Public Offices

Moving to Norway

UDI – Directorate of Immigration
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is the central agency in the immigration administration in Norway. The UDI has the overall responsibility for coordinating the immigration administration.

Skatteetaten – Norwegian Tax Administration
The Norwegian Tax Administration is responsible for the estimation and collection of taxes and secure funding of public services and benefits and also the maintenance of the national registry.

Statens Vegvesen – Norwegian Public Roads Administration
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is responsible for the planning, construction and operation of the national and county road networks, vehicle inspection and requirements, driver training and licensing.

Toll – Customs Norway
Customs is responsible for the prevention of illegal importation and exportation of goods and ensuring of proper labeling, determination and timely payment of customs duties and taxes.

Husbanken – Norwegian State Housing Bank
The Norwegian State Housing Bank is the government agency for the implementation of the housing policy and together with the municipalities, assists the disadvantaged in the housing market.

Work

NAV – Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service
The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service (NAV) plays a broad participatory role in the world of work, family and society, and contributes to the financial security of the individual. This depends on close interaction with the user, working life and local authorities, and a sharper focus on people with special needs in relation to the labour market and others in a challenging life situation.

Skatteetaten – Norwegian Tax Administration
The Norwegian Tax Administration is responsible for the estimation and collection of taxes and secure funding of public services and benefits and also the maintenance of the national registry.

Arbeidstilsynet – Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority is a governmental agency under the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion, focused on occupational safety and health.

Starting Your Own Business (Altinn) 
Altinn is the ‘Point of Single Contact’ (PSC) according to the EU Services Directive in Norway. PSCs are contact points where SMEs easily can obtain information, submit applications and collect decisions or other replies without having to deal with a multitude of authorities at different administrative levels.

Family and Child Related Benefits and Allowances

NAV – Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service
The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service (NAV) plays a broad participatory role in the world of work, family and society, and contributes to the financial security of the individual. This depends on close interaction with the user, working life and local authorities, and a sharper focus on people with special needs in relation to the labour market and others in a challenging life situation.

Recognition of Higher Education and Expertise

Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills

Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills is a professionally independent government agency that contributes towards quality assurance and enhancement in higher education.

Trade Unions and Trade Union Federations

LO – The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions
The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) is decidedly the largest and most influential workers’ organisation in Norway. LO has a strong position in society and has set its stamp on society’s development for more than 100 years.

Akademikerne – The Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations
The Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations (Akademikerne) is the primary Norwegian organization dedicated to improving salary and working conditions for professionals with a higher education.

YS – The Confederation of Vocational Unions
The Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS) is a politically independent umbrella organization for employees.

Unio
Unio is Norway’s second largest confederation of professional unions for employees, with 300,000 members. Unio represents ten individual unions. Members have a university or college education. Most members work in the public sector.

Miscellaneous Services

Forbrukerrådet – The Consumer Council of Norway
The Consumer Council of Norway is responsible for increasing consumer influence in society, to contribute to consumer-friendly developments, and to promote measures that strengthen the position of consumers. The Consumer Council is free to develop an independent consumer policy, and is independent of commercial interests and other organisations.

Konfliktrådet – Mediation and Reconciliation Service
Konfliktrådet is a public service which helps to resolve conflicts – whether between private parties or between victim and perpetrator where a criminal offense has taken place. The intention is that the parties through dialogue can find solutions, whether it’s to make up for specific offenses or restoring human relations. Mediation is offered to all, regardless of age. The service is free and available throughout the country.

Forliksrådet – The Conciliation Board
The Conciliation Board is the lowest level of the legal system for civil cases. It is a mediation service that has limited judicial powers. The Conciliation Board’s main task is to help the parties to a case to resolve it in a simple, quick and inexpensive manner, either through mediation or by judgement.

Fri Rettshjelp
Free legal aid.

The Rent Disputes Tribunal

The Rent Disputes Tribunal is an official body that provides guidance on tenancy matters to landlords and tenants. If conflict occurs during the tenancy, disputes are resolved through mediation or written decisions.