At one time, many posts were written about the life of Russians in different countries Oh. Now this topic flashes less often, or maybe it’s simply fading away, but Norway has somehow been bypassed. Here, so to speak, is my 2 cents.

I have lived in Norway for 6 years, 4 of which in Bergen, now in a small town near Stavanger. After 7 years you can apply for Norwegian citizenship, but then you will have to give up Russian, and I don’t want to. I’ll remain Russian for now, since a Norwegian residence permit is quite enough for me. My occupation is: research scientist, so all the facts will, of course, be from my point of view.

1. Norway is a small country with a population of 5 million. It is considered one of the best, if not the best, in the world in terms of living standards. Who knows what this standard of living is considered to be, but living here is quite comfortable.

2. I would agree that the standard of living here is the highest, if not for the climate. He's disgusting. Almost all the time here on the west coast there is one season - autumn. In summer it is cool, on average 15 degrees, in winter it is not cold, about 5. Of course, there are frosts, but not lower than -15. It is rainy. In Oslo the climate is similar to St. Petersburg - more contrasting. In the mountains and in the north it is cold both in summer and winter. There were even frosts there in July of this year.

3. In Norway live... Norwegians. They are very friendly to foreigners, but they won’t let you get close. Such a character - closed, Nordic.

4. There are many foreigners in Norway because there are not enough workers. Even after the crisis. There are all sorts of Arabs there, but they are all from different countries, so their ethnic groups are not as visible as in central Europe. There are a lot of Poles, but they are their own kind, Caucasians.

5. There is a wary attitude towards Muslims, they are not liked, but they carefully hide it. The attitude towards the Slavs is much more friendly.

6. It is very rare for Norwegians to treat foreigners poorly or disdainfully. Vice versa. When you try to speak broken Norwegian, they praise and encourage you. Even children try to speak more simply and clearly if they understand that they are dealing with a foreigner.

7. Officially, there are two languages ​​in Norway: Bokmål and Nynorsk. Bokmål is a variant of Danish adopted during the Danish dependency, while Nynorsk is an artificial language created from local dialects. In fact, everyone speaks in their own dialect, sometimes completely incomprehensible.

8. Perhaps due to the abundance of dialects, Norwegians speak English well. Tourists who know English find it very comfortable here.

9. The average salary is 5,000 euros, of which about a third is eaten up by taxes.

10. Taxes are high and progressive. If an individual’s income exceeds 10,000 euros, then he will have to pay 55% of taxes. The maximum tax for a legal entity is 80%. Depardieu will not go to Norway :)

11. The Tax Directorate knows everything about everyone. Taxes are taken from any luxury: a cool car, a villa, a yacht. Officials can own anything, they can transfer the property even to their cousin’s wife, but they still have to pay tax.

12. Official working day - 7.5 hours. Anything above the norm is paid at a completely different rate. Labor Code highly respected.

13. In Norway, it’s not a pity to pay so much taxes, since they come back in the form of medicine, education, and roads. Norwegians sometimes timidly complain that for that kind of money they could have gotten a little better medicine, education and roads, but they just haven’t been to Russia :)

14. A family doctor (general practitioner) costs a little money, a dentist is expensive, everything else (specialists, hospital) is free! At the same time, the attitude of the doctors is excellent, there is no talk of gifts or rewards! The quality is up to par.

15. There is no corruption in Norway, at least at the level of the average person. I don’t know what’s higher there. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to bribe a doctor or a policeman. For what?

16. This is the country of victorious socialism. There is almost no stratification here, there are no rich and poor, only middle class. Any Norwegian family (if both spouses work) has the opportunity to have a house, a car, and two children. Many people have a small yacht or boat. Or a cottage somewhere in the mountains or near a fjord.

17. By retirement (67 years old), when the children are already independent, you can buy yourself an apartment in Spain and go there when the constant autumn is completely boring.

18. After reaching adulthood (18 years), young homo sapiens has every opportunity to live independently. If a child wants to study, the state allocates a special loan, on which one can live quite tolerably for the entire period of study.

19. In Norway, you can be proud of any profession, since they are all decently paid and in demand. The secretary enthusiastically tells how her son is studying at a vocational school to become a tractor driver. Well, not everyone can be an effective manager; someone has to work. Although the oil industry is making its own adjustments.

20. Since 2009, the country has fully recognized same-sex marriage. Although I don’t see crowds of gays, there are no gay pride parades. Norwegians treat deviant individuals with obvious coolness.

21. Unlike central Europe, the family institution is very developed in Norway. The state encourages this by reducing taxes and paying child benefits.

22. Many Norwegians are religious, but they rarely talk about it. You can work with a colleague for a year and then find out that he sings in a church choir.

23. The number of children in a family is a sign of prosperity here. A person with a family of three children is considered successful and rich. Religion also encourages this. Most people don't care about your car.

24. Contrary to a common misconception in Russia, in Norway you cannot live on child benefit, since it is only 120 euros.

25. I don’t know how you can live on unemployment benefits. I don’t have such friends, I have no one to ask.

26. The Norwegian currency is the krone, but I wrote all prices in euros to make it clearer.

For several years now, life in northern Norway has been recognized by experts as the most comfortable compared to other countries in the world. IN last years The kingdom is often given the status of the state with the highest standard of living.

Speaking about the political and economic situation, we can say that the government managed to build the socialism that the Soviet Union only dreamed of. There are neither very rich people nor beggars here. The majority of the population is middle class. It is believed that what more faces with an average level of income, the more prosperous the country is. There is cheap medicine, preferential loans for education for students, and social support for the population is developed.

However, Norwegian socialism cannot be called a paradise for everyone. Such a system has its pros and cons. Private entrepreneurs have a hard time, since pensions and benefits are paid at the expense of high taxes.

Another source of money for the state treasury is the extraction of minerals: oil and gas. Along with the Russian Federation, the kingdom is the largest supplier natural gas to the European Union, with about 95% coming through pipelines and only 5% in liquefied form. The North Sea contains the largest oil fields.

The government of the kingdom did a very wise thing: back in 1963, a law was passed according to which absolutely all underwater resources are the property of the state. Thus, only state organizations have the right to receive income from mining on the continental shelf. Several onshore fields are being developed by large international companies. However, the state seeks to maintain a monopoly there too, imposing a triple tax on their profits. Up to 75% of the amount that a private company manages to earn in the field of oil production still returns to the state treasury.

Another secret is effective resource management. It would be quite possible for Russians to live in an equally prosperous power, given the reserves of oil and gas. However, in Russia the lion's share of profits ends up in the pockets of officials, while there is no corruption in this kingdom.

When prices per barrel reached $80-$100, a fund was established for future generations. Currently, it is possible to save up to 20 billion US dollars per year annually. Obviously, they have not heard about the budget deficit here. In addition, the cost of production is quite low due to advanced technologies.

Apart from the material advantages that make moving to this Scandinavian region so attractive, it is simply very beautiful nature: unique fjords are rocks that rise straight out of the water, the sea is bright blue thanks to a special chemical composition. Despite the developed industry, the authorities pay attention to the environment, so plants and factories do not harm the health of citizens.

Tax system

Since the answer to the question why Norway has the most high level life lies in taxes, special attention should be paid to this. The tax code states that the more a person earns, the more he must pay back to the state treasury. This is how a balance is achieved between the number of rich and poor people: those who earn decently are forced to share with their less fortunate fellow citizens.

