Norway to Raise Salary Requirements for Work Permit Applicants Starting September 2025
Starting September 1, 2025, Norway will implement new, higher salary thresholds for foreign nationals applying for work permits, aligning with the country’s updated wage standards.
As reported by Schengen.News, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) confirmed that the changes aim to better reflect recent wage growth in Norway and ensure foreign workers receive salaries comparable to local employees.
What’s Changing?
Foreign workers seeking employment in Norway will now need to meet these revised minimum annual salary requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree roles: Minimum salary of NOK 522,600 (approx. €45,190), up from NOK 469,366.
- Master’s degree roles: Minimum salary of NOK 599,200 (approx. €51,802), up from NOK 513,100.
This increase marks a significant adjustment, with UDI emphasizing that previous annual updates had not kept pace with actual wage growth in the country.
Collective Agreements & Local Salary Standards
For sectors governed by collective agreements, employers must continue to pay at least the stipulated collective wage rate.
However, UDI also clarified that lower salaries may still be accepted under specific circumstances. Applicants must provide substantial documentation showing that the proposed wage is normal for their occupation and location in Norway.
"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," UDI stated.
Related Policy Updates
This update follows a similar move earlier this year. In February 2025, Norway increased the minimum income requirement for family reunification applications from NOK 335,000 (€28,572) to NOK 400,000 (€34,116) annually.
These changes reflect Norway’s broader efforts to ensure fairness in its labor and immigration policies, keeping pace with the country’s economic landscape.
Source: Schengen.News
