These are the best Employer of Record companies in Norway:
- INS Global
- Remote
- Deel
- Oyster
- Globalization Partners
- Papaya Global
Expanding into Norway can be challenging for companies without a registered presence. Working with an employer of record in Norway makes it possible to hire employees legally while the EOR manages all local employment, payroll, and tax compliance.
You keep full control over your team’s day-to-day work while staying fully compliant with Norwegian regulations.
An EOR handles every legal and administrative aspect of employment: drafting contracts, processing payroll, managing social security contributions, and reporting to Norwegian authorities. This allows you to focus on operations and growth instead of navigating complex local labor laws.
The model is ideal for companies that want to test the Norwegian market, hire remote talent, or build a small team before establishing a permanent entity. It’s a practical solution to scale quickly while avoiding costly compliance mistakes.
In some cases, companies may also evaluate alternatives such as a PEO in Norway depending on their long-term expansion strategy.
In the following sections, we’ll explain how an Employer of Record works in Norway, what benefits it offers compared to opening a local entity, and the key legal and operational details every company should know before hiring in the country.
1. INS Global
INS Global is a leading Employer of Record (EOR) provider that helps international companies hire employees in Norway without creating a local entity.
With nearly two decades of experience in global expansion and HR compliance, INS Global ensures every aspect of employment aligns with Norwegian labor laws and tax regulations.
The company takes care of all employment administration including contract drafting, payroll processing, tax withholding, social security contributions, and benefit management while clients retain full operational control over their teams.
What sets INS Global apart is its localized expertise combined with a dedicated in-country support team.
This allows businesses to navigate Norway’s detailed employment framework confidently, from onboarding to offboarding, without facing compliance risks or unexpected costs.
Key features of INS Global:
- End-to-end EOR and payroll services in Norway and 100+ countries
- Full compliance with Norwegian labor, tax, and pension (OTP) obligations
- Support for both remote and on-site employees
- Streamlined onboarding, contracts, and benefits through an integrated HR platform
- Dedicated account manager and legal experts with local insight
- Smooth transition from EOR to local entity when scaling operations
Thanks to its combination of technology, personalized service, and deep regulatory understanding, INS Global offers one of the most reliable and comprehensive EOR solutions for companies looking to expand into Norway efficiently and compliantly.
2. Remote
Remote is a well-known EOR and global HR platform that allows companies to hire and pay employees in Norway without setting up a legal entity. It provides a simple digital interface, enabling users to manage contracts, payroll, and compliance in one place.
The platform supports salary payments in NOK, transparent cost breakdowns, and automatic tax compliance. However, its support is mostly online, which may not suit businesses needing more personalized, local assistance.
3. Deel
Deel offers one of the most comprehensive EOR and contractor management platforms worldwide, supporting full-time and freelance hires in Norway.
It handles everything from employment contracts to tax filings and benefits administration, giving companies a centralized dashboard for all HR operations.
While Deel’s technology is strong, some local complexities like Norwegian holiday pay (feriepenger) or regional social contribution rates require manual adjustments, making it better for tech-savvy teams comfortable with self-service tools.
4. Oyster
Oyster focuses on helping distributed teams hire talent globally, including in Norway. It provides pre-vetted legal templates, country-specific employment guides, and tools to ensure compliance with local labor laws and benefits.
Oyster is ideal for remote-first organizations that value simplicity and quick onboarding. However, its coverage of local payroll details, such as pension obligations or overtime rules, may be less detailed than providers with dedicated Norwegian expertise.
5. Globalization Partners (G-P)
Globalization Partners, now branded as G-P, is a large-scale Employer of Record provider that supports hiring in Norway through its AI-driven G-P Meridian platform.
The company offers fast setup, automated payroll, and full compliance with Norwegian employment regulations.
G-P stands out for its global infrastructure and scalability, making it a strong option for enterprise-level clients. That said, smaller companies might find its pricing higher compared to more flexible or regionally focused EOR solutions.
