Arriving in Norway

Normal trading hours for grocery stores in Norway are Monday to Saturday between approx. 7am - 11pm. If you arrive on a Sunday, you will be able to purchase groceries at smaller kiosks or fuel stations.

Bodø
For students in Bodø, Joker in Reinsletta is the closest kiosk to Flatvold student accommodation. Joker at Mørkved is the closest kiosk to the other student houses at Mørkved.

Levanger
For students in Levanger, Coop Prix Levangernesset in Staupslia is the closest grocery store to Byborg student home. Kiwi Moan at Moafjæra is the closest grocery store to Moan student home. Rema 1000 is the closest store for Røstad student home.

Approximate expenses pr month in NOK living in Norway:

• Accommodation: 3650 – 5950 NOK (single room) depending on study location
• Food: 3000 – 3500 NOK 
• Public transport: 440 NOK (with a valid student card) 
• Miscellaneous: 2000 - 2500 NOK 

Total: Be able to cover NOK 12600 per month 

Currency exchange
The Norwegian currency is Norwegian Kroner, NOK. If you are planning on exchanging currencies we strongly recommend that you do this upon arrival in Norway or at Oslo International Airport. It is not possbile to exchange currency in Bodø, Steinkjer or Levanger. 

Preferred payment method​​
The preferred payment method in Norway is credit/debit card. Note that some services do not accept cash as a payment method. This includes the public buses, which accept card, travel card or payment via an app.

Opening a Norwegian bank account
Non-EU/EEA students are required to transfer subsistence money to a Norwegian bank account as a condition of their residency permit. More information about sufficient financial means.

If you wish to open a Norwegian bank account upon your arrival, you will first need to obtain your National Identity Number. More information about national ID numbers is available from the Norwegian tax authority. It may take several weeks to open a Norwegian bank account.

Using a personal credit card from your home country 
If you choose to use your personal credit card from your home bank, be aware that you will probably be charged fees for transactions and cash withdrawals, as well as be subject to varying exchange rates.

Most international students apply for student housing through the student welfare organisation StudentiNord.

Studentinord's furnished accommodation includes bedding and cooking equipment. If you have any questions about your student accommodation, get in touch with Studentinord.​

Please remember to tell StudentiNord​ about your arrival so they can prepare your key. 

You can purchase a SIM card at "Narvesen" (news agency​). Ask about which packages the different operators offer. Many offer deals on international calls. The amount of available mobile data, and the quality of reception also varies.

Charge cards
You may purchase a charge card at "7 Eleven" or "Narvesen", which is valid for between 200 - 2000 kroner. You can use these charge cards at shops and for online purchases. These cards cannot be recharged.

• Private health insurance
• Waterproof, windproof jacket / raincoat
• Winter jacket
• Waterproof trousers
• Hiking shoes / boots (Gore-Tex or similar)
• Warm sweater
• Thermal underwear
• Warm hat, gloves, and scarf
• Swimsuit (for indoor pool / ice-bathing / sauna)
• Sport clothes and shoes or indoor training (training centres do not allow singlets or outdoor shoes)
• Camera with charger (Norway is an eldora​do for amateur photographers)
• Medications (bring original containers and prescriptions)
• Lap-top
• ​​Norwegian phrasebook​

The weather in Norway can be unpredictable. We advise you to be prepared for all kinds of weather.