Norway to Enforce New Salary Requirements for Work Permit Applicants Starting September 1

Beginning September 1, 2025, Norway will implement new salary thresholds for foreign nationals seeking work permits, marking a significant shift in its approach to reflect the country’s wage growth trends. The changes were announced by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Under Norway’s existing rules, foreign workers must receive salaries and working conditions that align with Norwegian standards. The upcoming adjustments will revise the benchmarks used to evaluate whether job offers meet this requirement.

“To be granted a residence permit to work in Norway, your salary and working conditions must be in line with what is normal in Norway,” the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration stated. “The annual adjustments we have made in the past have not kept pace with wage growth. Therefore, we have made significant adjustments to the salary requirements.”

According to UDI, foreign nationals working in sectors regulated by collective agreements must continue to receive at least the applicable collective wage rate. However, for roles that require higher education qualifications, specific minimum salary thresholds are being raised substantially.

Applicants pursuing positions that require a bachelor’s degree will now need to be offered a minimum annual salary of NOK 522,600 (approximately €45,190), up from the previous NOK 469,366 (around €40,587). Those in roles that require a master’s degree must be paid at least NOK 599,200 (about €51,802) per year, a notable increase from the current requirement of NOK 513,100 (approximately €44,358).

Despite the stricter salary criteria, UDI clarified that certain exemptions might still apply. “We may accept a lower salary if you can document that this is normal for your occupation in the place where you will be working,” the agency explained. “However, it takes substantial evidence to provide documentation for this. However, it takes substantial evidence to provide documentation for this.”

The policy shift follows an earlier change made in February 2025, when Norway increased the minimum income requirement for foreign nationals seeking to bring family members to the country under family reunification rules. At that time, the threshold was raised from NOK 335,000 (€28,572) to NOK 400,000 (€34,116) annually.

The latest salary revisions underscore Norway’s ongoing efforts to ensure that labor market standards remain aligned with economic realities and to uphold equitable conditions for both domestic and foreign workers.

By fLEXI tEAM