New at UiS: Welcome to Stavanger

• UiS mobile app
• Sis sportssenter: fitness center at campus Ullandhaug
• Kolumbus billett (Kolumbus is the bus and travel company in Rogaland) (billett means ticket): this is where you book your tickets
• Kolumbus reiser (reiser means travels): a travelplanner that makes it easier to travel by bus
• Easypark: several places in Stavanger you can use the Easypark-app to pay for parking
• Stavanger bysykkel (bysykkel means citybike): read more about renting citybikes in Stavanger
• YR.no: most norwegians use "YR" to check the weather forecast
• VG / Stavanger Aftenblad: to read Norwegian news on your phone. VG is covering the whole country, whereas Aftenbladet is the local newspaper for Stavanger and Rogaland.
• NRK Radio: if you want to listen to Norwegian radio. NRK P1 Rogaland is the local radio channel.
• Vipps: you can use Vipps to transfer/send money to friends/family, you can also use Vipps to pay for several services online and in restaurants/bars etc. You need a Norwegian bank account to use Vipps.

If your partner will be accompanying you to Norway, finding meaningful occupation for your partner will be instrumental for the success of your stay.

Depending on personal circumstances this might involve further education, starting or continuing a professional career, getting involved in charity work and, most importantly, creating a supportive social network.

Norway is considered to be a family friendly country where the welfare politics makes it easier for couples and single-parents to combine work and family life.

The University of Stavanger will try to provide some support for social integration of the whole family. If children are accompanying you to Norway, the need for careful and long-term planning becomes even more imperative. You need to find adequate housing, daycare and schools. You should also check if you qualify for social benefits assisting parents.

• The Norwegian School System (pdf)

Kindergarten and schools

• Stavanger Municipality
• Sola Municipality
• Sandnes Municipality
• Rogaland County
• The Norwegian School System

Johannes Learning Centre for International Children and Adults

Johannes Learning Centre for International Children and Adults (Johannes Læringssenter) provides children from 6 years to learn Norwegian and train to be a pupil in a Norwegian School.

It is requested that you have a Norwegian Identity Number (identify inhabitants). Contact the centre for additional information.

International Schools in Stavanger

• International School of Stavanger
• British International School of Stavanger
• Lycee Francais de Stavanger

Bringing a car

The general rules are as follow for bringing a car are: If you have a permanent residence outside Norway or a temporary residence in Norway, you can import and temporarily use a foreign-registered vehicle in Norway without paying taxes or duties. If you have a permanent residence in Norway, you can only use a foreign-registered vehicle in certain cases.

For further information read the regulations for duties for cars and other vehicles by the Norwegian Tax Administration.

The Norwegian Tax Administration has made a calculator to use when importing a car (or other vehicles).

When bringing a pet

If you intend to bring a pet, you must contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and check which requirements and restrictions apply (mattilsynet.no).

Do you have to pay import duties?

In all likelihood, you may bring your household goods duty-free to Norway.

However, for pertaining conditions please check the information on import of household goods (toll.no) provided by the Norwegian Customs Authorities.

Declaration of importation of removal goods.

You may choose to send your belongings as freight by air, sea or road. Most airlines offer a service for transport of personal belongings. Transport by road or sea is often cheaper than by air.

The University of Stavanger covers moving expenses if the the Department Manager has approved. However, this applies usually to tenured professors / associate professors. 

The regulations requires that you obtain three bids for moving goods, and that you of course select the bid at lowest cost.

The University of Stavanger will reimburse the costs when you are registered as an employee at UiS (when you have got the work permit, Norwegian Identity Number, Norwegian Bank account etc).

Finding a moving company

If you do not want to organise the move yourself, you can use an international moving company. There are many companies operating in this field and you should spend some time to find the right company for you. Prices can vary a lot from one company to the next so it is worth the effort to compare.

It is a good idea to choose companies that have a base in or an affiliation with the country you are moving from or to. Most moving companies offer price estimates free of charge.

Storage

Yellow Box is a "storage hotel" in Stavanger if you need to keep moving goods. Please contact them directly.
Unfortunately the University of Stavanger do not have any space to keep any moving goods.

Moving insurance

We recommend that you purchase a separate moving insurance (transport insurance).