In addition, the duty will have to be paid to the owners of items that can be regarded as luxury: cars, real estate, yachts, antiques, and so on. When earning up to 250 thousand crowns a year, a Norwegian contributes 36% to the budget, that is, a third of his income. If annual salary exceeds this number, taxes increase to 50%.

When a foreigner comes to the country intending to find a job, he must register with the tax service within two weeks and receive an identification number. There are several videos on the Internet in Russian in which migrants talk about their own experiences with the tax office.

average salary

Average salary statistics in Norway according to Statistics Norway, NOK per month

Teachers earn about 300,000 - 350,000, and doctors earn the same. Wages for workers are considered to be the highest when compared to other countries, but managers and managers receive less than elsewhere. Thus, there are no prestigious or non-prestigious professions here. Through the eyes of Russians, the typical situation looks strange when mothers are proud of their sons who have entered a vocational school to major in mechanics, electricians or machinists. Any work is valued here.

Overtime is paid at a special rate; overtime is considered to be any activity that lasts longer than 7.5 hours a day.

Social programs and benefits from the state

Special preferential loan terms are provided for those who need housing, and students subsequently repay government student loans with very little interest.

Unemployment benefits in Norway are only paid when the applicant meets the following requirements:

1. Before he was fired, the unemployed man worked at the enterprise for at least 2 months (8 weeks).
2. The foreigner was in the country legally and worked under a contract.
3. The migrant was able to find a job within three months after moving.
4. Students are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits, even if they were previously employed.
5. The most important requirement is that the applicant should not be a “parasite”. Required condition- registration at the employment center, visiting this institution every two weeks, actively searching for a new job (interviews, advanced training courses, and so on).

The amount of money an unemployed person receives depends primarily on his level of income in his previous position. The period during which assistance is paid ranges from 52 to 104 weeks.

In addition, unlike the European Union, the institution of family and fertility are supported here. Although several years ago the legislature approved the right of gays to same-sex marriage, families here are predominantly traditional. It is characteristic that many are not limited to one child; usually one parent has two or three children. For such families, taxes are reduced; children and their mothers and fathers can enjoy a variety of benefits. The maternity benefit in terms of European currency is about 120 euros, but this amount is not enough for a comfortable existence. The second parent must work.

Prices for food, clothing, transport

Food is expensive, local residents try to save on it, not to mention eating in restaurants, which the average citizen can hardly afford. A large pizza in a pizzeria costs about 250 CZK, and a hamburger in a restaurant chain fast food- 80-120. Grocery prices in Norway in 2019 look approximately like this (numbers are in kroner):

• potato, bakery products, cereals - from 5 to 9;
• vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper- up to 50 in winter;
• chicken - 40;
• fish products: trout, shrimp - 30-40;
• sunflower oil - 40.

Prices for everyday goods - clothing, household chemicals, office supplies and other small items - do not exceed the figures familiar to Russians. For unknown reasons, children's clothing is cheaper. But transport is expensive. This probably has to do with how much gas costs. Despite the fact that this country does not need to purchase raw materials for fuel from abroad, the cost of 1 liter is even higher than that of the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Belgium, Portugal, which import oil. 1 liter of gasoline costs 3 times more than in Russian Federation.

If a Norwegian needs to get to a neighboring city, a bus trip will cost 50-60 kroner. Buying a car will not help you save money because the car will be taxed. If you purchase your own transport abroad, you will still have to fork out money when crossing the border by paying a fee. Public transport is also expensive, so life in Norway is impossible without bicycles in summer and skis or sleds in winter.

Medical care and education

Only a foreigner who has spent at least 1 year in the kingdom can apply for a preferential medical program. In addition, such a person must pay a certain amount monthly to the insurance company. Only minors and pregnant women can receive free treatment. Everyone else can get free medical care within the amount provided by the insurance program, if costs exceed, you will have to pay extra from your own pocket.

Every Norwegian has the right to choose a doctor of his own choosing. The downside is the quality of treatment for mental illness. Due to the northern climate, living in Norway is accompanied by frequent depression, especially among visitors. However, treatment for depression is not covered by insurance; only treatment for severe depression is provided on preferential terms. mental disorders. These include autism, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy. Dental procedures will also have to be paid out of pocket.

Norwegian education, both school and university, is considered significantly weaker than the European average. But this does not prevent residents of the northern state from enjoying life and well-being.

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In the “Moved” section, we publish stories about how and why young people leave to live in other countries. Last year, art director and stand-up comedian Natasha Alekseevna started the process of moving to Norway, but she had already gained impressions and experience, which she shared with 34travel. How to get housing and work in Norway and experience the signature Norwegian tranquility - read below.

There is a lot of physical work there for which emigrants are hired. But I needed agency experience. If you just send a cv, they may not respond. You have to come with a CV, knock on the door, and say “I want to work for you.” My first month in Norway began with the fact that I arrived and the very next day I went to a radio interview. I came to this interview by chance - the University of Oslo called out that they needed radio presenters with English language. But my English was not enough for them.

You drink coffee with every employer, he asks you questions - why are you, how are you, you probably feel so bad in Belarus. What do you think, why are you asking me these questions? And throughout the first month, I actually attended several interviews a day. They don’t want to hire you because you are not familiar with the Norwegian advertising industry, you don’t know exactly how it works there. But at the same time they offer unpaid internships. If they tell you that they are keeping your CV in the database, then they do so, and in a couple of months they may call you for some vacancy or internship. At the same time, it’s possible to get a job without knowing Norwegian.

If you are not afraid of menial work, or you just need money while you are looking for a normal job in your field, then there is a lot of work. Wash houses, babysit, unload wagons, cut down forests. There is plenty of such work for emigrants, and the Norwegians are happy to hire Slavs for it, because they consider them more responsible. The Norwegians themselves work like brakes, everyone is relaxed - why bother if they already get normal money.

If people are willing to take on menial work, then they can earn fairly normal money. And, in principle, cleaning houses, as I did, is a dust-free job. Because Norwegians themselves are clean. If you are hired to clean a house once or twice a week, then they will clean it themselves minimally first, you will come and you will clean it even better, and you will get your € 60 for two or three hours of work. And the coolest thing is the attitude towards you. You come to clean, they go to work, and leave you breakfast - coffee, pie. Then they will call many more times, ask how you are doing, wish you Christmas and New Year, they will leave gifts. It's like you're talking to friends.

“If you are hired to clean a house once or twice a week, then they will first clean it themselves minimally, you will come and you will clean it even better.”

They are very interested in visitors from Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Belarus. They need labor. The Norwegians themselves will not go to work for hard physical work, moreover, few of them will work for some guy. They work for themselves, many have their own small businesses. Even Norwegian students do not take such jobs. Therefore, they are interested in labor. At the same time, they have a very normal attitude. They receive you very friendly, they are interested in talking with a person from another country and learning about your experience.

As for earnings in all sorts of advertising agencies, I was shocked. Because the average salary in Lithuania in such a place is around € 600 (if you are lucky and get into a top agency). In Norway, even if you have little experience and do not speak the language at the best level, the average salary after taxes is € 2000.

Hiring isn't as difficult as it might seem. At least with the type of documents like mine. I now have a Lithuanian residence permit, not a student one, which is important, and I can come to work there with these documents. If I am accepted, then I need to get an ID number in Norway, this is done through the UDI and Politi services. With this ID number, without which you cannot take a single step legally, you get a job, you sign a contract and work in peace. Of course, you will have to tinker a little with the design, but overall the procedure is quick.

