Norway

On July 1st 2026, a number of changes to laws and regulations will come into effect in Norway. Here is a breakdown of the main updates affecting residents and the international community living in the country.

From the start of Norway's so-called "common holidays" (fellesferie) to major law updates and the annual nationwide memorials marking the Utøya massacre, here is a run through of the main changes and events in Norway in July 2026.

Temperature tops 30C in several places in Norway, reported improvements to the country's GP scheme, and more news from Norway on Monday.

Sweden will become one of the cheapest countries in Europe for petrol and diesel when it slashes taxes on July 1st.

The World Health Organisation said Sunday that over 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded in Europe since June 21 in connection with the record-breaking heatwave roasting much of the continent.

Tens of millions are braving a weekend of extreme temperatures in Europe as a deadly heatwave moves eastwards, with some countries announcing rising death tolls and health services warning of saturation.

From oil workers to healthcare staff, even children in daycare, all of Norway is getting in on a viral trend to support their team in the World Cup: pretending to row aboard a longship, flags in hand.

Commercial supplies of jet fuel may worsen this summer despite the improving situation in the Strait of Hormuz, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said Friday.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken defended his decision to leave out star duo Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard in Friday's 4-1 World Cup defeat against France, saying it was a "no-brainer".

The heatwave battering Europe may have an unlikely partner-in-crime: a patch of cold ocean water south of Iceland and Greenland that can influence weather patterns over the continent.

Following proposed changes to Norway's citizenship rules, The Local is asking readers what they think and whether they'd be impacted. Take part in our reader survey here.

Human-caused climate change is "unequivocally" responsible for the intensity of a record-breaking heatwave scorching Europe, scientists said Friday, while experts consider the costs for an economy as productivity melts and growth becomes lethargic.

Politicians in Norway have long engaged in a heated debate over the country's tax system, and a major shake-up appears to be on the horizon. Here’s how the proposed reforms could affect your finances, with both upsides and downsides to consider.

Norway is supposedly one of world’s most gender-equal countries, yet sexual violence remains prevalent across societyIn many ways, the case of Marius Borg Høiby, who was sentenced to four years in prison last week after being found guilty of offences including domestic violence and two counts of rape, was exceptional.The king’s 29-year-old […]

The royals were always popular, but Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Epstein connections and her son’s rape convictions have profoundly shaken public trustThe Norwegian monarchy is in crisis. Not because its future queen is gravely ill, nor even because her son has this week been convicted of serious crimes, but because the institution’s greatest asset […]

Marius Borg Høiby found guilty of ⁠two ​counts of rape, one count of domestic violence and other ⁠crimesMarius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s crown princess, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of several offences including two counts of rape.The verdict was handed down by the Oslo district court on Monday morning […]

Pauline Hanson wants the government to take a stake in resource operations. While experts say this may sound reasonable, the devil’s in the detailsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn September 2022, Pauline Hanson stood up in the Senate to berate the chamber – but she […]

In the Nordic country, books covering subjects such as childbirth and sex have become bestsellers among younger readers – and an export hit. Behind their success lies a unique philosophy of childhood learning‘I wasn’t aware that I am such a brave writer and illustrator,” says Anna Fiske, a softly spoken Swedish-born author living in Norway who […]

Underwater beastie shows discerning moral judgment when picking off victims in this fun Norwegian action filmAs Greta Thunberg demonstrates, an eco-chastising feels somehow cleansing when it comes out of Scandinavia. Maybe it’s because of the idea that people there live in greater harmony with nature. It is splendidly showcased in the shape of Norway’s […]

One Nation proposal would abolish offshore gas profits tax and acquire 30% equity in new projects in a move the Coalition says is ‘borrowed from Venezuela’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation has vowed to replace the contentious offshore gas profits tax and acquire 30% equity stakes in new ventures under an […]

Case hailed as human rights victory as Tromsø court says Tommy Olsen’s actions are lawful and protected under international treatiesThe decision of a Norwegian appeals court to dismiss the extradition of an activist accused of facilitating the illegal entry of people into Greece has been hailed as a rare victory for human rights.In a judgment described […]

The Manchester City striker will feature in Viqueens, an animated film by director Harald Zwart, who described him as ‘powerful, fearless and uniquely Norwegian’Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is to make his feature acting debut, in an animated film as the voice of a Viking – called Haaland.According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Norwegian […]

After drawing delighted crowds since first sighted in Orkney the young male has swum 400 miles across the North SeaA peripatetic walrus who became a local celebrity as he toured the north-east coast of Scotland has now been spotted in Norway, bringing to an end his Celtic sojourn.The young male was christened Magnus after he first hauled his estimated […]

Move by largest donor to environment programme poses further uncertainty for already troubled negotiations The largest donor to the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) is reviewing its funding to the body before its revised budget on 12 May, triggering concern among member states and NGOs.The news could carry significance for the already troubled […]

Norway’s energy minister says country has a ‘responsibility’ to address shortfalls caused by wars in Ukraine and Middle EastIn case of any doubt about Norway’s commitment to maintain – and expand – its production of gas and oil offshore, the energy minister, Terje Aasland, has a pithy response: “We will develop, not dismantle, activity on our […]

Approval for exploration in 70 new areas prompts fierce backlash from fossil fuel opponents The Norwegian government has been heavily criticised for approving plans to reopen three North Sea gasfields nearly three decades after they were closed to help fill the gap in energy supplies created by the Middle East war.Amid sharp price rises in oil and gas […]

The polar explorer, along with designer and pilot Umberto Nobile, make what is considered the first successful journey of any kind to the poleOn 12 May 1926, the Norge, an Italian-built airship, made the first undisputed visit to the north pole. The crew on board included Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, Lincoln Ellsworth, his American financial backer, […]

Exclusive: ‘Fish sludge’ in coastal waters now has nutrient levels equivalent to those in untreated effluent of country the size of Australia, report findsNorwegian fish farms are filling fjords and other coastal waters with nutrient pollution equivalent to the raw sewage of tens of millions of people each year, a report has found.Norway is the largest […]

Scientists find annual sea surface temperatures across Europe reached highest levels recorded, while deadly wildfires set large parts of continent ablazeThe Nordic heatwave that pushed temperatures above 30C (86F) in the Arctic Circle in July was part of a record-breaking year that saw abnormal heat sear more than 95% of Europe, a report has found.Parts of […]

A part suspension was tabled by Ireland, Spain and Slovenia but did not receive enough backing from other member statesThe EU remains split on imposing sanctions on Israel, despite some member states criticising the country over the plight of Gaza and violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy […]