Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Buying a wooden villa in Norway may give rise to a lot of questions. We will do anything possible to provide you with all the information and leave nothing unclear. That is the reason why we have collected the most common questions. Question from people who are interested in investing in a luxurious wooden villa in Norway.
We hope that your question is among them. Should it not be, then feel free to contact us.
T | 055 5191968
E | info@portula.nl
About Norway
How is the transfer of immovable property arranged in Norway?
In Norway, transfer takes place notarial, via a solicitor. Being personally present is not required. The solicitor has a duty of investigation, he/she will look into the legal status of the register-bound property.
Must real estate transfer tax be paid in Norway, as is the case in the Netherlands?
Yes, this amounts to 2.5%. This only applies to the plot, not to other costs.
What are the climatic conditions like in Norway?
Norway has a very fluctuating climate. In general, the west of Norway sees much more precipitation than the eastern part. As a result, the dry eastern part of Norway has substantially more sun hours and more stable winters.
Is it possible to buy a building plot in Norway, as a foreigner?
Yes, for a non-resident of Norway it is easy to have immovable property registered, so there cannot be any uncertainty about the purchased plot. This also ensures correct financial settlement.
What is a D-number?
Norwegian residents are known to the authorities by way of a personal identification number; the D-number. In the Netherlands, this is known by the name: BSN-number. Non-residents of Norway are however able to apply for a D-number, to be able to register immovable property. We will be happy to arrange this for you.
Can I open a bank account in Norway?
Yes, most Norwegian banks are willing to open an account for non-residents of Norway. This however requires a D-number; this is a Norwegian personal identification number. We will be happy to arrange this for you.
What is the reachability to Norway like?
Norway is well reachable from the Netherlands, owing to excellent connections by car and by plane. Thanks to these connections, you can also use your holiday property also for a (long) weekend. We will be happy to help you find the optimal route to your holiday property.
By car
The easiest route by car, from the Netherlands to Norway, runs via Germany to North-Denmark. There, from the ports of Frederikshavn and Hirtshals, ferries from various companies make crossings to the south of Norway every day. The shortest crossing, from Hirtshals to Kristiansand, only takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. There are three companies that offer services between Denmark and Norway: Colorline, Stenaline and Fjordline. If you prefer something different, you can also take the ferry from Kiel (Germany) to Oslo. This journey is an adventure in itself, due to all the facilities on board. There are ferries that go to Norway from Denmark, Germany and Sweden. Most ferry companies offer packages for the transport of a vehicle and its passengers. Many times, there are discounts for seniors, students and children.
New sailing route
Since the spring of 2022, Holland Norway Lines offers a ferry service from Eemshaven to Kristiansand. This concerns a modern ferry with many facilities.
By aeroplane
There are more than 50 airports in Norway. This makes even remote locations, like the Lofoten, the North Cape and Spitsbergen easily reachable by plane. KLM flies to the conveniently located town of Sandefjord (Torp) three times per day, while low-cost carrier Ryanair provides regular services to both Sandefjord (Torp) and Rygge. Kristiansand and Oslo (Gardamoen) are also good possibilities.
Does Norway have a favourable investment climate?
Yes, absolutely. First of all, the transfer of property in the form of a plot or property will only cost 48 Euros in Norway. Effective yield can usually be obtained after approximately 8 weeks of letting. Specifically in the south of Norway, where we are most active, there are two distinctive peak seasons, allowing the possibility of many rentable weeks. In addition, the fixed and variable costs regarding the possession of a property in Norway, are much lower. The municipal costs for the sewer and for water are significantly lower than in the Netherlands.
What makes renting out via Portula (Fjord Rentals) so interesting?
We take care of marketing, technique and financial settlement for you. In addition, our local presence is of great added value. Matters like meeting guests upon arrival or departure, cleaning and maintenance will be taken over from you, by us. We will be happy to inform you, to discover whether this will be interesting for your personal situation.
About the villas
Are the wooden villas well-insulated?
Absolutely. Wood has a high natural insulation value. A timber-framed villa will also be fitted with additional insulation material in order to comply with the highest insulation-requirements of the Norwegian government. In case of a woodpile construction villa, the thickness of the logs will ensure insulating properties.
Is it possible to take out a mortgage loan for a villa in Norway?
Yes, there are lenders in Norway who are willing to finance a holiday villa up to a maximum of 60% of the purchase value. WernerHarsta will be happy to guide you through this process.
Are there any other possibilities to deduct the Norwegian VAT in the event of new development?
In a private situation, it is not possible to deduct the VAT. Corporate investments may offer possibilities though. Personal advice is needed to answer this. Werner Harsta will be happy to investigate this for your personal situation.