Exit Tax in Norway – what to know before moving
Are you planning to leave Norway permanently? If you have shares or stakes whose value has significantly increased, you need to check if you will be subject to Exit Tax (utflyttingsskatt) before leaving. This is a tax on 'paper' profits, calculated at the moment you lose your Norwegian tax residency. The state assumes you would sell your investments the day before moving out and demands tax on the hypothetical income.
Moving out of Norway
Artykuł powstał przy współpracy z Advokatfirma Nierzwicki & Bluszko AS
Who is subject to Exit Tax?
- Tax residents who are moving out of Norway permanently (generally longer than six months a year).
- Holders of shares, stakes, or fund units with unrealized gains exceeding:
- 500,000 NOK – until December 31, 2024,
- 3,000,000 NOK – from January 1, 2025.
If the total gain is below the threshold, there is no tax. Exit Tax does not include real estate, cars, artworks, or cryptocurrencies.
How much is the tax?
The regular Norwegian capital gains tax rate applies – currently 37.84 %. Example: you bought shares for 1,000,000 NOK, now worth 1,800,000 NOK. The gain is 800,000 NOK. Leaving in 2024 means a tax of about 303,000 NOK (37.84 % × 800,000). After the threshold change in 2025, the same gain will not exceed the 3 million limit, so you will not pay tax.
When and how to pay?
You have three options:
If you return to Norway and become a resident again within 12 years, the calculated tax will be canceled.
- Immediately – the entire amount at once.
- Installments over 12 years – interest-free if you apply and the office approves it.
- Deferral until sale – available without securities when moving to an EU/EEA country (e.g., Poland). Outside the EEA, the tax office may require asset security.
If you return to Norway and become a resident again within 12 years, the calculated tax will be canceled.
What about real estate?
Houses and apartments are not included in the Exit Tax calculation. If you sell a Norwegian home while still a resident, you will pay the regular tax of 22 % on the gain – unless you use the full exemption (at least 12 months of ownership and residence within the last 24 months). Sales after moving out are still settled in Norway under the same rules; Exit Tax does not apply here.
What to remember before leaving?
Before moving:
- calculate the total unrealized gain from shares and stakes,
- check if you exceed the 500,000 NOK threshold (3,000,000 NOK from 2025),
- consider selling part of your investments before leaving,
- decide if you prefer tax deferral (EU/EEA countries),
- submit the final tax return in Norway for the year of departure.
Summary
Exit Tax applies only to large, unrealized gains on securities. It does not include real estate or other tangible assets. Two key factors are the loss of residency and exceeding the gain value threshold. Carefully consider the timing of your departure and portfolio structure to avoid unnecessary costs or defer them.
Have questions? Contact us – we will help calculate the obligation and choose the best option.
Advokatfirma Nierzwicki & Bluszko AS
E-mail: post@nb-advokat.no
Phone: +47 940 01 000
WWW: https://nb-advokat.no/
Have questions? Contact us – we will help calculate the obligation and choose the best option.
Advokatfirma Nierzwicki & Bluszko AS
E-mail: post@nb-advokat.no
Phone: +47 940 01 000
WWW: https://nb-advokat.no/
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