Moving companies often have limited responsibility and household goods insurances and normal travel insurances do not cover the moving of goods.

You may obtain a moving insurance through the moving company or from your regular insurance company.

• Three months before your residence permit expires you should register your application form on the Application Portal and book an appointment with the police. There might be several weeks waiting time.
• No later than one month before your residence permit expires you must go to the police at the time you have booked and hand in your documents. The application will not be submitted until you have done this.
• If you do this, you still have the same rights as before relating to work, studies etc. until you receive an answer to your application, even if your residence permit expires while you are waiting.

University of Stavanger offers transit accommodation to international employees for six months.

TRANSIT ACCOMMODATION - SINGLE ROOMS
We offer single rooms with shared kitchen, livingroom, and bath (seperate for men and women). These will be rented out for a period up to six months while you search for a permanent place to stay. The rooms are on campus. The tenant must bring duvet, pillow, bedlinen and towels.

TRANSIT ACCOMMODATION - STUDIO FLATS
We have a few studio flats, with a small kitchen/livingroom, bath w/washingmachin, bedroom/workplace. Single parents, couples or permanent professors/associate professors will have first priority. The studio flats are on campus. The tenant must bring duvet, pillow, bedlinen and towels.

Ydalir Campus Hotel is a brilliant option with an excellent location on UiS campus.

If you arrive late in the evening, "Ydalir" campus hotel, is a brilliant option, with an excellent location on campus.

The hotel is located next to a busstop for the Airport and the busstop is also used by excellent public transport services to and from Stavanger Town centre.

We can recommend our Campus Hotel “Ydalir” and they will give special prices for longterm rental.

Ydalir Hotel was gifted to the University of Stavanger by the Smedvig family. Peder Smedvig established his first shipping company in 1915. The hotels surplus will each year be donated to the University of Stavanger; contributing financially to the furthering of research and education.

• Work in Norway - The Offical Guide (nav.no) provided by Norwegian government agencies.
• EURES Europe (eures.europa.eu) provides a well of up to-date country-specific information of interestto job seekers as well as a job database.
• The Norwegian Trade Portal (nortrade.com) offers comprehensive information to job seekers in Norway.
• Finding a job in Norway (lifeinnorway.net) - an employment counsellor gives her five most important tips to becoming a successful job seeker in Norway.
• The Social Guidebook to Norway 1 & 2 by Julien S. Bourrelle.

University of Stavanger offers a program emphasizes practical information about living and working in Norway and cross-cultural training in the Norwegian context.

University of Stavanger collaborate with Stavanger Chamber International assisting new assignees and their families in adapting to Norwegian life in the best possible way.

This program is an offer to all international employees, with spouse, when they have settled. The membership with Stavanger Chamber of Commerce gives international employees and their partners at the University of Stavanger the possibility participating on events arranged by Stavanger Chamber International. UIS’s membership includes seminars, social events, networking and a monthly newsletter. We provide spousal support in regards to career advice should this be required.

We arrange monthly “Living and Working in the Stavanger Region Course” days which is a program covering Geography, History, Politics, Culture, Norwegian Characteristics, Daily life, Safety, Transport, a tour of Stavanger and lunch.

There is a well of oportunities to socialite, learn the language and more spesifc type of courses like; Job Search and Career guidance or informal "Språk-kafé" (Norwegian conversation group).

When coming to Norway with a foreign education or foreign professional qualification, it is important to check whether you need authorization or recognition of your education in order to practice your profession here.

• Stavanger Chamber International
• Expats World in Stavanger: https://www.facebook.com/groups/expatsclubstavanger/
• Stavanger Expat guide: https://www.internations.org/stavanger-expats/guide
• Expat.com – Living in Stavanger: https://www.expat.com/en/destination/europe/norway/stavanger/
• Expat Guide to Living in Stavanger: https://www.expatexchange.com/Norway/city/85/4197/Expat-Guide-to-Living-in-stavanger
• Voluntary work - Stavanger municipality
• Life in Norway
• A Frog in the Fjord

Here is a list of the most important public offices in Norway:

• The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration
• The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration
• The National Registry
• The Norwegian Social Insurance
• Service Centre for Foreign Workers
• The Norwegian Tax Administration
• Toll costums

Municipalities and County

• Stavanger Municipality
• Sandnes Municipality
• Sola Municipality
• Randaberg Municipality
• Rogaland County Council

Once you have your Norwegian National Identity Number or D-number, you can open a Norwegian bank account.

