1. LIVING & WORKING IN NORWAY
EURES adviser Gry Kristin Vist
LIVING & WORKING IN NORWAY

2. NAV EURES The Norwegian Labour & Welfare Organisation
EURES – EURopean Employment Services
Information about labour market, living and working abroad

3. Geography Length 1 750 km 420 km at the widest, 6 km at the narrowest
7 largest country in Europe, very long coastline
Borders to Sweden, Finland and Russia
4,7 million inhabitants
Largest cities: Oslo ( ) Bergen ( ) Trondheim ( ) Stavanger ( )
Climate – from – 30 C to + 30C

5. Language Most Norwegians speak English
...But most of the employers require Norwegian spoken, or a Scandinavian laguage
Ask your local Eures Adviser about language courses in your country
The Norwegian authorities do not offer EU/EEA citizens language courses free of charge

6. Labour Market I Unemployment: ca 1,9 % average (September 2008)
Vacancies
”Education and special skills is the best guarantee to stay in, or make an easy entry into, the labour market”

7. Labour Market II Vocational education and relevant experience
Shortages: Engineers-many sectors, mechanical industry (skilled workers), health sector (dentists, doctors), hotel and tourism (chefs and waiters), service sector (hairdressers)
Surpluses: consultants (economy/administration), office workers, sales and service staff

8. Transitional rules for NY EU10
Special rules for residence permits for citizens from EEA countries that entered the EU after 01 May 2004
Changed – You can now begin working while your application is being processed
Offer for full-time position with salary according to Norwegian industry standards
Complete application with all necessary documents
The local police handles applications (in some cases the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration -UDI)

9. Jobseeking I Make a Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English
Personalia (name, address, phone, etc.)
Education (describe shortly)
Work Experience (describe shortly)
Courses
Language skills
Interests
References (name of former employer + phone numbers)

10. Jobseeking II www.nav.no www.eures.no www.eures.europa.eu
NAV Service Centre Phone
Monday – Friday 08:00 – 18:00
Contact the EURES Adviser in your area

11. Jobseeking III 60-70% of the jobs are not advertised
Use (Yellow pages), English version
Search by category, location etc.
Look up companies’ web sites
Use search motors such as Google, Yahoo etc.
Contact employers directly
Use your personal network

12. Employment issues “Working environment act”
All employers are required to give you a written contract which should contain
Starting date
Working hours (37,5 – 40 hours per week)
Wages, paid when and how often (pr month)
Trial period (6 months)
Period of notice (3 months/ 2 weeks)
Holidays in Norway (5 weeks)

13. Wages – more information
No national minimum wage: employers and labour unions negotiate industry standard wage levels which apply for all workers
Public sector:
Scale of salaries often given in “lønnstrinn” = salary level)
Ex. Nurse: ltr = € 2500 – 2700/HUF
per month (+ evening/night duty ca 10-15%)
Private sector:
Craftsmen - €/h / HUF/h
Unskilled workers/assistants - €/h / HUF/h
Overtime, extra pay for ex. night/weekend/holidays etc.

14. Thank you for your attention!