Thinking of Buying a Home in Norway as a Foreigner? Read This Before You Place an Offer

Av: Dato: English

Buying a home in Norway as a non-resident is entirely possible — but bidding process is very different from what you might be used to in countries like the US, UK, or Australia.

The biggest difference? You must have full financing ready before you bid.

Financing Rules in Norway

All funds must be secured in advance. You must document that you have the entire purchase amount either:

  • As equity in a Norwegian bank account, or
  • Through a mortgage pre-approval from a Norwegian bank.

Both of these things are not possible unless you have registered with the Norwegian Tax Administration, obtained a D-number, and receive your salary in Norway.

Read more here:

Foreign bank confirmation:
In some cases, sellers and agents may accept a bank statement or letter from your bank in your home country — but this needs to be agreed on before bidding.

Proof to the agent: The bank (Norwegian or foreign) must confirm your financing directly to the listing agent before your offer can be accepted.  Or you use a bank statement from abroad if the seller and real estate agent accept this.

No “Cash Buyer” Perks Like in the US

In the US, “cash buyers” often get a faster closing, a discount, or the ability to bypass certain contingencies. In Norway, there’s no such advantage — because everyone must show proof of financing upfront. And offers cannot be made “subject to financing later”. It will not be accepted. If your financing is not ready, your bid usually is invalid.

Why This Matters for International Buyers

Many international buyers assume they can make an offer first, then arrange financing. In Norway, that’s not possible — the system is designed to ensure only fully funded offers are considered. While this can feel restrictive, it also makes the process faster and more predictable once your bid is accepted.

How to Prepare as a Foreigner

  • Open a Norwegian bank account early (this can take time). (if possible for you)
  • Secure mortgage pre-approval from a Norwegian bank if you need financing if (possible for you)
  • If using funds from abroad, discuss the documentation requirements with the agent well in advance.
  • Understand the bidding process — offers are legally binding the moment they’re accepted.

With experience guiding many international clients through this process, I can help you navigate the rules and avoid costly delays.

I always take time with my clients in advance to clarify this, so we can avoid delays or being denied participation in the bidding process.

DM me if you’re ready to start your home-buying journey in Norway — and let’s make sure your financing is rock solid before you bid!

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Buying property in Norway: Residency, D-Numbers, and bank accounts

Av: Dato: English

Buying property in Norway as a foreigner is not as complicated as you might think. While the rules for living and settling in Norway can be complex, the process of acquiring real estate is relatively straightforward—provided that your finances are in order.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what’s required to buy property, how to handle residency questions, and what to do if you need a Norwegian bank account.

Can Foreigners Buy Property in Norway?

Yes, foreigners can buy property in Norway without significant restrictions. The main requirement is proof of financing. When you make a purchase offer, you must demonstrate that your funds are available and legitimate.

Due to anti-money laundering laws, sellers (or their agents) may ask about the origin of your funds. If your money comes from salary, savings, or other legitimate sources, this is not an issue.

Tip: Always have documentation ready, such as bank statements or proof of transfer, to avoid delays during the purchase process.

Residency Rules: What You Need to Know

While buying property is easy, obtaining residence or the right to live in Norway is a separate matter. Norwegian residency rules are complex and depend on your nationality, employment situation, and other factors.

This is not my area of expertise, which is why I work with an experienced immigration lawyer who can guide you through the process and assess your chances of getting a residence permit. If you need help, I can provide his contact details.

What Is a D-Number, and Why Do You Need One?

A D-number is a temporary identification number issued by the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten). It’s often needed when you have financial or official ties to Norway but are not a resident.

To get a D-number, you generally need:

  • A connection to Norway (e.g., temporary residence, paying taxes, or receiving salary here).

If you buy property in Norway, you will automatically be assigned a special D-number to register your ownership with the Norwegian Land Registry (Kartverket).
Important: This property-related D-number is not the same as a general identification number and cannot be used for all services.

Opening a Bank Account in Norway

Most foreign buyers want a Norwegian bank account to pay property-related expenses. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to open a bank account without a D-number(the “proper” one from the tax office).

So, how can you handle costs such as:

  • Housing association (felleskostnader) fees?

  • Municipal taxes and utilities?

  • Other running costs?

The solution is to pay from your foreign bank account using IBAN details (International Bank Account Number) provided on the invoices you receive.

Paying Bills Without a Norwegian Bank Account

Even if you can’t open a Norwegian bank account, you can still pay bills for your property:

  1. Use your foreign bank account.

  2. Ensure you include the IBAN number (listed on the invoice).

  3. Use SWIFT/BIC codes if required for international transfers.

This system works well for most property owners living abroad.

Final Thoughts

Buying property in Norway is straightforward for foreigners, but settling here is a different story. Make sure you have the right legal advice on residency and understand how to handle banking challenges.

Even without a Norwegian bank account, paying property expenses is manageable with international transfers and IBAN numbers.

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Hvorfor kan det lønne seg å være tidlig ute med boligkjøpet i høst ?

