Buying a cabin in Norway 1-2-3
Everything you need to know about buying a cabin in Norway
Dreaming of your own cabin in Norway? This guide walks you through the entire process — from choosing the right area to getting the keys.
Choose your area and type
The first choice is mountain or sea. Mountain cabins offer alpine skiing, cross-country trails and hiking. Coastal cabins mean swimming, boating and fishing. Consider what your family enjoys most and what travel distance is acceptable.
The most popular mountain areas are Hemsedal, Geilo, Trysil and Hafjell. By the sea, Hvaler, Kragerø and Lofoten are in high demand. Price differences between regions can be significant.
Budget and financing
The average mountain cabin costs around NOK 3.4 million, while coastal cabins average NOK 3.7 million. On top of this comes a transfer tax (2.5% of purchase price), registration fees and potential renovation costs.
Most Norwegian banks offer cabin mortgages up to 75% loan-to-value. You need at least 25% equity. Interest rates are typically slightly higher than for residential mortgages.
The buying process step by step
1. Find the property — Search on finn.no, contact local agents, or browse hytte.io.
2. Viewing — Inspect the cabin thoroughly. Check condition, water/sewage, electricity and road access.
3. Financing confirmation — Have your bank's pre-approval ready before bidding.
4. Bidding — Follow bid deadlines and be prepared for competition in popular areas.
5. Acceptance and contract — After accepted bid, the purchase contract is signed.
6. Handover — You receive the keys and the property is yours.
Shared costs and homeowners association
Many cabin areas have a homeowners association (velforening) that manages shared infrastructure — roads, water, snow clearing and waste management. Annual fees typically range from NOK 3,000 to 15,000.
In addition, expect municipal taxes (property tax, water/sewage), insurance and electricity. Budget roughly NOK 30,000–60,000 per year in running costs.
Rules for foreign buyers
Norway has no general restrictions on foreign buyers of holiday properties. You will need a Norwegian personal number or D-number to sign purchase contracts and obtain a bank loan.
EU/EEA citizens can freely purchase property. Buyers from outside the EEA may need a concession for larger properties with agricultural or forestry land.
Maintenance and upkeep
A cabin requires regular maintenance — especially the roof, façade and wet rooms. In winter, monitoring for frost damage and snow load is important.
Use a seasonal checklist: spring check (roof, gutters, terrace), summer maintenance (painting, staining), autumn preparation (shutting off outdoor water) and winter check (snow removal, frost protection).
Renting out your cabin
You can rent out your cabin for up to 30 days per year tax-free, provided you use it yourself at least half the time. Beyond this, rental income is taxable.
Popular rental platforms include Airbnb, FINN and Novasol. Always check whether the homeowners association or zoning plan has rules about short-term rentals.