Tax Atlas

Norway vs United Kingdom: tax comparison for expats

On income tax alone, United Kingdom comes out lower at a typical $100,000 income — but it depends on your income and regime. Here is the head-to-head on residency rules, rates and special regimes, each figure sourced.

Effective income tax by income

Gross annual incomeNorwayUnited Kingdom
$50,00023.9%13.6%
$100,00028.3%24.1%
$200,00033.9%36.3%

Effective rate = total income tax ÷ gross income, run through each country’s full statutory scale (standard resident regime). Income tax only — excludes social security, deductions and sub-national taxes; cross-currency incomes use an indicative FX snapshot dated 2026-08-20. Try your own income and toggle special regimes →

Norway vs United Kingdom, side by side

 NorwayUnited Kingdom
Top income tax rate47.4%PwC Tax Summaries“For income exceeding NOK 1,467,201, the bracket tax rate is 17.8%.”View source · accessed 2026-08-2045%HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)“Additional rate over £125,140 45%”View source · accessed 2026-08-20
Tax-residency day threshold183 daysPwC Tax Summaries“Resident status is obtained when an alien resides in Norway more than 183 days in the course of any 12-month period or 270 days in any 36-month period.”View source · accessed 2026-08-20183 daysHM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)“you spent 183 or more days in the UK in the tax year”View source · accessed 2026-08-20
Signature tax regimeWealth tax: 1%PwC Tax Summaries“Total net wealth tax in 2026 is unchanged at 1%/1.1%.”View source · accessed 2026-08-20FIG regime (ex-non-dom): 4 yearsHM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)“On 6 April 2025 the 4-year foreign income and gains regime replaced the remittance basis”View source · accessed 2026-08-20
Digital nomad visaNoNo
Nomad-visa income requirement——

Every figure links to its source and verification date. Full guides: Norway · United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions

Is Norway or United Kingdom better for tax?

On income tax alone, United Kingdom has the lower effective rate at a $100,000 income (24.1% vs 28.3%). But the right answer depends on your income level, which special regime you qualify for, social security, and treaty relief — see the full comparison below.

Which has the lower tax-residency threshold, Norway or United Kingdom?

Norway treats you as tax resident after 183 days, and United Kingdom after 183 days. But ties like a home, family or economic centre can trigger residency on fewer days — never rely on a day count alone.

Does Norway or United Kingdom have a digital nomad visa?

Norway has no dedicated digital-nomad visa; United Kingdom has no dedicated digital-nomad visa. See the "Digital nomad visa" row below for the sourced detail.

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