Av: Dato: Rådgivning

Sommermånedene er alltid rolige i boligmarkedet, og juli er intet unntak. Mange meglere har ferie, få nye boliger legges ut, og lageret av usolgte boliger har sunket. Men – det er i ferd med å snu. For hver dag som går, dukker det opp flere og flere nye objekter, og i midten av august kan vi forvente et mye bedre utvalg av boliger til salgs.

Hvor stort utvalget blir i høst, er for tidlig å si.Kanskje blir det like bra som i vår – kanskje ikke. Men en ting er sikkert:

Jo flere boliger som er til salgs, jo mindre press er det på hver enkelt bolig.For deg som kjøper betyr det flere alternativer, roligere budrunder og bedre forhandlingsmuligheter.

Lavere rente – mer konkurranse

Norges Bank har nylig kuttet renten litt, og flere tror dette kan være starten på den varslede rentenedgangen.

Hva betyr det for deg?

* Lavere rente = flere kjøpere på banen.
* Flere kjøpere = mer konkurranse og høyere prispress.

Men her er trikset:

Det tar tid før folk faktisk merker renteendringer og begynner å handle.Derfor kan du som er tidlig ute i høst, gjøre et bra kjøp før markedet våkner helt.

Klar for høstjakta?

Hvis du vet at du skal kjøpe bolig i år, er det lurt å starte planleggingen nå. Ja, selv om du fortsatt er i feriemodus med tærne i sanden og iskaffen i hånda.  Eller nettopp kommet tilbake fra jobb og tenker at du har nok av annet å tenke på.

Her er det du bør gjøre først:

1. Fiks finansieringsbeviset!
Du kommer ikke langt uten det. Ingen selgere godtar forbehold om finansiering lenger. Låneprosessen kan ta tid, så kom i gang – gjerne sjekk flere banker for å sikre deg best mulig tilbud.

2. Lag en liste med MÅ HA og KJEKT Å HA.
Hva er viktigst for deg? Balkong? Kort vei til jobb? Godt med lagringsplass? Skriv det ned, og vær ærlig med deg selv – og budsjettet ditt.

3. Få en realitetssjekk.
Kanskje har du større eller mindre handlingsrom enn du tror. “Money talks” – det er økonomien som avgjør hva du faktisk kan kjøpe.

Jeg hjelper deg igang – helt uforpliktende!

Er du usikker på hva du har råd til eller hvor du bør lete? Jeg tilbyr rask og uforpliktende rådgivning med oppdaterte tall for markedet og boligdatabasen Eiendomsverdi– over hele landet. Du får en ærlig oversikt over mulighetene dine – og kanskje noen tips om hvordan du kan styrke kjøpekraften din.

Er du klar for å gjøre et smart kjøp i høst?

Ikke vent til budrundene blir kaotiske og prisene begynner å løpe fra deg.

Book et uforpliktende, digitalt møte med meg allerede i dag – eller send meg en e-post.

Jeg er her for å hjelpe deg !

Vennlig  hilsen
Boligdama
Trude Larsen
Boligkjøpsrådgiver
trude@boligdama  – 950 37 330

 

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The Housing Market in Norway Right Now – And Some Summer Tips for Those Planning to Buy

Av: Dato: English

After a sharp increase in prices earlier this year, the housing market has calmed down somewhat as we head into summer. Prices have remained fairly stable over the past few months, but activity is still high — with many homes being bought and sold. Nationwide, housing prices have risen by 6.6% so far this year.

In June, we saw the first interest rate cut of the year — a modest reduction of 0.25% — but further cuts are expected throughout the autumn as inflation becomes more controlled. So far, this hasn’t had much impact on prices, but it’s quite typical for the housing market to quiet down a bit during the summer months. If interest rates continue to fall, we might see prices rising again this autumn.

However, there are large variations from region to region, so if you are considering buying a home, it’s wise to get an updated overview of the market in the area you’re interested in. Feel free to reach out to me — I’m more than happy to help you explore the opportunities where you want to live.

My Summer Plans – And My Availability for You

This summer, I’m enjoying time here in beautiful Norway — both at the cabin and with family and friends along the southern coast. This year, we also have family visiting from Canada, and we’re looking forward to showing them all the wonderful things our country has to offer.

Even though I’ll be on holiday for most of July, I always keep an eye on the housing market. If something interesting comes up, I’m never far from my phone. In fact, many people choose to list their homes early in the summer holidays, so there can definitely be good opportunities for buyers right now. Don’t hesitate to reach out if something urgent comes up.

A Small Piece of Summer Advice for Those Dreaming of Buying This Autumn
If you’re considering buying a home this autumn, I recommend using the summer wisely. When you have a bit more time and peace, it can be helpful to sit down and make a simple list of your “MUST HAVES” and “NICE TO HAVES” for your next home. This will give you clarity and confidence when the right home appears.

Wishing you a wonderful summer! Enjoy these days — and feel free to reach out if you’d like to have a nice chat about your home-buying plans in the summer sun.

Best wishes
Boligdama – Trude Larsen
e.mail: trude@boligdama.no

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