A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Norway
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Norway: What You Need to Know
If you’re going to be filming in Norway, you may be pleased to know that you will not need a permit for any kind of shoot that doesn’t interfere with everyday life in public areas nor on uncultivated land, as long as it’s not in the capital city of Oslo.
However, should your shoot require closing off streets and other public throughways, diverting traffic or bringing any kind of motorised transport onto an uncultivated location, then it’s likely you will need to dot your i’s and cross your t’s with local authority permissions. The film fixer you work with in Norway will be able to guide you with respect to this.
Timing Your Norway Film Production around the Weather
Norway is a visually stunning country, but it does have some weather quirks that you’ll need to be aware of when filming here. For starters, it’s important to always be prepared for a sudden shift in weather. It’s not unknown for a beautifully sunny day to end with a snowstorm, so make sure you have the right equipment and protection for such events!
If your shoot is taking place in Northern Norway, dress accordingly. This is the Arctic, and so you can expect freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and extreme conditions such as strong winds and whiteouts.
Of course, this makes for dramatic cinematic scenes—but it can be tough on the crew, so be mindful of that!
It’s also important to be aware that in areas above the Arctic Circle, such as Svalbard and Tromsø, experience the “Polar Night”, which is 24 hours of darkness every day throughout the winter months! Of course, this again can offer some creative filming opportunities, but if you plan to film over an extended period during this time, you may need some special permits to do so.
Inland regions such as Gudbrandsdalen offer similar snowy locations but with greater climate stability, while coastal areas, boasting magnificent fjords, can be even milder, though coastal storms can brew up suddenly.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
Renting film equipment in Norway is not a problem, as the country has its own film and TV industries and therefore a large supply of film equipment rental businesses.
With most of the most up-to-date equipment available, it’s generally much cheaper for production companies and filmmakers of all kinds to organise their equipment on the ground here. However, should you wish to bring your equipment with you, though it will probably be more expensive, there won’t be any additional customs taxes as Norway is an ATA Carnet country.
Norway also boasts a large professional pool of skilled, English-speaking crew members. However, having the extra advantage of speaking this universal language does mean their rates are generally higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
Yes, Norway is an ATA carnet country.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes, it is safe to film in Norway.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
Not usually, but it can depend on nationality. It is always best to check with the Norwegian Embassy in your country before travelling.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
Yes, you need a local company for all permits and when dealing with authorities.
Do I need a permit for drones?
If you meet all the requirements of the Open Category, you will likely not need a drone permit. However, you must still register as a drone operator and make sure that you have liability insurance.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
Yes. The Norwegian Film Production Incentive offers a 25% cash rebate on all local spending and is available for film and TV productions with international distribution. To qualify, productions must spend at least NOK 4 million in the country, and will have to undergo a cultural and production test
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
Permission to shoot in a national park depends on the nature of your project. Filming may be allowed if you have received a permit from the Norwegian Environmental Protection Agency, though your project will need to comply with strict guidelines.
Working with Fixer Norway
We are a popular and connected production support company that has worked up-and-down the peninsula on all sorts of corporate and commercial video projects. As an English-speaking company, we’re often the first call for foreign filmmakers who want us to be their eyes on the ground, helping them with location scouting, casting and crew hire, administrative support, logistics, and more.
Being affiliated with the hugely respected global network Storytailors has widened our clientele base, enabling us to work on collaborative and multi-location projects for big brands including Adidas, Netflix, the BBC, National Geographic and more.