Belgian Economic Mission to Norway #BEmissionNOR
Departure in:
  • Brussels country flag
    Brussels
    17h48
    13ºC
    Clouds
  • Oslo country flag
    Oslo
    17h48
    6ºC
    Clouds

Business habits

In Norwegian business culture, there are a number of work values to bear in mind in order not to miss out on opportunities. 

  • Punctuality is essential. Best to be five minutes early. 

  • The working day begins and ends about an hour earlier than in Belgium.

  • Overtime is quite normal in Belgium but considered uncommon in Norway.

  • Norwegians are willing to have a business lunch, but much less social or professional obligations in the evening. 

  • After a sober and cordial greeting, a brief presentation of their company and their role in it, Norwegians like to get to know the person behind the job with some small talk. After all, Norwegians like to do business based on trust. However, they also appreciate brevity and focus: What is being offered or required? How does that possibly fit into the business model? They expect all that from you, too.  

  • Norwegians are not so formal in their dealings. They are very quick to use the first name; even uninvited. They will always expressly thank you for a business lunch and expect the same from you.

  • Norwegians do not like to be put under any kind of pressure, including time or performance pressure. "Me stress." 

  • So do not push too hard to convince them that you are right or that your proposal is pertinent. There will be no breakthrough that way. It may prove counterproductive.  If necessary, let it sink in for a bit, then take a pulse later on to continue the discussion if necessary.
     

Language

Norway has several official languages. The most common used in Oslo is Norwegian (Bokmål). Norwegians have a very high proficiency level in English, ranking third in Europe and fourth in the world, according to the 2022 EF English Proficiency Index.