Oslo
Norway · Scandinavia · Europe
Oslo pairs a compact, walkable waterfront core with easy escapes to forest and fjord, making it a dream for nomads who value nature, design and order over a cheap rent bill. Expect blistering internet, near-perfect safety, near-universal English and a polished startup scene clustered around MESH and Aker Brygge. The catch is cost: this is one of Europe's most expensive cities, and dark, cold winters demand a tolerance for short daylight.
Wealth migration
Outflowing−150Oslo bleeds millionaires to Switzerland as Norway's wealth tax and new 37.8% exit tax drive a founder exodus.
Tax regime
Net wealth tax (up to 1.1%) + 37.8% exit tax on emigration
No regime for new arrivals; 1.1% annual wealth tax over ~NOK20m plus 37.8% dividend/capital-gains and a tightened exit tax are pushing HNWIs out, mainly to Switzerland.
Golden / investor visa
No residency-by-investment programme.
Why the wealthy are leaving, 2025-26
- Annual net wealth tax (raised to 1.1% over ~NOK20.7m in 2022) is the core push factor for Norwegian HNWIs and the highest such levy in Western Europe
- 37.8% combined dividend/capital-gains rate makes holding company shares costly, hitting founders and family owners hardest
- Exit-tax tightening in 2024-2025: leaving triggers a 37.8% tax on unrealized share gains above NOK3m, and the old indefinite-deferral loophole was abolished, locking in departing wealth
- Switzerland (low-/no-wealth-tax cantons like Zug, Schwyz, plus lump-sum taxation) is the dominant destination; ~300+ Norwegian multimillionaires/billionaires incl. Kjell Inge Rokke have relocated there
- Henley & Partners projects a continued net loss of roughly 150 millionaires in 2025; Kapital reports 105 of Norway's 400 richest now live abroad or have shifted assets overseas
More of Oslo
Monthly cost breakdown
$3,550solo nomad · mid-rangeClimate
Continental (humid continental / subarctic)Pros
- Among the world's safest cities with excellent infrastructure
- Very fast, reliable internet and near-universal English
- Walkable core with immediate access to forest, fjord and ski trails
- Clean air and strong design, arts and startup culture
Cons
- Extremely high cost of living, especially rent and dining
- Long, dark, cold winters with very short daylight
- No dedicated digital nomad visa for non-EU remote workers
Where nomads stay
Hip, cafe-dense former working-class district; nomad and creative favorite
Central waterfront with offices, dining and easy transit
Multicultural, lively and relatively more affordable, close to center
Elegant, leafy west-side area near Vigeland Park, pricier and quiet
Coworking
- MESH
- Spaces
- Rebel
- 657 Oslo
Annual events
- Oslo PrideJune
- by:Larm (music & industry festival)February
- Oslo World (music festival)November
