A step-by-step guide to buying property in Norway

If you’re considering buying property in Norway – whether it’s a house, apartment, winter cabin, seaside cottage, holiday home or another type of property – there are a few key elements that you should familiarise yourself with first. This guide covers the essentials that you need to know.

Jente og gutt spiller badminton. Hytte i bakgrunnen. Foto.

Last updated 10 March 2026
By Sigbjørn Eliassen – EiendomsMegler 1 Norge

In this guide you will learn

How to prepare before buying property in Norway, including financing and choosing the right location.
How to find properties and what to check in the property description and condition report.
How property viewings work in Norway and how to arrange a private viewing if needed.
How the Norwegian bidding process works and how to submit a binding offer.
What happens after your offer is accepted, including contracts, payment and possible need for a D-number.
How the final inspection and transfer of ownership work before you move in.

1. Research and preparation

First and foremost – anyone can buy property in Norway, including foreign nationals. Before you start searching for potential properties, it’s a good idea to have the following sorted out:

Financing

Make sure you have your financing in order. This can be a time-consuming process, so the sooner you get this, the better. Some – but not all – Norwegian banks offer financing and mortgage loans to foreign nationals.

Location

Although you may already have decided on a region, research different places – the housing and real estate market in Norway can vary significantly depending on the location.

A real estate agent ensures that buying property in Norway is easy for you

The real estate market in Norway is well-regulated, to protect both parties involved in buying and selling.

Your agent acts as an independent third party, guiding you safely through the entire purchasing process. They assist you in finding a property that suits your preferences and provide you with information about the market and pricing.

The agent ensures that you receive all necessary documentation, such as condition reports and zoning plans. They also provide you with guidance on relevant laws, regulations, taxes and fees, along with advice on financing and help to understand the contract.

This means that when you buy a property in Norway, your agent makes the entire process safe and easy for you.

Foto av ung mann og kvinne på visning som venter barn. De står på kjøkkenet og blar i salgsoppgaven, og snakker med en eiendomsmegler.

2. Finding a property

The easiest way to find properties is on websites like Finn.no, Hjem.no and EiendomsMegler1.no. A smart tip is to contact a real estate agent who can help you to navigate the market and find suitable locations and properties.

Make sure you read the property description thoroughly and review the attached condition report. The report is conducted by independent affiliates and provides the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the property’s building integrity and any recent refurbishments.

If you’re not looking for property for permanent residence, be sure to check whether there are any residency requirements. These are usually clearly stated in the property listing.

Do you need to become a customer of a Norwegian financial institution to buy property in Norway?

Short answer: No. However, there are some important considerations.

Financing and mortgages

If you need a mortgage to finance the purchase, you will probably need to open an account with a Norwegian bank. Generally, the equity requirement from banks is 10 per cent.

Legal and regulatory compliance

You must comply with the provisions of Norway’s Anti-Money Laundering Act, which may involve providing proof of identity and the source of your funds.

Practical considerations

Having a Norwegian bank account can make the transaction process easier, especially for transferring funds and paying fees.

Although it’s not mandatory to be a customer of a Norwegian financial institution, it can be beneficial for practical reasons, especially if you need financing.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance on these matters, you’re welcome to ask our colleagues at SpareBank 1.

3. Property viewing

Most properties in Norway will have scheduled viewing slots for interested parties.

However, you may be able to coordinate with the seller’s real estate agent for a private viewing at a time more suitable for you.

Eldre hytte som ligger i en lysning i en skog, med masse snø på taket og på tunet. Foto.

4. Bidding process

Once you have found a property you like, prepare to make an offer. To place a bid, your financing must already have been secured.

The earliest acceptance deadline is 12:00 noon on the first working day after the final open viewing. Be ready to act quickly and ensure you remain available throughout the bidding process.

How to make an offer

All bids must be submitted in writing to the real estate agent. The first bid must be accompanied by valid ID and proof of financing. For the remainder of the process, bids and amendments are typically submitted via text messages to the seller’s real estate agent.

In Norway, properties are usually sold to the highest bidder, but sellers are not obligated to accept – they may choose another buyer or relist the property.

Every bid is binding until it expires and cannot be withdrawn once accepted by the seller.

Negotiation

In a bidding process, terms, ownership transfer date and price are often subject to negotiation between the bidder and seller. These negotiations are managed by the real estate agent.

5. Finalising the purchase

If your offer is accepted, a sales contract will be prepared. This outlines the terms that were agreed upon during negotiations and protects both parties.

Payment

Once your bid has been accepted, your real estate agent will arrange a contract meeting between you and the seller, either physically or digitally. The sales contract will outline how the purchase price should be paid.

You must ensure that the purchase price and associated costs are available in the real estate agent’s client account by no later than two working days before the handover. The funds must be in the client account for the transfer to be completed. Please note that when you purchase a planned or under-construction property, special payment rules apply.

If you’re taking out a bank loan, your bank must ensure that the lien is sent to the agent – no later than two working days before the handover.

For the purchase and registering, you might also need a Norwegian D-number.

What is a D-number?

A D-number is a Norwegian identification number for people who don’t have a Norwegian national identity number. You’ll need this, among other things, when you’re registering the property you’ve bought, opening a bank account, taking out insurance and paying taxes.

How do you get a D-number?

To apply for a D-number, you need a reason to request a Norwegian identification number. The Norwegian Mapping Authority (Kartverket) requests the D-number in connection with registration in the Land Register.

When you’ve bought a property, your real estate agent will help you fill out the application form and submit it for you. The application is submitted along with the deed and a certified copy of valid ID, such as a passport or national ID card.

How long does it take to get a D-number?

The processing time is usually between two and eight weeks – but it may take longer. A good tip if you want to get a D-number faster than by registering the deed is to open a bank account in Norway.

That way, you can take out insurance and electricity contracts earlier after takeover – and the seller will receive their payment faster. It might be what decides whether you get to buy the property.

Kvinne går ned en trapp foran en rød hytte ved sjøen. I hånden bærer hun et fat med mat. Foto.

6. Inspection and transfer of ownership

The date of transfer of ownership is agreed upon during the negotiation process and finalised in the sales contract. On the date of the transfer, you and the seller will meet at the property for an inspection and handover.

Be sure to inspect the property thoroughly, as you cannot make claims later regarding issues that you knew or should have known about before the handover.

Remember that when you buy property in Norway, you’re protected against hidden flaws for up to five years. If you discover flaws, it’s your responsibility as the buyer to report them as soon as possible.

Moving in

After the inspection and handover, you can move in – even before your new property is officially registered as having been transferred.

Buying property in Norway can be a smooth process when you follow these steps. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask any of our real estate agents at EiendomsMegler 1.

We wish you the best of luck with buying property in Norway.

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