Cost to Move to Norway: Full Breakdown of Expenses & Budget Tips

Moving from the United States to Norway is a life-changing decision. Whether you’re relocating for work, education, family, or simply the slower Scandinavian lifestyle, Norway offers stunning landscapes, strong social benefits, world-class safety, and a high standard of living. But it’s also one of the most expensive countries in the world, and relocating internationally can involve many hidden costs.

Understanding how much it costs to move to Norway from the USA is crucial for planning. This isn’t just about shipping your belongings — it includes visas, travel expenses, customs duties, temporary accommodation, and long-term living costs. With proper preparation and clarity on pricing, you can avoid surprises and stay within your relocation budget.

In this guide, you’ll learn the complete cost breakdown, average pricing, money-saving strategies, and how VanLinesMove helps make your international relocation easier and more affordable.

What Is the Average Cost to Move to Norway from the USA?

On average, moving from the USA to Norway costs between $4,500 and $18,000+, depending on home size, shipping method, distance from port, and service level.

General price ranges (estimates):

• 1-bedroom home: $4,500 – $7,500
• 2-bedroom home: $6,000 – $11,000
• 3-bedroom home: $10,000 – $18,000+
• 4-bedroom home: $15,000 – $25,000+ (depending on volume)

What affects the price the most?

• Amount of belongings
• Type of container (shared vs. full)
• Packing services
• Distance from your U.S. home to the shipping port
• Distance from Oslo/Bergen/Trondheim port to your new address
• Insurance
• Customs paperwork
• Additional services (pianos, fine art, large furniture)

Understanding each cost category will help you estimate your total relocation budget accurately.

Breakdown of Costs When Moving to Norway

Shipping Household Goods

Shipping is the biggest cost when moving internationally. Most moves use sea freight because it’s far cheaper than air freight.

Cost of Sea Freight

• 20ft container: $4,000 – $7,500
• 40ft container: $7,500 – $12,500
• Shared container (LCL): $1,200 – $4,000 (budget-friendly)

Sea shipping usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on route and departure schedules.

Cost of Air Freight

Air freight is extremely fast but expensive — usually $4,500 – $10,000+ for small shipments. It’s best for essential items, electronics, and personal documents.

Packing and Loading Fees

Professional international packing can cost:

• $600 – $2,500 for small moves
• $2,000 – $5,000+ for larger homes

This includes export packing materials, inventory labeling, crating, and special item protection.

Customs & Import Fees in Norway

Norway has clear but strict rules for importing personal belongings.

Duty-Free Allowance

If your items are used for more than 1 year, you can bring them duty-free. New items may be taxed.

Customs Documentation Costs

Using a moving company helps avoid mistakes, but customs processing fees may cost:

• $150 – $400
• Additional duty for restricted/new items

Potential Taxes

If customs determines the item is new or restricted, import VAT in Norway is 25%, one of the highest in Europe.

Vehicle Shipping Costs

Shipping a car from the USA to Norway is possible, but strongly regulated and often expensive.

Cost to Ship a Car

• $1,200 – $3,000 (Roll-on/Roll-off)
• $2,500 – $4,000 (exclusive container)

After Arrival Costs

• Registration fee
• Customs evaluation
• VAT (usually 25%)
• Possible CO₂ tax depending on vehicle

In many cases, buying a car in Norway is cheaper than importing due to strict taxes.

Travel Costs to Norway

Budget for your family's travel:

Flights

• $500 – $1,400 per ticket depending on season
• Direct flights to Oslo are cheaper from NYC and Boston than from L.A. or Texas

Temporary Housing

You may need housing until your shipment arrives:

• Short-term rentals: $60 – $150 per night for 2–3 weeks
• Extended Airbnb options: $1,500 – $3,500 per month

Living Expenses During Transition

• Food: $15 – $20 per meal (restaurants are pricey)
• Groceries for a family: $120 – $200 per week
• Local transportation: $80 – $120 monthly

• Visa & Documentation Fees

  Norway requires permits for work, residency, study, or family reunification.

