to the right office rather than guessing. |
| Skatteetaten - Tax rules for renting out | It's Norway's official tax authority, so it's the definitive source for tax treatment of rental income. | We used it to quantify how rental income is taxed for short stays under 30 days and the NOK threshold. We also used it to model a realistic after-tax profit range. |
| Skatteetaten - Skatte-ABC | Skatte-ABC is Skatteetaten's technical handbook used for consistent tax interpretation. | We used it to confirm definitions of what counts as "short-term" and the annual threshold mechanics. We also used it to avoid oversimplifying edge cases since primary vs secondary home treatment differs. |
| Skatteetaten - VAT rates | It's the official VAT rate reference from Norway's tax authority. | We used it to explain when VAT may become relevant if your activity is considered a taxable accommodation service. We kept this high-level and practical because VAT depends on scale and structure. |
| Brønnøysundregistrene | Brreg is Norway's official business registry authority. | We used it to answer whether you need a business registration if your hosting becomes a business. We also used it to explain the simplest registration route individuals typically use. |
| Altinn | Altinn is the official portal used to file and register with Norwegian government agencies. | We used it to show the practical "how" for registering a sole proprietorship, not just the legal concept. We also used it to keep the process steps beginner-friendly. |
| AirDNA | AirDNA is a widely used industry data provider with a consistent short-term rental methodology. | We used it to estimate nightly rates, occupancy, and RevPAR-type performance for Oslo. We then converted those USD figures into NOK using Norges Bank exchange rates. |
| AirROI | It's another established STR data vendor with transparent headline metrics. | We used it as a second private-sector lens to triangulate listings count, occupancy, and annual revenue. Where AirDNA and AirROI differ, we pick conservative middle estimates and explain why. |
| Inside Airbnb | Inside Airbnb is a well-known public-interest dataset used by researchers and cities. | We used it to identify where listings cluster inside Oslo by central neighborhoods. We also used it to sanity-check "active listings" scale against vendor estimates. |
| VisitOSLO | VisitOSLO is the city's official destination and visitor organization. | We used it to name concrete, date-specific events that reliably spike demand. We also used it to anchor seasonality with a real 2026 calendar. |
| Øyafestivalen | It's the official festival organizer site for one of Norway's biggest music festivals. | We used it to identify peak summer demand days and the likely neighborhood hot zone around Tøyen. We also used it to show why August pricing power exists in Oslo. |
| Nobel Peace Prize | It's the official Nobel Peace Prize site, and the ceremony is a fixed annual date in Oslo. | We used it to justify a recurring early-December demand spike in central Oslo. We also used it to encourage minimum-stay strategy during that week. |
| Airbtics | It's a reputable STR analytics platform providing revenue and occupancy data for global markets. | We used it as an additional data point to validate annual revenue estimates and occupancy rates. We cross-referenced their figures with AirDNA and AirROI for consistency. |
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.
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