6. Papaya Global
Papaya Global delivers a cloud-based EOR and payroll platform designed for international teams, including those operating in Norway. Its system integrates payroll data, benefits, and compliance into one dashboard, offering real-time insights into employment costs and reporting.
The platform is excellent for businesses seeking automation and analytics, but its localized HR support in Norway is more limited, making it better suited to companies that already have in-house HR knowledge or multi-country payroll experience.
What is an Employer of Record in Norway
An Employer of Record in Norway is a third-party organization that acts as the legal employer on behalf of a foreign company. This allows businesses to hire employees in Norway without opening a local subsidiary.
The EOR takes on all the legal and administrative responsibilities of employment, while you maintain full control over your team’s work and performance.
In practice, the EOR handles everything from employment contracts, payroll processing, and tax withholdings to social security contributions and mandatory pension plans (OTP).
It also manages reporting obligations such as the monthly a-melding, which is required by Norwegian authorities.
This model ensures that each hire complies with Norwegian labor laws, including working hours, paid vacation, sick leave, and notice periods, giving foreign employers peace of mind and legal protection.
Why the Employer of Record model is essential for operating in Norway
Norway has one of the most regulated labor markets in Europe, with detailed rules on employment contracts, benefits, and payroll reporting. Mistakes in these areas can quickly lead to compliance breaches, fines, or tax penalties.
Using an Employer of Record in Norway eliminates those risks by ensuring that every step of the employment process from onboarding to offboarding meets Norwegian legal standards.
This is especially important for companies without local HR or legal teams.
The EOR model is also essential for speed and flexibility. Instead of spending months setting up a legal entity, businesses can start hiring within days.
This makes it the preferred option for testing new markets, building remote teams, or hiring a few key employees before committing to a long-term local presence.
In short, an EOR allows companies to operate in Norway efficiently, legally, and confidently, combining local compliance with global mobility.
How an Employer of Record in Norway works
An Employer of Record (EOR) in Norway acts as the official employer for your staff under Norwegian law, even though your company manages their daily work, goals, and performance.
This setup allows you to hire local talent quickly and compliantly, without registering a Norwegian legal entity.
The process typically involves five key steps:
- Role definition and offer: You decide on the role, salary, benefits, and working conditions for your new hire.
- Local contract setup: The EOR drafts and signs a Norwegian-compliant employment contract, ensuring it meets all local legal standards.
- Employee registration: The EOR registers the employee with the tax authorities (Skatteetaten) and ensures the worker obtains a D-number and tax deduction card (skattekort).
- Payroll and reporting: Every month, the EOR manages payroll, deductions, employer contributions, and files the required a-melding report with Norwegian authorities.
- Ongoing compliance and HR support: The EOR administers vacation pay (feriepenger), pension plans (OTP), sick leave, and ensures all HR policies comply with local laws.
Throughout the process, your company keeps operational control over the employee’s work while the EOR assumes all legal liability for employment compliance in Norway.
Legal and Compliance Considerations
Operating in Norway requires strict adherence to employment, tax, and social security regulations under Norwegian labor law, and an EOR ensures that each of these obligations is met. However, it’s still important to understand the main legal considerations.
Employment contracts must be written and detailed, specifying working hours, pay, benefits, and notice periods. Norwegian law expects transparency and full disclosure of employment conditions.
Employers are required to pay social security contributions (typically 14.1% of gross salary in Zone I) and contribute to a mandatory occupational pension plan (OTP) of at least 2% of the employee’s salary.
In addition, holiday pay must be accrued at a minimum rate of 10.2%, or 12% if a fifth vacation week is granted.
All employers must report salaries, deductions, and employment information each month through the a-melding system, with a strict deadline of the 5th day of the following month.
Late or incorrect reporting can lead to fines.
Sick leave regulations also require employers to pay for up to 16 calendar days of employee absence before state benefits apply.
These and other benefits are tightly regulated by NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration).
Finally, EORs must handle employee data according to GDPR and Norwegian privacy laws, ensuring secure processing and proper consent.
A reliable Employer of Record in Norway combines local HR expertise, legal precision, and compliant payroll operations to help foreign companies hire confidently and operate seamlessly within Norwegian law.
