Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa

How To Enter Svalbard as a Digital Nomad?

You need a visa to enter Svalbard only if you are required to obtain a Schengen visa to enter Norway. Otherwise, you can travel to Svalbard without the need to apply for a residence permit or visa.

To stay more than six months in Svalbard, you must register as a resident at the Population Register of Svalbard within 8 days of arrival. When you move within and from Svalbard, you must send a change of address notification by downloading, printing, and filling out this form, then submitting it to the Svalbard tax office.

If you do need a Schengen visa to enter Norway, you must get one with at least two entries because you have to leave Svalbard through Norway. Make sure you leave Svalbard within the dates specified on your Schengen visa; if the visa expires, you might not be able to enter Norway during your departure.

What Are the Required Documents for Entering Svalbard as a Digital Nomad?

To enter Svalbard, you must have your:

• It is best for your passport to be valid for a period after your planned departure. If you are a citizen of Norway, you can also show your national ID card.
• Advanced notification. If you are the carrier of an aircraft or sea vessel, you must provide an advanced notification with information about passengers and crew. See ‘Regulations on the control of travelers to and from Svalbard’ for more information.
• Schengen visa (if applicable). If you are a citizen of a country that needs a visa to enter Norway, you must apply for a Schengen visa.
• Arranged accommodation. Make sure you find a place to stay in Svalbard. If you don’t have a job in Svalbard, it’s difficult to get accommodation because most of the housing in Svalbard is owned by employers, who then give it to their employees.
• Sufficient funds. You must have enough money to live in Svalbard.

Do I Need to Pay Taxes in Svalbard as a Digital Nomad?

You must pay taxes in Norway if you stay more than 183 days. The tax income in Norway is progressive—the higher the taxable income, the higher the tax rate. So the amount you need to pay depends on your income.

VAT (Value Added Tax) registration might be required if your taxable sales/withdrawals surpass a certain threshold. You must register for VAT if your taxable sales/withdrawals in the last 12 months surpass 50,000 NOK.

What’s the Difference Between Entering Svalbard as a Digital Nomad and as an Independent Contractor?

To obtain an individual contractor visa, you must be the sole owner of your own business and pay taxes on the business’s profits yourself.

The independent contractor visa is valid for two years at most because that is the validity of the residence permit. To apply for an independent contractor visa, you also need to provide other documents, like:

• Proof that you are qualified in your profession.
• Self-employment contract.
• Accommodation proof.
• Stable income of at least around €2,977 per month.
• Norway residence permit.

Is It Expensive to Live in Svalbard as a Digital Nomad?

The cost of living in Svalbard is comparable to the rest of Norway, but it may be more difficult to find accommodation to rent, and fewer access to things like restaurants or other leisure activities. On average, here’s how much you can expect things to cost in Svaldard’s capital, Longyearbyen (in USD):

Rent (small one-bedroom apartment)	USD 680
Utilities	USD 70 / month
Meal out	USD 20
Milk	USD 2.40 – USD 3.54
Loaf of Fresh White Bread	USD 5.00
Rice	USD 2.15
Eggs (pack of 12)	USD 5.02
Local Cheese (kg)	USD 10
Chicken (kg)	USD 13
Fruit (kg)	USD 2.95 – 6.00 (depending on the kind)
Vegetables (kg)	USD 3.54 – 6.00 (depending on the kind)

Living costs obtained from Numbeo.

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