But an ID number is required in Norway. If you have a student visa (I have a friend who lives there), then you can only work part-time, in principle, this is a common story. In Norway the rules are as follows: first you get a work visa, you work for 3 years and you can apply for permanent view for residence, and after another 4 years - for citizenship. But if you have a permanent residence permit in Lithuania (or another EU country), then you have the right to live in Norway for 90 days without work or find a job with 70% employment and receive a permanent residence permit in Norway.

“In Oslo you meet a lot of different expats and few Norwegians themselves.”

The most expensive thing in Norway is housing, especially in Oslo. But if this is an area where only emigrants live, then at Norwegian prices it will be more or less normal. Rent a room in a three-room apartment with a good renovation will cost € 600-750. I probably wouldn’t be able to live in Oslo, because even though it’s small, it’s too noisy and very expensive. It’s much cooler to live in Norway, which is located in the suburbs. Because Oslo is the same Norway as Moscow is Russia. When you live in the suburbs, you see how they live, you can communicate with them. In Oslo you meet a lot of different expats and few Norwegians themselves. In connection with all sorts of political things, they are gradually moving away.

Utilities are also high, about €100-200 for everything. A deposit is usually required for three months. In Norway, in order to save time, everyone connects to their Internet banking and pays through it. There is one trick for people like me who come and don’t make a decision right away. You can take individual items at the University of Oslo, it is called "enkeltemne". It’s very easy to take, they are always there. You take 10 points and become a student. This gives the right to housing. The main thing is to do this as early as possible, two to three months before the start of school (before the end of August).

In general, Norwegians are very, very frugal people; they do not spend money on what they don’t need or on what is impractical. They are simple and invest in valuable things. Of course, everyone's values ​​are different. But what I noticed among the Norwegians and what I really love (as one of the most important things in life) is comfort and home. They are ready and will invest a lot in comfort and home.

Connect to the Internet, open a bank account, see a doctor - if you have an ID, go ahead. You come to the bank and calmly make an account, connect to the Internet at Telia, visit the doctor for a fee, of course, in any clinic according to your registration. But Norwegians don't get sick. Elderly people do not have the cult of the hospital and hanging around there every morning, as in Belarus or Lithuania. Because in Norway people even run at 70 - I know, such old men overtook me when I ran in the morning.

It’s better to move around on foot - firstly, you’ll save money, secondly, it’s for your health, and thirdly, Oslo, for example, is very small, you can get around it on foot. Same story in Drammen. In Oslo, people love bikes and the subway. You only need a car if you work outside the city, it’s difficult to park and it’s expensive to pay for crossing zones. To save time you need a bicycle. There are no problems at all with a city bike. It's cool and convenient. Other transport in Oslo costs about € 10 per trip, a pass costs about € 70 if you are not a student. If you go from Oslo to Drammen, the ticket will cost about € 20. Therefore, a bicycle on your own!

“In general, Norwegians are very, very frugal people; they do not spend money on what they don’t need or on what is impractical.”

There, suckers like me gather in libraries and talk to each other two or three times a week. Conversation club. It’s easier for me to perceive language by ear, all I did was walk and listen to people, turn on the TV. For those who know English, Norwegian is easy to learn. Very similar in terms of formation of tenses and all that. You learn this basics in a week, and then it’s a matter of practice, you just know what you should say, order. If you communicate, it’s easy to learn. The language is very funny and interesting.

Just going out to drink coffee will cost the same as, for example, in Lithuania - € 3, no more. They have coffee shops or just coffee machine shops, with a bunch of names of coffee drinks, and you can just stand there and try them. If you came just as a tourist, and you have a budget of € 50 for three days, then you will not die of hunger there.

If you go to chain stores like Rema 1000, you will pay €2-3 more for vegetables and fruits than in stores usually opened by Arab emigrants. They bring products from their country, from Belarus, condensed milk, for example. Therefore, vegetables and fruits in such non-chain stores are much cheaper and of better quality, because they are brought from warm countries.

“Norwegians seem to stick to healthy image life, but they love everything overcooked, but they make this overcooked food at home.”

As for other products, they have a monopoly on everything. There is one manufacturer that makes all dairy products. On the one hand, this is, of course, good, because it is the development of the domestic market, but on the other hand, there is not enough variety, my family does not have enough “our own products.” And for me, for example, this is ideal, because everything they have there is “eco”, gluten-free, super-healthy. You won’t see a bunch of meat or salted or over-salted sausages in the store - it simply doesn’t exist. Much more shelves with cereals, muesli, beans. Norwegians seem to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, but they like everything overcooked, but they make this overcooked food at home.

The shops there look like a warehouse. People just buy and leave. It’s the same with mid-level cafes and restaurants - everything is simple in them, no atmosphere. I drank coffee, ate and left. They miss the comfort and our kitchen. They love shish kebab shops, Belarusian and Ukrainian cuisine. Everyone I asked said that when they come to our countries, the first thing they do is eat. Therefore, this could be a gold mine for anyone who would like to do something similar there.

“Every Friday you can fill your evening with such cultural parties, although in fact everyone goes there not because of art, but to socialize and chat”

I'm used to hanging out, going to techno parties, rap parties. There is no such thing there. They have a different leisure culture. For them, rest means going to a neighboring city, climbing mountains, walking around. They finish in the summer working week on Thursday. They go to the fjords on their boats and are gone all weekend.
There is one club, “Rockefeller,” where they bring great artists and create techno parties. But to get there, you either need to know someone or pay €20-30 for entry. And at the same time be in their subject, go through face control and dress code. And this is a little difficult, because you come from another country and in any case are different from the Norwegians.

But there is one salvation for those who want to party on Friday. The theme of art is rapidly developing there, and exhibitions of contemporary artists are held. If you monitor this, then you can go there, communicate, they give you a drink there, you get to know everyone, because they all move in a crowd from party to party. And every Friday you can fill your evening with such cultural parties, although in fact everyone goes there not because of art, but to socialize and chat. By the way, in Oslo, if you are a beginning artist and want to make an exhibition or installation, you are welcome. There are certain institutions that you can write to and they will give you accommodation.

Bars are open until 3, after which they cannot serve drinks according to the license. Everyone mostly drinks at home and comes to the club just to dance. There are no wild dances here. They come, sit at the table, talk, and that’s all their hangouts.

Norwegians will always help you, in any situation. I had a fight with my parents and decided that I would leave. I packed my suitcase and went to the airport. And it’s 100 kilometers from Oslo. I think I'll hitchhike. While walking to the highway, they approached me a hundred times and offered to help me and bring my suitcase. In the end, they took me to the airport and sat there with me.

I have seen similar cases many times. In the store, my grandmother felt bad, she twisted her ankle and fell. All the sellers ran to her, gave her water, called an ambulance, which arrived no more than 5 minutes later. Even in Lithuania, people often pass by.

They always smile at you, they always say hello to you, they can talk to you in the store. You think it’s cool how friendly they are. But over time it becomes annoying because they are always smiling and you can’t understand what their actual emotion is. Either they are angry with you, or they didn’t like you. Therefore, during interviews, for example, it was sometimes difficult to navigate.

In the first month I was very bored, I wanted to go back home, it was boring. But after a month you get used to these quiet weekends, you go somewhere outdoors, you can just walk into the mountains. You get tired (I once walked 30 kilometers up and back and then lay in bed for two days), but it’s worth it. It’s a completely different feeling, you even calm down inside yourself. Those who are looking for peace should go there, live like this and communicate with the Norwegians - they are the most calm people. While I lived in Lithuania, I was wildly twitchy, constantly in a hurry somewhere, running, everyone was kind of sad, sad, although in Lithuania everything is not so bad.

