Moving or travelling to Svalbard

Flytte eller reise til Svalbard
Here you can read about the various regulations you must observe if you are planning to travel or move to Svalbard.

Svalbard and Norway

Svalbard is part of the Kingdom of Norway, but not all laws that apply on the Norwegian mainland apply for Svalbard. For example, Svalbard is not part of the Schengen co-operation or the EEA Agreement, and there is a requirement that you must be able to support yourself if you are living on, or travelling to, Svalbard. However, the Nordic Convention on Social Security does apply on the archipelago in the north, but you should note that regulations may differ from those that apply on mainland Norway.

Regulations regarding entry to Svalbard

The Norwegian Immigration Act does not apply on Svalbard, but Svalbard has a particular status in international law through the Svalbard Treaty. This means that citizens of all countries that are signatories to the treaty have the same right of access to and residence on Svalbard. Svalbard is not part of the Schengen co-operation, and foreigners need neither a visa nor a work or residence permit to stay on Svalbard. However, a visa for the Schengen area is required when travelling via the Norwegian mainland.

Everyone travelling in and out of Svalbard must be able to prove their identity with a passport. Citizens of Schengen countries and Nordic citizens may also show national ID cards when travelling to and from Svalbard.

Moving to Svalbard

It is recommended that you have a job or place on an educational programme before moving to Svalbard. This is because of the requirement that you must have sufficient funds to support yourself on Svalbard. This requirement applies to both foreigners and Norwegians. 

People planning to live on Svalbard must register in the archipelago’s Population Register within 8 days of arrival. You should visit the tax office and report your arrival if:

  • You are moving to Svalbard and will be there for at least 6 months

  • You are moving within Svalbard and your period of residence will be/has been at least 6 months

  • You are moving from Svalbard

If you are registered as a resident on Svalbard, you have certain rights regarding hunting and fishing, firearms, alcohol cards, and health services. Even if you are registered as a resident on Svalbard, you are not regarded as a resident of Norway, so it is important to check with your home country about your rights and obligations when you live on Svalbard.

Rights and obligations when living on Svalbard

If you are planning to live temporarily, or move to Svalbard, you should find out about the regulations that apply there. 

One requirement is that you have sufficient resources to support yourself  on Svalbard. The Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmesteren), the Norwegian Government’s highest-ranking representative on the archipelago, has the right to reject people who do not meet the requirements. This applies to both Norwegian citizens and citizens of other countries.

The Norwegian Social Welfare Act does not apply on Svalbard, so residents are not entitled to financial support for living expenses or housing. Residents are therefore not entitled to practical assistance if they have special needs because of illness, disability or age.

In order to receive benefits from The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) on Svalbard, you must be a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme (folketrygden). If you work for a Norwegian employer on Svalbard, you are automatically a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, but the membership ceases one month after the work agreement ends. If you have any questions about entitlement to social security benefits on Svalbard, contact NAV in Norway or the social insurance authorities in your home country before travelling.

Foreign citizens admitted to hospital on Svalbard must be able to show their passports and a health insurance card. If you do not have a health insurance card, you must be insured or be able to pay for the hospital stay yourself.

Because the Norwegian Immigration Act does not apply on Svalbard, you cannot earn the right to residence permits for the Norwegian mainland, even if you have lived on Svalbard for several years.

Work and housing

You must obtain a job on Svalbard before travelling. Most housing on Svalbard is owned by employers, and accommodation is usually offered in combination with a job offer. This makes it difficult to find housing without having a job on Svalbard.

The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, NAV, has a list of all public vacant positions in Norway. 

Tax on Svalbard

Svalbard has its own tax legislation, so all tax collected is used in the archipelago. Tax rates are lower than on the Norwegian mainland. There two tax schemes. You can either be subject to ordinary tax liability as a resident or have limited tax liability. 

Studying on Svalbard

Svalbard has its own university centre (UNIS), offering research-based education in the fields of Arctic biology, geology, geophysics and technology. UNIS is not an independent university, but a specialist institution for students who have already studied at another university in Norway or abroad. English is the working language at UNIS, where a number of courses are offered at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level.

Relevant links

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Info Norden is the information service of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Here you can find info and tips if you wish to move, work, study, seek support or start a business in the Nordic region.