Moving from Norway to London – Things to Be Aware of in 2021

The time for change has come and you have decided to move your house from Norway to London. It sounds great – to forget about the spiked winter shoes, the long sunny, summer nights, and, especially, the freezing cold winter. The UK is an understandably desirable destination to remove to, having a stable economic offering and wide-ranging possibilities, especially for people from the EU and EEA. London covers a territory, which is almost twelve times larger than Oslo and is significantly more inexpensive. Although planning, packing and organizing a house removal to London, particularly with children, can be a tiring and difficult job, it is not half as tough as establishing your new life in a completely unfamiliar country. We offer you some basic information about the working and living conditions in the UK capital as of 2021.

Moving from Norway to London — Do You Need a Visa?

This is a commonly asked question, especially after the UK officially left the EU and the transition period ended on 31.12.2020. To work, study and live in Great Britain, Norwegian citizens need a visa if they are planning to stay on the Island for more than 6 months. There are different kinds of visas depending on your situation. See here what type of documentation you will need to move to the UK.

If you have already relocated to the UK, you need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme or British citizenship by 30 June 2021. Be aware that under the current Norwegian law, if you are a citizen of Norway, you cannot obtain dual citizenship. This means you will lose your Norwegian citizenship in favour of your British one.

Healthcare rights remain unchanged. If you are a Norwegen citizen, you are “entitled to medically necessary healthcare.” All you have to do is show a valid Norwegen passport.
For more information check the official UK government page.

House Removals and Finding Accommodation in London

Finding the right place to live in London is a challenge in itself. The population of the old capital is twenty times bigger than that of Oslo. This means you will emerge in a densely populated city, full of people with diverse cultural backgrounds. London is full of life and it is constantly buzzing under its busy inhabitants, in contrast to the calm and relaxed atmosphere in Oslo. After the house moving you will find out the best part of coming from Norway is how inexpensive everything in the UK will seem to you. While you search to remove to London beware of certain things:

• East London is relatively cheaper than in other parts of the city. However, note that the further you go from Greater London, the less expensive the real estate becomes.
• Most of the properties are advertised with a rental sum ‘per week’, not ‘per month’, as you may be used to.
• Get familiar with the traffic regulations in the capital and try to rent or buy a house with good access to public transportation. London has a big problem with congestion and in the city centre, there are many additional charges that you are obligated to pay if you choose to move around by car.
• Use a real estate agent when you are searching through London for accommodation. The agent will guide you through the whole process and keep you well-informed about all the legalities.
• If you choose to search for your new home alone, be sure to visit the property before renting it and always ask for a tenancy agreement.

Labour Market in London

London offers great opportunities to start a new job. The labour market is flexible and, depending on your qualifications, you can find a job relatively easy. According to the UK Office of National Statistics, the employment rate in London in the first trimester of 2020 reached 76.4%. The unemployment rate was barely 4.6%.

After the COVID-19 crisis hit the UK, there was a slight shift in the estimated rates. According to the ONS report from December 2020, the employment rate fell to 75.2% and the unemployment rate rose to 6.3%. Due to the pandemic, some sectors witness a decline in job numbers – Construction, Transport and Storage, Administrative and support services. The negative effect of the lockdown can soon be minimised thanks to the mass vaccinations and strict government rules. Hopefully, things will get back to normal by the end of 2021.

The labour market in the capital is quite diverse, with new job offers published in different specialized sites every day. We advise you to start your job hunt on totaljobs.com, monster.co.uk, reed.co.uk, or indeed.co.uk. Be sure to check gov.uk before your Norway to London house removals for more legal information regarding the employment of foreign citizens.

Relocating with Children — School Options in London

As a parent, you have a hard but rewarding job to provide the best education possible to your children. That said, you need to get familiar with the school options in the area where you are moving. London offers good public and state-funded schools; all depends on your family budget. We advise you to do detailed research on the council you choose to live in London and plan your relocation according to the start of the school terms. There will be a few significant differences between the Norwegian and British school systems you must be aware of.

• In the UK, all pupils must wear a uniform, and every school has its own design and colours. All students must wear them during school hours. The uniforms are mandatory, which means you are obligated to obtain them for your children.
• Kids in British schools have exams and get graded from an early age. In the UK, children start school at the age of five.
• There are individual schools in the UK that are in most parts autonomous. They must follow the national curriculum but have the freedom to choose the optional school subjects, the type of uniforms, their student exchange policy, how to spend their budget and how to manage their facilities.

Relocating to the UK with Pets

Like every country, the UK has its pet laws and you need to be aware of them if you are planning to move with your animal. If you are a dog owner you already are familiar with the breeds you are banned to have in Norway. Thankfully, there are pretty much the same on the Island, so you don’t have to leave your canine behind. The breeds that are not allowed in the UK are:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro

You can learn more about your rights on the official government page.

Exotic or wild animals need to be properly licensed, so before you pack your bags, do some research. If your pet is permitted to travel and live in the UK, there is still some documentation you need to fill. Here your moving coordinator can assist you. In addition, we have a detailed article looking at the post-Brexit changes in the rules and regulations in the UK where you can find more information about the procedure and necessary forms.

Moving to London from Norway with a Houseplant

Similar to pets, there are certain regulations when it comes to plants. The main idea is to not introduce invasive species to the British fauna that might damage it or put it at risk. You are allowed to bring to the UK plants, seeds and bulbs from Norway under certain conditions.

• Seeds – you can take with you up to 5 retail packed packets. However, keep in mind that the importation of potato seeds is prohibited.
• Plants – again, you can bring to the UK only 5.
• Bulbs (tubers, corms and rhizomes) – there is a weight limit of up to 2 kg per person.

Disclaimer: You can’t bring into the UK any ash, citrus or vine plants without the proper documentation.

Endangered plants are under the protection of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. There are severe penalties if you try to import them in the UK without the proper documentation.

If you wish to import any of the above or more than the stated quantities you will need a phytosanitary certificate.

That said, if you want to learn how to properly pack and prepare your plants for an international relocation, check out our ultimate house moving guide. There is even a cool infographic that will help you with the wrapping procedure.

Stephanie Cooper

Stephanie is a content marketing specialist for Top Removals for the past several years. She has extensive experience working with moving companies and knows her audience. Stephanie creates engaging and useful content helping the customers of Top Removals with their struggles and providing them with the most accurate insight.