“They can turn to the state in any situation and the state will help them. They don’t understand how the state can screw you over.”

In Norway you relax. Any problem can happen to you, but you know that you will solve it. I think this is due to the fact that they have never experienced the stories that our countries have experienced. In any situation they can turn to the state and the state will help them. They don’t understand how the state can screw you over. How can you ask for help, but they will send you away. There is no such thing there, and therefore they are always calm, because they know that there is support from the state, that they will not remain on the street. And you also calm down, make your life measured. You work, even if it’s dirty work, even if it’s hard for you, but you know that you’ll get normal money for it and you’ll be able to live. Most people who go there from Belarus, Ukraine, Russia know that they will work hard. It may not be their dream job, but they know that with this money they can travel, help relatives, whatever.

Norwegians are polite. It's probably more politeness than friendliness. They are stingy with emotions. If people are friends with us, then you are in touch with this person 24/7, emotional conversations, get-togethers, weekends. With them, everyone lives on their own, and at the same time, they are very open. How I met a Norwegian. I sent my CV to all these offices, and a guy from one office found me on Facebook and wrote, let’s meet, at least get to know each other, we’ll know who you are and what you are. It was strange for me, because they couldn’t offer me anything at that time, but they met just to talk about fashion and the weather. In this regard, they accept you, there are no problems. But it's more of a stereotype that they are so cold-blooded. They have become very interested in what is happening in our countries, they are interested in knowing what is happening here and how we live.

Older people, of course, are not ready to transform into a different mentality, so they live in their own diaspora. And young people are able to integrate. Only through mentality can one understand why their system is structured this way.

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Norway is one of the most prosperous European countries. Due to the discovery of gas and oil fields in the sixties, life in Norway became almost fabulous.

Street in the center of Oslo

According to many people who want to leave Russia or Ukraine for “fairy-tale” Norway, they “fell in love” with this country as children, looking at the magnificent illustrations of the great Kittelsen. Today, the “country of trolls” attracts not only connoisseurs of magnificent fjords and colorful folklore, which is so similar to Slavic, but also those who dream of settling in a prosperous state. Life in Norway in 2017, indeed, compares favorably with life even in other European powers.

Most Russians, firmly convinced that it is truly good only where they are not, fall in love with Norway in absentia, through numerous films, books and virtual guides. Indeed, the standard of living here is enviable, and the quality of medicine and education is more than decent.

View of the Norwegian fjords

It is believed that the “country of trolls” has the lowest levels of inflation and unemployment, and most importantly, almost communism reigns here: there are no poor people, and no very rich people either. In addition, Norway can boast of life expectancy. Women live on average to eighty-three years, men - to almost eighty.

Also, most Russians and Ukrainians are impressed by social policies that include:

1. Special “apartment” programs.
2. Special medical programs.
3. Free foreign language courses.
4. Payments for the birth of children.
5. to the needy.

And yet, you should not hope to find yourself in a real paradise on earth. There are also significant disadvantages to living in the Kingdom.

Working conditions and salary

Level wages in Norway it is indeed very high. It is for this reason that most Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians leave for the Kingdom to work.

Comparison table between Norway's salaries and other countries

It should be taken into account that it is quite difficult for a foreign applicant to find a job in the country. On good earnings and the prospect of career growth can only be counted on by a highly qualified specialist with a narrow focus. The rest can work in oil wells or fish factories.

Comparison of the cost of gasoline in Norway compared to other countries

Of course, not everyone can receive unemployment benefits. To do this you need to meet certain criteria.

Who is the benefit paid to?

There are the following requirements for those who wish to receive unemployment benefits in Norway:

• The period of work at the enterprise is at least 8 weeks;
• The person who lost his job was employed during the first three months of his stay in the Kingdom;
• Working hours were reduced by 50 percent;
• A person who has lost his job is actively searching for a new employer;
• A person who has lost his job is able to provide an employment card every two weeks;
• The person wishing to receive unemployment benefits is not a student at a Norwegian university;
• A person who has lost his job and is applying for benefits may submit documents confirming the legality of his presence in the country.

Comparison of various benefits in Norway with other countries

Benefit payment period

How long a person who has lost his position will receive unemployment benefits depends on what his salary level was for the previous year. last year, and how much Norwegian kroner he managed to earn. The level of income over the last 3 years is also taken into account.

So, the benefit is paid:

1. Within 104 weeks, if the amount of earnings is about 160 thousand Norwegian kroner and 2 times the amount of national insurance.
2. Within 52 weeks, if the amount of earnings does not exceed 79 thousand Norwegian kroner.

In general, benefits for the unemployed amount to about 63 percent of earnings. If the person who lost his position has minor children, the benefit amount will be slightly higher.

Features of life in the Kingdom

Norway is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world.

Detailed map of Norway showing border states

Prices in Norway really do go up a notch. In general, in terms of price level, large cities such as Oslo are in a kind of “hit parade” not far from Tokyo. This is especially true for food products.

This is because the Kingdom is forced to import a large number of products.

Therefore, in order not to go broke on food, you need to learn to save as much as possible and eat the way the indigenous people do.

The cost of rent is quite high. Rent a two-room apartment in big city is approximately 72.0 thousand Norwegian kroner.

Cost of food

In 2017, prices for food products relevant to average Norwegians are as follows:

Cost of clothes and shoes

Norwegian prices for shoes and clothing in 2017 are almost identical to Russian ones. Children's clothing in the Kingdom costs slightly less than in the Russian Federation. Most Norwegians prefer to shop at sales, where there is every chance to buy high-quality and even branded items at a discount of 50 to 90 percent.

Transport

In order to get from one Norwegian city to another, you will need to spend an impressive amount of money. Traveling around the city is also quite expensive. So, a bus trip in 2017 can cost fifty crowns. If you want to buy a car, you should know that it is subject to a very high tax. The average cost of a car varies between NOK 250.0 thousand. Even if you buy a car in another country, you will have to pay tax.

People who have the opportunity to purchase a car or move to Norway with their “iron horse” cannot but be interested in the price of gasoline in 2017. It is important to know that motorists can fill their car with both diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline. The average price of gasoline is as follows:

In Norway it is allowed to transport gasoline in a canister.

Gas cost

The average price of Norwegian gas in 2017 was 0.80 euros. It is important to take into account that:

• In 2017, the Kingdom supplied about one hundred billion cubic meters of natural gas to European residents;
• After the Russian Federation, Norway is the 2nd exporter of natural gas in the world;
• About 95 percent of natural gas was supplied to Europe by pipeline;
• Five percent of natural gas was supplied in liquefied form;
• The growth in gas supplies was carried out at the expense of British consumers;
• Behind Lately The Kingdom supplied European countries with about 30 percent of gas.

Today the country continues to exploit natural gas for domestic consumption.

Layout of the gas industry in Norway

The volume of gas consumed is approximately two percent of the total volume. According to some reports, the cost of natural Norwegian gas will be reduced in 2017-2020.

Tax system

The significant disadvantages of living in this European country are associated with truly shocking taxes. Unfortunately, taxes in Norway also hit hard on the pockets of the average resident of the Kingdom. This is understandable, since this is the only way to ensure social benefits, which are steadily growing every year. According to some reports, more than a third of wages goes into the tax treasury.

Residents of the Kingdom carefully pay direct, property and income taxes. The state also levies a fee on a significant number of current services and goods. A foreign person who manages to get a job in the territory of this state is obliged to pay tax.