  Average Costs:

• Work visa: $600 – $800
• Family immigration: $600 – $700
• Student visa: $550 – $650

• Document translation, notarization, and legal fees can add $100 – $400.

Pet Relocation Costs

Norway has strict pet import rules.

Typical costs include:

• Vet visit & vaccinations: $150 – $500
• Microchipping: $50 – $70
• Airline pet flight: $200 – $1,500 depending on size
• Crates & accessories: $60 – $250

Pets must meet Norway’s health and identification requirements, so budget accordingly.

Additional Fees People Forget

Many movers forget about the “small” costs that add up fast.

Hidden relocation expenses:

• Insurance: 1–4% of shipment value
• Storage in U.S. or Norway: $120 – $350 per month
• Elevator fees, long-carry fees
• Handling oversized furniture (pianos, pool tables)
• Cleaning fees
• Apartment deposits (Norway requires up to 3 months’ rent)

Proper planning helps you avoid last-minute surprises.

Cost of Living in Norway After Moving

Once you arrive, day-to-day living costs matter.

Housing & Rent

• Oslo city center: $1,500 – $2,800+ / month
• Bergen/Trondheim: $1,200 – $2,000
• Small towns: $900 – $1,500

Utilities & Internet

• Electricity & heating: $120 – $220
• Internet: $40 – $75

Transportation

Public transport is excellent.

• Monthly pass: $80 – $120
• Gasoline: $7–8 per gallon

Groceries

Living costs are high:

• Weekly groceries for a family: $120 – $180

Healthcare

Norway has universal healthcare, but you pay a small co-pay:

• Doctor visit: $20–$35
• Prescriptions: affordable

Schooling

Public schools are free.

Private schools can cost $4,000 – $8,000+ per year.

How to Reduce the Cost of Moving to Norway

Declutter Before Shipment

Shipping cost is based on volume, so sell or donate unnecessary items.

Choose Sea Freight Over Air Freight

Sea shipping is 4–5x cheaper and ideal for full household moves.

Get Multiple Quotes

Prices differ widely among moving companies — comparing quotes may save thousands.

Use Shared Containers

Best for smaller homes and budgets.

Move During Off-Peak Seasons

International moving is cheaper:

• October–March

Ship Essentials Only

Furniture in Norway is pricier, but still cheaper to buy small, replaceable items locally.

How VanLinesMove Helps With Moving to Norway

VanLinesMove specializes in handling long-distance and international relocations, making your U.S. to Norway move smooth and stress-free.

How VanLinesMove supports you:

• International packing & freight logistics
• Assistance with customs forms and documentation
• Affordable shared-container and full-container options
• Real-time shipment tracking
• Transparent estimates with no hidden fees
• Professional handling of furniture, fragile items, and valuables

With our global moving partners, your relocation to Norway becomes simpler, more predictable, and more affordable.

Conclusion

Moving from the United States to Norway is exciting, but the costs can be significant. From container shipping to visas, customs, and temporary housing, your relocation budget may range from $4,500 to over $20,000, depending on how much you bring and the services you use. Planning early, requesting detailed quotes, and understanding all expenses can help you stay within budget.

With the support of professional movers like VanLinesMove, you can navigate shipping, paperwork, and logistics confidently, starting your new Scandinavian life without stress.

FAQs (Short Answers)

1. How much does it cost to move to Norway?

Moving to Norway typically costs between $4,500 and $15,000+, depending on shipping method, distance, and the amount of belongings.

2. What is the cheapest way to move to Norway?

The cheapest method is shared-container sea freight, flexible dates, and downsizing belongings before shipping.

3. How long does it take to move my belongings to Norway?

Shipping by sea takes 4–8 weeks, while air freight arrives in 4–10 days but costs more.

4. Do I need a visa to move to Norway?

Yes — most movers need a residence permit, especially for work, family reunification, or long-term stays.

5. How much does it cost to ship a car to Norway?

Shipping a vehicle usually costs $2,000–$5,000, plus import duties and registration fees in Norway.