Many foreigners moving to Norway or looking for a new flat soon notice the hidden challenges in the rental market.
While some cities might technically be more accessible than others, many within the international community report that finding a place to live is incredibly tough.
First of all, high rental prices place an immediate strain on personal finances. But leaving market values aside, foreigners can face systematic barriers including navigating the market in English, having few local references, or even just having a non-Scandinavian name, something that can make things much harder, especially when some landlords are biased against certain nationalities.
When The Local asked readers if they had faced discrimination while looking for a flat, many people on social media replied with comments like: "Of course", "it's common", and "It is the story that never ends."
The problem is so widespread that some international residents resort to sarcasm online to cope with it. One person commented: "Ridiculous question. I have never seen any form of 'discrimination' in Norway."
However, behind the jokes lies a frustrating reality.
One anonymous survey respondent said, "Yes, again and again. If not demonstrate a perfect square Norwegian life pattern, then the door shuts even before getting an appointment for viewing."
Another person said: "I've been there too, and it's so frustrating to deal with discrimination while house hunting."
The language barrier
For many immigrants, exclusion starts long before they ever set foot inside a property.
Several respondents said that sending an application in English or using a foreign name is often an immediate trigger for landlords to cease communication entirely.
One reader described a common "magic trick" required to get a response on listing sites like Finn.no: "Try to find an apartment on Finn while contacting landlords in English... suddenly, nobody replies. My partner sends the exact same message in Norwegian and... magic! A viewing gets scheduled!"
An anonymous resident living in Grünerløkka, Oslo, shared a similar experience, "A few times I heard, straight up, 'We don't rent to people like you.' (Non-EU is what I've been told they meant). I've also sent messages in English, with links to our LinkedIn profiles, so they could see we are employed. No response. Friends send messages in Norwegian and boom—viewing scheduled."
Even people with high incomes can be shut out of the market due to their language or cultural background.
"I couldn't even get an apartment viewing, despite having a permanent job contract for over a million kroner. A landlord told me they only rented to the 'type of person' who speaks Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish." said Miriam, 46, living in Oslo.
In the worst cases, not knowing the language or Norwegian rental laws leaves foreigners vulnerable to being taken advantage of, both when looking for a flat and even after moving in.
An anonymous respondent said, "We got cheated by a landlord in Trondheim by paying combined electricity bills for 2 years. We don't know the local Norwegian to speak and read . He took it as advantage and took one electricity plan for both the houses. By the time we understand and requested him to check, he asked us to vacate the house. We’re new and we don’t know the law."
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Racial profiling and nationality biases
The survey also showed that certain nationalities and ethnic groups face more prejudice than others.
"One landowner mentioned he did not had a good experience with a previous Indian tenant, as if we are all the same. In another case, a landlord was unhappy with the smell of Indian cooking. I also didn't get replies for many of my messages even though I applied immediately," said Pavan, 33, from India living in Oslo.
A Facebook user also shared a similar experience: "My husband is Norwegian, but when the owner of the house found out that I am Asian, they suddenly changed their mind."
Others said being actively pushed away from city centres and desirable locations, or being subjected to sudden "ghosting" by landlords once they learn their nationality.
"We requested a flat viewing in Kristiansand, and the landlord told us to search a house outside the city. The flat was in the city centre, and he meant that it was only for locals, even though I could afford it. I found very few good people as well in Norway. But, discrimination and racism is everywhere," said an anonymous respondent.
"I called a landlady, we agreed on a viewing. She did not come for the viewing, stopped answering the phone and after the 5th call she licked up and said that the apartament has already been rented. Around 1 hour after that in the add was written that more viewings will occur in the following days," said Plamen Petrov, 34, Bulgaria, currently living in Bergen.
For families with children, the psychological toll of continuous rejection can be heavy. Ajay, who has been searching for a home for his family, shared his frustration. "I have been searching for a three-bedroom house / apartment for three months, but no owner will come forward to rent to us. I am ready to pay the rent and the deposit, but no one accepts us. I never expected this kind of attitude in my life," said Ajay.
The bureaucratic catch
Beyond personal biases, Norway’s digitalised society can create structural barriers for new arrivals.
As Norwegian BankID and Vipps accounts are tools used in Norway on a daily basis (but take a considerable amount of time to obtain), not having them can create a huge barrier, as many landlords will not rent to anyone without them.
"A lack of BankID or a Norwegian bank will immediately disqualify you. I've had to prove paychecks, employment, and LinkedIn profiles to private citizens—something my Norwegian friends have never had to do. Not having Vipps will also likely signal that you are 'not trustworthy.' Talking with my brown, Black, and queer friends, their situation is much worse. I try to come off as straight and 'Norway-loving' as possible," said a resident living in the capital.
This sentiment is shared by highly skilled workers who arrive in the country with valid contracts but zero local digital footprint.
"Rentals are usually advertised and taken a few months before they are available. So when a new arrival looks for a place to rent, she/he can only find accommodation for two-three months later, but how would s/he manage these months without a place and a BankID? Huge problem for highly skilled workers," L. T., living in Kristiansand said.
Substandard housing and landlord intimidation
Because finding a regular apartment is difficult, many immigrants are forced to settle or compromise, moving into unregulated, substandard basements where they become vulnerable to being exploited.
"There is a strange social expectation to describe (in a justifying manner) one's life, one's activities, one's earnings. There are few bona fide apartment buildings for persons of middle or low income forcing persons to look at in-law basement apartments. These apartments often come with structural problems but the laws and regulations written in the owner's favour and so the owners are lazy and intimidate tenants - the fear of being kicked out over having made a reasonable request for repairs," said another frustrated anonymous respondent.
Is this just how the market works?
Several people on social media said that finding a flat is hard for locals too. "Funny how people believe that just because you come from somewhere else …. it never happens to Norwegian people, " said a Facebook user.
Some returning citizens said that the system can isolate anyone who has been out of the country. "As a Norwegian returning to Norway after long time abroad, you find yourself not in the 'club' so much anymore. Only after full five years - like a foreigner - can you obtain full access to benefits and other things."
Another person highlighted a debate that comes up very often within the international community.
"I’ve noticed that unfortunately is us the foreigners who usually damage properties (not always but many times ) so I kinda understand. But yes there is discrimination in Norway but I don’t think it’s just for foreigner folks from my experience."
To end on a positive note, some international residents shared encouraging experiences, proving that in Norway, inclusive and fair landlords do exist.
"We never really felt any discrimination. All of our past landlords have been very nice and we still maintain a great relationship with them," said a reader on Facebook.
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