Identity card in Norway

In addition, within eight days of arrival, a foreign applicant is required to contact the tax office at his place of residence. This is necessary in order to obtain a taxpayer card. Currently, income tax is fifty-five percent for amounts exceeding NOK 81.0 thousand.

Medical services

The availability and highest quality of medical services on the territory of this state have become a real talk of the town. The core principle of the Kingdom's healthcare is to provide medical care to everyone who needs it. Status and financial situation do not matter.

Today, in terms of the level of spending on the health of everyone who lives in the Kingdom, Norway is in honorable third place after a small state.

Hospital building in Norway

Structure of the medical system

The kingdom is divided into 5 medical territorial zones. Thanks to this, the state has the opportunity to exercise control over medicine. The quality of medical services is the responsibility of local officials.
There are 3 levels of medical care in total. It is represented by 4 types of medical institutions:

1. General medical institutions.
2. Outpatient institutes.
3. Psychiatric clinics.
4. Medical university clinics (this is where you can get the highest quality care).

Help for foreigners

Medicine in Norway assumes that any foreigner living in the state for more than twelve months is entitled to insurance. Also, a foreign person, regardless of his purpose for staying in the country, has the right to choose both a doctor and a clinic.

In 2017, even illegal immigrants have the right to qualified medical care.
Minor children and pregnant women have the right to free medical prescriptions. Unfortunately, this does not apply to dental treatment. The cost of treatment at a dental clinic averages about six hundred Norwegian kroner.

Psychological help

Many people, especially those who come to Norway from the southern regions, find themselves psychologically unprepared for the peculiarities of the winter season in this country. Against this background, many emigrants develop a fairly severe form of depression. During daylight hours, a person may have serious problems falling asleep. Often this transforms into serious sleep disturbances.

In this regard, an emigrant theoretically has the right to receive psychological assistance. But achieving this is quite difficult, since the presence psychological problem recognized only when a person is diagnosed with a serious problem such as autism.

Conclusion

A well-known Russian proverb says that a fish chooses a deeper place, but a person chooses a better place. People usually go to Norway to receive quality education and treatment. It’s quite difficult to get comfortable, if only because high taxes will eat up the lion’s share of profits.

Considering that a person who is not a highly qualified specialist in some narrow industry cannot count on career growth, there is only one way out: to open his own business.

This is also associated with certain difficulties, but at least the foreigner will not be doomed to a semi-beggarly state.

Restaurant by the sea

Family reunification is also a good option. If a Russian man or woman is lucky enough to tie the knot with a resident of Norway, then moving there forever will be much easier.

“It’s quite difficult to get comfortable, if only because high taxes will eat up the lion’s share of profits.”
The statement is false.
In the Russian Federation, a Russian pays not 13% taxes on salary, but 43% (+18% VAT in the price of each product)! If you don't believe me, Google it.
Next - a very important question that you are missing - where do these taxes go?
I think that the lion's share of these taxes returns to the people - in the form of social support, etc. (as is done in any civilized country).
In the Russian Federation, taxes go to:
- to war;
- in the custody of the police;
- for special structures, etc.
And after that the smaller part goes to the slave-vatans-goyim. Read about the closure of hospitals in the Russian Federation, the inability to call an ambulance and other nightmares.
So I don't agree with your statement.

• I was in the hospital twice a year with acute pancreatitis. The ambulance arrived within 20 minutes after the call. Three weeks of hospitalization - more than 70 thousand for medicines (I looked at the price tags at the pharmacy). The doctors are great, the food is good, there is Wi-Fi. What did I do wrong? Stop telling each other your fears about closed hospitals, and everything will be fine! Well, a stupid person, talking something about vatans and goyim, most likely, is another offended person and lives in the Baltic states or in Ukraine, where social. There is no sign of support even at the Russian level.

  • I was in the hospital with appendicitis... (at this point you might think, well, they will feed you little without fried foods, etc., but no, they fed everyone like that) honestly, they fed me shit, the best thing that was in the hospital was apple juice, and the food, how can I say, was SHIT ... Normal porridge? No, no, it’s better to give us porridge made from waste with a taste (I can’t describe it, but the taste is simply terrible) When they were carrying rice with meat, I prayed to God to live another day without food... And then get normal food (from friends and relatives, of course) well, there’s plenty more it was shit. Well, let's move on to the main thing: apples, pears, etc. It was scary to touch Karl to touch!!! Well, I had to (I think there is no need to explain what they were, and it’s so clear “It was scary to touch”):(... Well, this is not the worst thing, the worst thing is when a child is in the room with you, crying day and night for 2 weeks. I I was ready to cry myself... You can write about the beds in the hospital forever, but the horror lurked in the blanket, if you want to warm up, just go n****, you'll die faster than wait for the doctors to understand that patients are also living people and they get cold. The pillows, well, the pillows were comfortable Well, the end, oh, I almost forgot there is also coffee and tea without sugar only, and coffee with 2-3 millipidric beans, the tea has some strange aftertaste in the room there is nothing except a chest of drawers and 3 more beds

    Mom was admitted to the hospital to prepare for surgery; her hemoglobin had to be raised. They found out that they didn’t have medications and needed to buy their own when after a few days there was no improvement - they asked what pills they gave. It turned out - only vitamins, because... there is nothing. Of course, we bought the medicines and systems ourselves. But the question is - why didn’t they say it right away?
    We live in the Russian Federation, Ulyanovsk. We were lucky with doctors - we ended up with good specialists. But the level of supply of medicines is poor.

    Alexeyushka, my husband had a complex technological operation in St. Petersburg a month ago. The operation was expensive. My husband was given a quota. The food was good. The attitude towards patients was superb. Vivat to our medicine! Only one thing. Before the trip to St. Petersburg, I spent a year visiting doctors. I saw different specialists. The diagnosis was made for six months. Sick leave was not given for three months. Although the husband, having arrived on his feet at the beginning of treatment, later took up a cane, and even later was forced to use crutches. But sick leave was not given. And the surgeon stated that with the pathology that the husband had, he should experience slight discomfort. Later, I demanded that the orthopedist stop treating my husband, because three months of treatment was useless, and to begin further examination of my husband. It was clear to me, a person who had not studied medicine for a day, that the diagnosis was not correct. And the head of the orthopedic department accused me of ignorance and exposed me to from the office. And as a result, I turned out to be right. Only, as I already wrote, my husband, by that time, could barely walk on crutches. And tens of thousands of money were spent on useless treatment. Taking into account the fact that my husband is now on disability, this money was would not be superfluous for us. I can also tell you about my colleague, son who had a problem with her leg. They put her in surgery. And...they operated on her HEALTHY leg. It was so “successful” that the child became disabled. And I also had a friend who almost died, who, as it later turned out, had appendicitis, and she was treated for two weeks from an acute respiratory infection, although in addition to the temperature, she clearly complained of abdominal pain and pain when visiting the toilet. I can also tell for a long time how they provide help to my bedridden dad. For example, a therapist will come, take a look, promise that they will come to take a blood test and a neurologist will come The therapist will leave and happily forget about it. And there are very, very many such “and”s. So, in our hospitals there is no fear. In our hospitals (many) there is HORROR,

    100% + tax on real estate and cars on an annual basis, no matter how many times you buy and sell your property, purchased with money on which income tax has already been paid. You are required to pay sales tax over and over again.