Norwegian banks requires usually the customers to sign up online first, so the bank can check if you are eligible to open a bank account.

Some of the banks internet pages are in Norwegian. Please do not hesitate to contact the bank directly since the employees speaks english.

Recommended banks:

• Sparebank 1 - SR Bank, ph +47 02002, Domkirkeplassen 1, Stavanger, branch banks in Stavanger
• DNB, ph +47 04800, Haakon VII gate 9, Stavanger. Several branch banks in Stavanger
• Nordea, ph + 47 23 20 60 01, Olav V gate, Stavanger
• Sparebanken Vest, ph + 47 05555, Haakon VII gate 7, Stavanger

To open a bank account you can click on the relevant link for the bank of choice and register online. Once that is done, the bank will inform you once they have processed your online application.

Please note:
The process of opening a bank account can be anywhere from 5 days to 6 weeks. This is due to strict laws against money laundering. The law against money laundering requires most banks to conduct risk-based customer control and ongoing follow-up of customer relations.

Bring the following documents to the bank to complete the process:

• Passport
• Residence card
• Work contract
• Norwegian personal number; the letter with your personal number from the National Registry

Useful links

• Euraxess Norway: banking
• New in Norway: bank services

When you have a job, you need a tax deduction card or an exemption card. Be aware of the the tax information is personal. The Norwegian Tax Administration will send your tax registration to the employer electronically. If you are not registed, the employer will deduct 50 % tax.

Here you find information from The Norwegian Tax Administration regarding your tax.

The next year, you’ll receive your tax return pre-filled with information about how much tax you should have paid. You have to check if the amounts are correct. When you have submitted your tax return, you’ll receive a tax assessment notice. This will tell you whether you are due a tax refund or if you have to pay more tax.

Tax assistance

If you need assistance with your tax return beyond the tax seminar, contact the Tax Administration.

Useful information

Euraxess Norway: Taxation and salaries

EU/EEA

Driving licences from EEA/EU countries are valid in Norway.

Non EU/EEA

Driving licences from countries outside the EEA/EU area may only be used for 12 months. If you wish to settle in Norway, you must exchange your driving licence for a Norwegian driving licence within 12 months.

Exchanging driving lincences

Please contact the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) 

Norway uses road toll payment as a means of financing the building of bridges, tunnels, and roads. 27 % of road construction comes from toll road revenues.

Useful information

• Visitors' payment AutoPASS 

Busses

The following busses goes to and from campus Ullandhaug: 6, 7, X60, X90, X76 and E90.

You will find information regarding the routes on the webpages to Kolumbus.

Airport bus shuttle

The bus goes directly from the Stavanger Airport Sola to campus Ullandhaug. You can order your ticket.

Taxi

• Stavanger taxi ph.: +47 51 90 90 90
• Sandnes taxi ph.: +47 51 66 16 00

Our language courses aim to provide skills in speaking, reading and writing Norwegian. They also give an introduction to Norwegian culture. The teaching methods are communicative, and students will be challenged to use the language actively. The syllabus follows the standardized objectives of the European Framework of language, and the curricula is in accordance the Regulations concerning the curriculum for Norwegian Language and social studies for adult immigrants, Ministry of Education and Research.

Our language courses are non-credit courses. An attendance of 85 % is required for completed course. A certificate is provided after the course is completed.

External Norwegian courses with course fee must be approved by the Head of the Department / lead of the Unit, within start up.

Some online courses - free of charge:

• Berlitz Language Centre 
• Folkeuniversitetet 
• Infonorwegian
• Futurelearn
• Norwegian on the web
• Online exercises - Stein på stein
• Online exercises - På vei

In Norway, public health services are generally considered to be well organized and meet top professional standards.

The Norwegian health care system is founded on the principles of universal access, decentralisation and free choice of provider. All residents are covered by the National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden, NIS), managed by the Norwegian Health Economics Administration (Helseøkonomiforvaltningen, HELFO). 

​Stay in Norway more than 6 months

If your stay in Norway exceeds six months and thus requires that you report moving to Norway, a regular General Practitioner (GP) (“fastlege”) will be appointed to you automatically once your Personal Number has been generated.

