Norway to impose new tax on tourists

Norway is set to combat the scourge of over-tourism by imposing a new tax on overseas visitors.

From the dramatic fjords of the west coast to the Arctic majesty of the northern lights, Norway's beauty has long captivated visitors.

In 2024, Norway recorded 6.20 million international tourist arrivals but authorities expect to receive approximately 6.28 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Europe represents 80% of all arrivals with leading inbound markets being Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK.

But with tourism numbers climbing steadily, the country is preparing to introduce a tourist tax starting in summer 2026.

The purpose of the tax is "to help safeguard its natural treasures and alleviate strain on local infrastructure".

Under newly approved legislation, select municipalities can impose a 3% fee on overnight stays.

The fee will appear on hotel bills and of short-term rentals such as Airbnb. Cruise passengers will also be subject to the fee, but campsites and marinas will be exempt.

The move comes after Norway’s parliament rejected a proposal for a nationwide hotel tax.

It instead opted for a targeted, locally applied measure. Municipalities wishing to implement the tax must demonstrate that tourism is putting significant pressure on public facilities. They are also required to submit detailed plans on how the funds will be used, subject to review by the government.

The first cities expected to adopt the measure include Bergen, Tromsø, and possibly Oslo. Popular sites like the Geirangerfjord (above) - a UNESCO World Heritage site - and the Lofoten Islands are also likely candidates.

Tourism-related services will be the exclusive users of the fee revenue. It would include trail maintenance, public toilets, waste management, and visitor information systems.

Local governments will also have the flexibility to adjust the tax seasonally.

“We’re pleased the government avoided a blanket hotel tax,” said Kristin Krohn Devold, CEO of the Norwegian Hospitality Association.

“This approach allows for targeted action where it’s truly needed. Our goal is for this tax to remain the exception, not the rule.”

A formal review of the legislation will happen three years after its implementation, allowing adjustments based on its impact and effectiveness.

Fjord fiesta: Norway clamps down on cruise ships

Norway is the latest nation to clamp down on polluting cruise ships.

The Norwegians have flagged strict zero emissions regulations to help protect their pristine fjords.

Starting from 2026, small vessels up to 10,000 gross tonnage must have zero emission technology fitted to sail the fjords and other coastal routes, Travel Mole reports.

But Norway has given large cruise ships a more generous deadline of 2032 to install zero emissions tech.

The government acknowledges it will take time for the largest ships sailing in Norway to become compliant.

“The goal is to preserve the spectacular fjords and create sustainable tourism,” said Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, the climate and environment minister.

“The zero-emission requirement will drive technology development, reduce emissions, and ensure the World Heritage fjords remain attractive tourist destinations.”

The requirements include the use of alternative fuels, including biogas for smaller vessels, and the ability to hook up to shore power.

Norway has several fjords listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Image: Visit Norway 

More passengers left stranded as another European airline bites the dust

Hot on the heels of British-based airline FlyBe going out of business, Norwegian budget airline Flyr has shut up shop and filed for bankruptcy.

Headquartered in Oslo and based out of Oslso Airport, Gardermoen, the airline operated domestic flights as well as between Norway and over a dozen leisure destinations across Europe.

The airline was only launched in 2020 by the team behind now-defunct Norwegian flag carrier Braathens.

Earlier this week, rhe cash-strapped airline halted all flights and ticket sales.

It said it had failed to raise further cash to continue for its operations.

"There is no longer a realistic opportunity to achieve a solution for the short-term liquidity situation,” Flyr said in a statement.

“All departures and ticket sales have been cancelled.”

More than 400 employees are expected to lose their jobs.

There was no immediate advice from Flyr to passengers stranded but airlines SAS and Norwegian said they’d sell available seats at special fares for those holding Flyr tickets.

Travel insurance usually doesn’t cover disruptions caused by bankruptcies, and any claims for money lost on prepaid hotels would need to join other creditor claims to the bankruptcy trustee.

Passengers and other creditors can file their claims on the estate by email to flyr@kvale.no

Flyr operated 12 Boeing 737 aircraft to destinations including Brussels, Prague, Paris, Berlin, London Gatwick and Edinburgh.

Norway ready to welcome visitors

I visited Norway many years ago and was impressed.

A friend was living in lovely Stavanger (above). It was so cold that the water at the edge of the North Sea was slushy and trying to freeze. 

But Norway is certainly on my list of places to visit again.

Think the northern lights and the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle; the world-famous fjords surrounded by spectacular mountains and glaciers; lovely cities like Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger and Tromsø.

Norway is opening up to tourists post-Covid and has now lifted restrictions on testing and quarantine.

There is no longer a requirement to test on or after arrival, and close contacts will no longer have to quarantine.

There is no longer testing at the border of Norway whether you come by land, sea or air. 

Rules for quarantining and isolation if you should test positive for Covid, or if you have been in close contact with an infected person while in Norway are also eased. 

If you test positive for Covid while you are in Norway, you must isolate yourself, but you can end the isolation after four days from when the symptoms appeared, and you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours. 

All adult travellers must have a Covid certificate and still register before entering the country. 

For best advice on Norway, click on www.visitnorway.com.