I was in Norway this fall. I was amazed: on weekends for children under 12 years old (even foreigners) free travel everywhere (Oslo-Bergen train), metro, tram, bus, etc., attractions and entertainment - 30% of the cost of an adult (while an adult is cheaper on weekends, than on weekdays). Saturday through Monday morning is a day off for everyone, even in stores. Shortened working day on weekdays (4-6 hours), maternity leave- 3 years - 1/2 mother and baby and 1/2 father (the state pays 1,750 CZK monthly). The products are expensive, but they are edible (non-GMO), fresh, tasty, etc. The clothes are the same as ours, but a different quality of material and tailoring is felt (even in those brands that are in the Russian Federation). The police are always nearby, but not visible, everywhere is beautiful and clean. You can live there, you just have to learn it (we met Russians often - no one complained).

• I have been living in Norway for more than 5 years, working in the medical field. Norway is a wonderful country, but like other countries, it has its own nuances. Bread prices average 39 CZK per loaf. In such an average store in Norway as Kiwi and Rema1000, Trout is sold filleted in 2-4 pieces and the price is 30-50 crowns, respectively (each fillet weighs 125 grams).
  Next, about third place in the world in terms of quality of medicine. Every person living in Norway knows that medicine in Norway is one of the most expensive and at the same time the worst in Europe. For each appointment with a doctor you pay 300 CZK (this is just an appointment). Besides this, you never know which doctor you will end up with. I personally had to change doctor because he couldn’t distinguish a sore throat from a common cold, it’s good that I thought of going to the legevakt (emergency room) myself, where I came across a doctor from Poland and really helped (any medical worker knows what serious complications a common sore throat can cause on the heart).
  In addition, in Norway there are “dental tours” to Poland, since medicine there is better and cheaper. By the way, yes, the author writes about the cost of dental treatment at 600 CZK - this is true if there is no canal filling, because then the amount comes out to about 1200 CZK. The author also forgot to add that when you go to the dentist, you also pay about 800 CZK for an examination plus treatment.
  I don’t complain at all about life in Norway, I can afford good life, but let's not think that everything is smooth there. There are absolutely wonderful things there ( cultural life in Oslo, for example, there are various exhibitions, concerts, etc.), but there is also bad medicine, and food prices are also not the lowest.

• Do they have a better education? Well, you've had too much. My child studied in a private school in America, no exams, only an essay, entered 3 universities without problems. It's difficult for Americans to enter there. I finished my bachelor’s degree, came back, retrained, it was very difficult, there was no training. The only thing - good language(this was my goal), and that is American. Any of our certified specialists is many times better than an American one.

  Norway produces per capita: 1) gas 15 times, 2) oil 8 times.
  And, probably, Norwegians work better than others from “cook” to “president”.
  Don't forget that in pre-revolutionary Russia poorly done work was characterized as “theft,” if I’m not mistaken.
  So, my dear compatriots, I think that our well-being depends only on ourselves.
  Well, for those who want to live for free, good riddance... And as Kozma Prutkov said: “An extra mouth is worse than a pistol.”

Our EdgeP reader writes:

1. Norway is a fantastic country. The richest and most diverse nature, huge reserves of energy resources and their reasonable development make the Norwegians an extremely wealthy nation.

2. The population of Norway is insignificant - they do not even reach 5 million people. This is about a quarter of modern Moscow. More than 1.5 million Norwegians live in the capital Oslo and its suburbs. Any city with a population of more than 30 thousand is considered large.

3. Know this: 100% of Norwegians speak, write and read English perfectly. Children learn a language from the age of 5–6 years or earlier. Any child over 10 can easily communicate with you in English. The exception is very old pensioners 75+.

4. Norwegians love and appreciate the sea. They prefer to live no further than 200–300 meters from the water, or in direct visibility of it. Those who live inland still buy a second house by the sea. 80% of the population has boats or motorboats.

5. Norway has an incredibly variable climate. Fog, sun, sharp wind, rain, and again fog can change with fantastic frequency. The Norwegians even coined a saying: “Don’t like our weather? wait 15 minutes."

6. The nature of Norway is majestic and diverse. Forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, sea, and everything else are in pristine condition. The attitude towards nature is very careful. There are no poachers, and there is practically no garbage either. Thanks to the sea, there are no mosquitoes or other evil spirits. It's not hot in summer... paradise!

7. By law, any resident of the country and its guest have the right of unhindered access to all natural resources without restrictions - both in the forest and at sea. You can walk and swim wherever you want. If the land is private or fenced, it is advisable to ask permission out of courtesy.

8. The stories that Norway is a very expensive country are true. In general, all products are expensive, and the most regular products everywhere they stand as in the ABC of Taste. It’s easy to go to a supermarket and spend 200 euros without really buying anything. Services (for example, taxis or construction) will cost even more - they simply cost unrealistic money. Gasoline is almost 2 euros per liter. Car taxes are crazy. At the same time, Norway is the second oil exporting country in Europe. Giants such as Shell or Statoil are Norwegian.

9. Products in Norway highest quality. Especially dairy ones. The local ice cream is simply superb. Even at McDonald's, the meat in the hamburger is quite edible. By the way, here are the most expensive hamburgers in Europe. By the same principle, any ordinary fast food costs terrible money. In an ordinary pizzeria, paying 200 euros for 4 without alcohol is the norm. However, the pizza itself is not very good.

10. Compliance with laws and the absence of crime is almost everywhere. Theft is unthinkable for most residents. Only large retail chains have detector frames for theft of goods at the exit, or surveillance cameras. Otherwise, they are practically nowhere to be found.

11. Almost 100% of the population is connected to high-speed Internet. Due to the climate and long distances, Norwegians spend a lot of time online.

12. Norwegians love and protect their monarchy. The older population is more proud than the younger population of maintaining the royal family.

13. In comparison with other Europeans, almost any Norwegian who travels outside the country is a mini-oligarch. In Asian countries this is generally the case with kings. The average salary for many Norwegians can be up to 5–7 thousand euros per month. Thus, for visitors, local prices are prohibitive, but for locals everything is ok.

14. Sea and lake fishing in Norway is a connoisseur's paradise. There is an incredible variety of fish and various sea creatures. There are fishing regions only in the northern regions, and starting from the city of Bergen and to the south there is no fishing. You can catch it anytime, in any weather, almost anywhere. Crabs, mussels, sea snails and other goodies are also in abundance. No fishing licenses are needed.

15. That is why many Europeans have recently developed a profitable hobby: coming to Norway in refrigerated trucks, living in the cheapest houses or tents, fishing for two weeks without a break, stocking up on fish for 6 months in advance, and leaving back. The Germans, Dutch and Belgians are perhaps the most active.

16. Norwegians do not collect gifts from the forest, do not understand mushrooms and berries, and do not know the properties of herbs. Therefore, in a good season, all this stuff is simply piled up. IN good year There are so many mushrooms that in 2–3 hours one person can collect a 100-liter bag of selected white mushrooms. I’m not even talking about blueberries, wild raspberries and blackberries - they grow everywhere like weeds.

17. Norwegians are terribly surprised and admire the knowledge of Russians about mushrooms and berries. Many are sure that we are brave and risky people if we go into the forest to collect them. They refuse to try. In the supermarket they easily buy greenhouse mushrooms and chanterelles, completely ignoring the forest 10 meters from the house. It's shocking at first.

18. You can’t just buy strong alcohol in Norway! It is sold only in special stores - Vinmonopolet. Translated as alcohol monopoly. Owned by the state. They work strictly Monday-Friday; in the capital there seem to be shops on Saturday, open until 7 o’clock maximum, with a long break for lunch in the middle of the day. And they are not available everywhere. Alcohol is incredibly expensive there: a bottle of vodka for 70–100 euros is the norm.