Everyone who is registered in the National Registry as resident in a Norwegian municipality is entitled to have a General Practitioner ("fastlege").

You will receive a letter from HELFO (Norwegian Health Economics Administration) informing you of who your General Practitioner is. If you have not received the letter within 2 weeks after you have received your Personal Number, the most efficient way to rectify this is by calling the GP service (Fastlegetelefonen) on 800 43 573. You may change your GP up to two times a year.  

A small user fee will be charged up to a certain amout each year.must Once you have paid a certain amount inn users fee, you are entitled to receive a healthcare exemption card (Frikort).

Stay in Norway less than 6 months

If you need medical treatment, and do not have a Norwegian Identity Number, please contact Stavanger Emergency Medical Centre  (Legevakten), visiting address: Armauer Hansens vei 30  (next to Stavanger University Hospital). Phone: +47 51 51 02 02.

Stavanger emergency medical Centre (Legevakten) will advise you on which doctor to contact. Citizens from an EU/EEA country, or Switzerland, have obtained certain healthcare rights during a temporary stay in Norway. If you are an EU citizen, it is advisable that you bring your Eurpoean Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you.

When visiting a doctor/the emergency clinic please bring:

• Your passport
• The stamped UDI letter you received at the Immigration Police OR your residence card
• The letter confirming your ID number (temporary or permanent ID Number)

Hospital treatment

You ned to be referred by your General Practicer before you can receive medical care from the specialist health services.

Usually it is the regular GP who make an appointment with the hospital (if it is not an emergency).

IF EMERGENCY, CALL 113

The Norwegian Public Dental Care Service provides free services for children up to the age of 18. Dental care for adults is mainly private.

The Public Dental Health in Rogaland 

The prioritised groups

• children and adolescents from birth to the year in which they turn 18
• mentally handicapped living in, or outside institutions
• groups of elderly, chronically ill and disabled people in institutions, or in home care
• adolescents turning 19 or 20 years in the year of treatment
• other groups that the county has decided to prioritize. 

Clinics in Stavanger and Rogaland County.

When you have registered your move to Norway you will be notified by mail from Stavanger Municipality / International Vaccination Office and Infection Control Office that you need to take compulsory tuberculosis screening or/and an X-ray examination.

Citizens of certain countries must have a mandatory tuberculosis check when they arrive in Norway. The control includes a conversation with the nurse and an x-ray of your lungs. TBC-screening is free in Norway.

International Vaccination Office and Infection Control Office in Stavanger is responsible for vaccinations, health advice prior to travelling, issue of malaria prescriptions, hygiene and infection control advice, health information, tuberdulosis examinations and vaccinations.

The International vaccination office and infection control office (Stavanger municipality)

• Address: Torgveien 15c, 3rd floor (Hillevåg, close to Kilden shopping mall)
• Phone: 51913333
• Email: vaksinasjonskontoret@stavanger.kommune.no
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday; 08:00 - 15:00

Information about tuberculosis and treatment from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Please contact EMC, emc@uis.no if any questions.

The Norwegian daycare and school system:

• Daycare (barnehage ages 1 to 5. This is a play-based programme where the focus is on social skills and fun learning). The fee is based on income.
• Elementary school (Barneskole, ages 6–13). No tuition fee.
• Lower secondary school (Ungdomsskole, ages 13–16). No tuition fee.
• Upper secondary school (Videregående skole, ages 16–19). No tuition fee.

The Barneskole and Ungdomsskole levels are compulsory, and are commonly referred to as Grunnskole (literally translates to "'base-school").

Elementary and lower secondary school are mandatory for all children aged 6–16.

Students often have to change school when they enter lower secondary school and almost always have to change school when they enter upper secondary school, as many schools only offer one of the levels.

Open Kindergartens

Norway also has so called “Open Kindergartens” – these are open for everyone and you do not have to apply for them. Often parents do have to stay there while their kids play but that’s also a good way to meet new people.

Anyone formally employed by a Norwegian employer automatically becomes a member of the Norwegian National Health Scheme as of the first day of work.

Note that public health services in Norway are generally considered to be well organized and meet top professional standards. 80% of the population rely wholly on these services and do not have a private medical insurance beyond travel insurance.