5 Common Mistakes Companies Make When Hiring in Norway
Hiring in Norway requires navigating detailed labor, tax, and compliance regulations. Many foreign companies underestimate these requirements, leading to penalties or employee dissatisfaction. Below are some of the most frequent errors.
1. Misclassifying employees as contractors
Norwegian authorities maintain strict definitions of employment. Treating a full-time worker as an independent contractor can lead to back taxes, unpaid benefits, and legal fines for misclassification.
2. Overlooking mandatory benefits
Employers must provide holiday pay (feriepenger), occupational pension contributions (OTP), and social security payments. Failing to meet these obligations breaches compliance and damages employer reputation.
3. Missing monthly reporting deadlines
The a-melding report must be submitted to authorities by the 5th day of each month. Late or inaccurate submissions can result in automatic fines and further scrutiny from tax authorities.
4. Using non-compliant employment contracts
Every employee must have a written contract detailing working hours, job description, salary, notice period, and employment terms. Incomplete or vague contracts often violate Norwegian labor law.
5. Misunderstanding holiday pay rules
Holiday pay is a legal entitlement, not a performance bonus. Employers must accrue it throughout the year and pay it during the following year’s vacation period not as part of the regular monthly salary.
Avoiding these mistakes requires a deep understanding of Norwegian labor legislation and a disciplined approach to payroll, reporting, and employee management.
How to choose the Right Employer of Record
Selecting the right Employer of Record (EOR) is one of the most important decisions for companies entering Norway.
The ideal provider ensures full compliance, accuracy in payroll, and a positive employee experience from day one.
1. Proven local expertise
Choose an EOR with a strong understanding of Norwegian labor law, tax structures, and payroll compliance. Local specialists can prevent costly errors in reporting and contract management.
2. Transparent pricing and reporting
A trustworthy provider offers clear cost structures, detailed payroll breakdowns, and transparent communication about taxes, deductions, and benefits.
3. Reliable HR technology
Modern EOR services should include integrated digital platforms for onboarding, payroll, and document management, reducing human error and improving process efficiency.
4. Employee-focused service
Ensure the EOR provides local-language support, timely salary payments, and access to employee assistance for HR or payroll questions. These details strongly influence employee satisfaction and retention.
5. Flexibility for business growth
Select an EOR that allows for scalable hiring and smooth transitions whether adding new employees or moving to your own legal entity later on.
A well-chosen Employer of Record offers not just compliance, but also strategic stability, allowing your business to grow confidently in Norway’s highly regulated employment landscape.
Why INS Global is a Strong Employer of Record Partner
INS Global stands out as a trusted Employer of Record (EOR) partner in Norway thanks to its combination of local compliance expertise, personalized service, and global reach.
With nearly two decades of experience supporting international companies, INS Global simplifies hiring and payroll for businesses that want to grow in Norway without opening a local entity.
The company’s strength lies in its deep understanding of Norwegian labor law, including the country’s strict requirements for a-melding reporting, holiday pay (feriepenger), pension contributions (OTP), and social security obligations.
By managing all of these on behalf of clients, INS Global ensures full legal compliance and error-free operations.
INS Global’s approach goes beyond administrative processing.
Each client is assigned a dedicated account manager who coordinates onboarding, payroll, and benefits with in-country legal and HR experts.
This balance between technology and human guidance gives companies the confidence to focus on growth while INS Global handles compliance and day-to-day employment management.
Key advantages of partnering with INS Global in Norway:
- End-to-end EOR support covering recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and compliance
- Full alignment with Norwegian employment and tax legislation
- Access to local HR and legal professionals with in-depth knowledge of the market
- Transparent cost structure with no hidden fees
- Streamlined digital platform for contract management, benefits, and payroll
- Ability to scale or transition from EOR to a local entity when business needs evolve
By combining international capability with localized Norwegian expertise, INS Global provides one of the most reliable and efficient EOR solutions available.
It helps companies hire quickly, pay accurately, and operate smoothly, ensuring compliance and peace of mind at every stage of expansion.
