How to Buy a Car in Norway: A Complete Guide for Foreign Workers

Employment Contract

If you are already in Norway, you likely have an employment contract. You should also have your D-number set up. If you don't have it yet, you need to visit the Work and Welfare Office (NAV). You must book an appointment in advance — I recommend doing so at least two weeks ahead to have a good selection of available times. You can book your appointment HERE.

Online Transfer / Transfer at the Office

In Norway, you can transfer vehicle ownership online. This is the fastest and easiest way to complete the process. The second option is to handle everything in person at a government office, which means both the seller and the buyer must be present together. In addition, you need to book an appointment in advance, and the entire process can be quite time-consuming. For these reasons, I definitely recommend doing the transfer online.

BankID

To complete the online transfer of car ownership, you must have BankID. This is your electronic identity in Norway, allowing you to transfer vehicle ownership, take out loans, sign documents, use digital postal services, and access many other official online services.

You obtain this electronic identity when you open a bank account. We opened our account at SpareBank, since it was the only bank available in Hemsedal, where we were working at the time. For that reason, I'm sharing the account-opening requirements specifically for this bank.

To open the account and receive BankID, we needed an employment contract and a D-number. The fee for opening the account was 1,000 NOK (approximately 85 €). The payment card required an additional fee of 300 NOK (approximately 25.5 €).

At the bank, you will also download two applications—one for internet banking and the other for BankID verification.

Transferring Car Ownership

We completed the ownership transfer online through the official Statens Vegvesen website. In our case, the process was initiated by the seller. They logged into the system using their BankID and filled out the electronic sales contract, entering their information, our details as the buyers, and the vehicle data. After that, we received a notification that we needed to approve the transfer.

Once we logged in with our BankID, we confirmed the transfer, making the contract officially signed. We then sent the payment for the car to the seller's bank account. After the seller verified that the funds had arrived, they finalized the transfer online.

At the end of the process, we had to pay the ownership transfer fee, which in our case was 1,900 NOK. The total amount may vary depending on the vehicle's type, age, and weight. Once the fee was paid, the car was automatically registered in our name, and from that moment on, it was officially ours.

The entire process was fast, stress-free, and didn't require any in-person visit to an office.

Car Insurance in Norway

After the car is transferred to a new owner, it is mandatory to have insurance immediately. In Norway, the minimum legal requirement is liability insurance (Ansvarsforsikring). This insurance covers damage you cause to other people or their property, but does not cover damage to your own vehicle. Driving without this insurance is illegal and can result in high fines.

In addition to the mandatory insurance, you can choose from extended coverage options. The most common ones are:

Delkasko (Partial Coverage / "Kasko Light") – covers things like damage caused by animals, fire, theft, or broken windows.

Full Kasko (Comprehensive Coverage) – the most expensive but also the most complete option. It covers damage to your own car even if you cause the accident yourself.

You can arrange your insurance online through companies such as IF, Gjensidige, Fremtind, Tryg, and others. The insurance becomes active almost instantly. The price depends on several factors – mainly the driver's age, driving experience, the type and power of the car, and the area where you live. Monthly costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand NOK.

Honestly, it can be a bit confusing at first, so I recommend asking the seller for advice if you're unsure.

Mandatory Car Equipment in Norway

In Norway, there isn't a precisely defined list of mandatory car equipment like a first aid kit or reflective vest. However, a warning triangle is required in every car and must be used in case of a breakdown or accident. A reflective vest is not mandatory but is strongly recommended for your own safety. A spare tire or car jack is not required either – many cars only have a tire repair kit instead of a spare.

Finally, a practical tip – if you have an older car, it's quite likely that the regular FM radio won't work, because in Norway most broadcasting is now digital via DAB. For this reason, I recommend bringing along CDs, a Bluetooth transmitter, or another way to play music while driving.