19. In supermarkets you can only buy beer or cider no stronger than 5.2 degrees. Everything above, including wine, is only available in a restaurant, bar, or as already stated in the wine monopoly.

20. Norwegians love to drink, but they don’t know how. They get drunk quickly, lose their minds just as quickly, and act noisy and funny. The skills to recover from a hangover, or the knowledge of how to cheer yourself up with cucumber or cabbage pickle, are absent as a fact. They become wildly delighted if they are brought to their senses in such a simple way.

21. Norway has the longest fjords in the world. A fiord is a wide, often winding and deep channel with rocky shores, piercing from the sea deep into the mainland for many kilometers. Fiords also exist in Canada, Chile, and New Zealand. The ones in Norway are the most beautiful.

22. Norwegians are very mediocre women in terms of beauty. Of medium height, stocky, tightly built with wide-set eyes, snub nose, and generally very independent.

23. But Norwegian men are the opposite: tall, athletic, many have natural blondes, a kind of Vikings with a wide smile and blue eyes. One can understand why they are not always in a hurry to marry local Norwegian women.

24. Many Norwegian children are extraordinarily beautiful. Blonde, slender, athletic, some with curly hair - the purity of genetic lines is visible. Children are raised quite strictly. It is not customary to pamper.

25. You can drive all day through central Norway, or indeed through any other part of it, and not see a single police car. Or the police themselves. But a tractor on the road at a speed of 40 km per hour is quite common.

26. Every next day is similar to the previous one. In the sense that everything flows very calmly and measuredly. Norwegians start working at about 10 am, and by 4 am they wrap up. On weekends, only restaurants or supermarkets are open. Nobody is in any particular hurry.

27. Almost 100% of the population skis and snowboards. Women are often no worse than men.

28. Children start skiing from the age of 4–5. Seeing a dad pushing a baby down a very decent slide for that age is a normal thing. Children of about 10 years old make me, a person with 12 years of experience, almost effortless.

29. On country roads, usually near a farm, you can often find a table with vegetables or fruits. And the price tag is worth it. On it there will be scales, shopping bags, and a jar for money. This is a form of self-service. Everything is built on trust. There's no one around.

30. Young Norwegians and even middle-aged people are very fond of science fiction and fantasy as a genre. Movies like Lord of the Rings or Star Wars very popular.

31. Most of the programs on TV are in English, with Norwegian subtitles at most. It is very comfortable.

32. Norwegians dress very casually and simply, like all of Europe in general. It is difficult to see a beautifully dressed girl or guy.

33. Local cuisine is simple and unpretentious. They don't cook very well, to put it mildly. But the Norwegians have succeeded in preparing fish recipes: dried, salted, smoked, etc., a lot of it is delicious. It is customary to prepare seafood very simply: a minimum of any additives, a minimum of processing. Try local fish caviar in iron tubes like RekerOst - very tasty.

34. For the most part, Norwegians are well-mannered and trusting people. Older generation quite pedantically, many follow the traditional way of life and business.

35. Getting a very large loan from a bank at 3–4 percent per annum is not at all difficult. In general, everything is done for the sake of man. You can plan your life 10 years in advance, including any expenses and career advancement. And the plan will come true.

36. The attitude towards foreigners is reserved but friendly. Norwegians calmly invite people to visit, share food, and help with advice. It is quite possible to make good friends.

37. Outside of big cities active life Hardly ever. No clubs, no cinema, no shopping centers. However, there are almost no Norwegians themselves either.

38. The state does its best to support the population's employment in at least some way. There are subsidies in many areas of private business. So, you can buy 30 sheep, nail tags on their ears, declare to the state that I am now a cheerful farmer, and let them out to graze whole year on some island. For this you can receive subsidies, equipment, and benefits from the state. At the end of the year, catch and sell - and earn a little more.

39. The murder of at least one person is discussed on national TV and radio for at least a week. Robbery too.

40. Roads in Norway are very good, but almost the entire regional transport network is single-lane. The highway offers only one lane in each direction. This is terribly annoying.

41. In recent years, Norway has increased the influx of immigrants from other countries. And not only from traditional Africa or Asia - but we even met Chechens! Most immigrants behave arrogantly, don’t want to integrate, don’t learn the language, gather in groups, breed like cockroaches, don’t like to work and exploit the system. This was not the case 10 years ago.

42. Learning Norwegian, or Norsk, is quite difficult. Lots of jumping intonations, different root words. But if you try, everything is ok in two years.

43. Many young Norwegians complain about boring lives, excessive enforcement of laws, high prices and difficult climate. However, they are proud to be themselves and part of the nation.

44. In summer South part The country is a very warm place. Strawberries, plums and pears ripen in abundance. The water in some places is up to 20 degrees, and swimming in the North Sea is very fun. You can even get a tan.

45. Airplane flights within the country, as well as abroad, are extremely cheap. At the same time, the quality of service is higher than that of European airline discounters. Flying to Dubrovnik from Bergen (3.5 hour flight) for 40 euros, or to Amsterdam for 35 from Oslo is common.

46. Smoking is being fought with unrealistic tobacco prices. However, Norwegians love to smoke. Many people buy cut tobacco in briquettes and smoke hand-rolled cigarettes, or bring cigarettes from duty free.

47. Norway has the largest total number of tunnels in Europe. There are simply hundreds of them everywhere. There is one that passes under the sea strait at a depth of about 4 km. Some tunnels are tolled, as are some bridges.

48. Renting a car, even the simplest one, is expensive. 2–3 times more expensive than some European countries. There are very few gasoline ones. Diesel is our everything.

49. Norway is the northernmost point of mainland Europe. Called North Cape, it is located on the edge of a cliff far to the north. IN good weather you can see the edge of the Arctic glaciers.

50. Despite its geographical proximity to Sweden, the people of Norway are different people. And in general, among all the Scandinavians, they must be the most original. Nature also differs.

51. The funds Norway receives from the sale of resources are distributed wisely. Norway has an unrealistic amount of real estate and land abroad. But few people know about this - they prefer to behave with restraint.

52. By virtue of large quantity islands and straits, a very developed ferry network. Ferries go anywhere and very often. You can save hours of travel by taking a ferry. Mostly in my car. The ferries themselves are large, comfortable, and relatively inexpensive.

53. In Norway it is legal to catch sea crab, but it is forbidden to catch lobster. If a lobster gets to your crabber, and this happens quite often, according to the rules it must be released. When asked “what do you do with the lobster,” most Norwegians smile and say that, of course, they release this wonderful arthropod into the wild - while winking slyly. Live lobsters are sold at the fish market; their catch is subject to quotas.

54. Silver is inexpensive in Norway. Silverware good quality.

55. If you come as a tourist, do not forget to ask for Tax-free everywhere you go. It can be issued almost everywhere and for any goods, from a purchase amount equivalent to 50 euros. As a result, you can return up to 30% of the money spent.

56. A hero of Norwegian folklore, the troll is a very popular symbol in many establishments. Despite their very demonic appearance, trolls are spirits of nature, they protect it and also help good people. There you are interesting fact: take a troll figurine, place it next to it, and try to compare it with the appearance of the surrounding local residents, especially women. An attentive observer will be able to spot unexpected similarities!

57. Pets, especially dogs, are extremely well-mannered. They bark a little, are very friendly, and do not bother their owners at all. Even with each other they are very reserved.

58. It's not easy to piss off a Norwegian. Many will prefer not to get involved. But if you achieve your goal, don’t expect anything good. Norwegians can be terrible when angry.

59. Energy in Norway costs crazy amounts of money. In 4 weeks, a family of 5 people can easily spend about 1 thousand euros on electricity. And even more. Be very rational with your energy expenses.

60. The care of children and young people is very strong. It is not at all uncommon when kindergarten There are 20-30 kids from one area, and no one else. Another kindergarten is being built for others. And this is not just a house with game room. This is a whole complex of a playground, locker rooms, toilets, kitchen, etc. It is customary to take off your shoes at the entrance. Being a child in Norway is a blessing.

61. There are few high-rise buildings and residential complexes, almost none. Mostly people live in private houses. The houses are simple but comfortable. They are usually painted red or blue and white, often with a field grass lawn on the roof. This is not only a tribute to tradition - such a roof insulates perfectly in winter. Looks funny.

62. There are not many generally known facts about Norway. The most famous associations are the Vikings, Edvard Grieg, mountains, fiords and trolls.

63. Most of the economy's income comes to the treasury from the sale of petroleum products. Next comes marine fishing, shipbuilding, engineering and the construction of deep-sea platforms.

64. The northern part of the country is very different from the southern part in climate. In winter it is cold and snowy in the north. In the south there may be no snow at all and the temperature in winter is above zero.

65. You can buy whale meat at the market or supermarket. It is scarce and expensive. Whale meat is dark, almost black, and tastes like elk meat. They sell steaks and minced meat.

66. In some cities, the local fauna has become completely accustomed to the proximity of humans. Pigeons in the square can land right on your hand and dashingly start eating your bun. Seagulls can hover a meter from the deck of a passing ferry and grab thrown bread right in the air.

6 7. Engineering universities, maritime academies, as well as oil and gas institutes are very prestigious.

68. According to tradition, every man must make a knife and sheath for himself. With my own hands. Everything you need for this is sold in abundance. Blades, blanks, tools, leather. Handles made from scraps of Karelian birch are especially good. Difficult to process, but beautiful and durable.

69. Along the road you can often find small cairns. They are called “tog” and no one touches them. Previously, they were folded so as not to lose their way after a snowfall or in heavy fog. Now this is a funny tradition.

70. There is a lot of game and wild animals. A deer or a galloping roe deer running onto the road is not uncommon.

71. When drinking, Norwegians clink glasses and say “Skol!” In this case, the letter “O” sounds like something between “o” itself and “e”. Toasting is not accepted.

72. The population of the country is not very religious. Of course, there are churches and cathedrals, but not many. Mostly adults attend the service.

73. If you live in nature in your house and have only electricity, you can get 80% of your food from the land. The sea is rich in all types of marine food, the water in streams and many lakes is drinkable without pre-treatment, and the forests are rich in game and fruits. However, the population is very wealthy, and in general does not burden nature with its presence.

74. The Norwegians have nothing, and there is no need to share with each other. In addition, many people usually know each other. As a result, there is a complete absence of clashes or hostile groups. But visitors who were generously allowed to come and live in the country often crowd out the locals with their behavior and arrogance.

75. It is not the Norwegians who write correctly, but the Norwegians :) Forgive me, everyone, for the habit of writing incorrectly.

76. Finding decent Russian products is not at all easy. It’s easier to order them online and have them delivered. But there are exceptions. So, Kefir is sold in supermarkets everywhere. Almost like ours. But it’s easier to pickle cucumbers or ferment cabbage yourself.

77. If you set a goal, then for enough a short time You can get a meeting with the Prime Minister of the country. To do this, it is not at all necessary to be a famous oligarch, a member of his party or a classmate from his student days.

78. If the owners are at home, it is customary to raise the national flag on a flagpole next to the house. Many people have it. When leaving, it is lowered.

79. Respect for private property is observed throughout. During the day, most houses are not locked at all, except in large cities - and this is completely safe. It is customary to visit by invitation.

80. Recently, online poker has become very popular in the country. Today this is a common trend throughout Scandinavia. Norwegian players are popular and very dangerous: they are aggressive, persistent and calculating. Many achieve excellent results in the world poker arena.

81. You can bring high-quality alcohol as a gift to Norwegians. From the hands of the Russians this is even recommended. There are no clichés in this.

82. After sea fishing, many people want to try lake or river fishing. Often at the entrance to a freshwater lake you can see a poster prohibiting the use of marine gear in the lake. In particularly fishy lakes, there are dispensers with detergents for your fishing rods and tackle at the entrance. This measure prevents marine microorganisms on the gear from moving into fresh water. There have already been cases of algae infection.

83. There are practically no expensive cars on the roads in Norway. In half the cases, the new S-Class or BMW X6 will be driven by Germans or other Europeans.

84. It is almost impossible to meet people begging on the streets. The only exceptions are big cities, and almost always it is someone from immigrants. In the nineties this did not happen at all.

85. Registering your own company is quite simple. Be prepared to pay high taxes and remember that the Norwegians are very conservative in their choice of goods and services.

86. Near Oslo there is beautiful park attractions. It is very interesting and fun, there are very few queues.

87. Civil aviation pilots are cold-blooded and fearless guys. Takeoff and landing are often very rapid, and the weather conditions are not the most ideal. But this is justified - there are solid mountains around, there are not many direct platforms, and you need to take off quickly. Dozens of flights across the country under very harsh conditions have repeatedly proven to me their professionalism.

88. When traveling in Norway, splurge on a traditional wool sweater! Usually they are painted in multi-colored patterns, sometimes with deer, squares or broken lines. They can be very expensive, from 300 euros - but the quality is excellent, and they will last you an incredibly long time, without fading or shrinking.

89. Unless it's a foreigner or an immigrant, the chances of someone throwing a cigarette at you on the street are zero. If you share it with a friend, he will try to return it to you.

90. Local residents are not inclined to be overweight. They spend a lot of time at sea and fresh air, the food is not greasy and of good quality. There is very little fast food.

91. When Norwegian wives get married, they become very homely. They are often very educated, hardworking and well-mannered. Considering the fact that many citizens have been inheriting wealth for several generations, women are often quite wealthy even before marriage.

92. All cars on Norwegian roads have a built-in low beam mode that is always on. It is not disabled in most cases. This is due to the changeable weather.

93. For renting a boat with an engine less than 9 hp. no management license required. It is almost impossible to rent anything that is more powerful and faster without special water rights.

9 4. The English word Thursday comes from the name of the Norse god of thunder, Thor. At first, the day was called Thor's day.

95. Showing off, showing off and showing off are not held in high esteem by the Norwegians. Mostly immigrants and tourists behave this way.

96. There are few Russians, almost none. This is good, because our citizens tend to do shit and behave provocatively. Recently, more often in the summer, our tourists have become more numerous. The majority are wealthy and so far behave in a civilized manner.

97. Go to the grocery store, find a large refrigerator with bags of frozen shrimp sold by weight, put them in a thermal bag, weigh them, pay for them - and at home just dump them in the kitchen sink and turn on the boiling water. Once the shrimp are thawed and heated through, remove and serve. The shrimp will be juicy, flavorful and already quite salty. There is no need to boil or specially prepare them.

98. Finding a sushi restaurant or cafe that serves sushi is almost impossible. They are only in Oslo, Bergen, and it seems in Stavanger. In other cities there is only one such establishment. The quality is very modest. And of course, expensive.