Advertisement

KEY POINTS: What changes about life in Norway in October 2021 

Frazer Norwell
Frazer Norwell - [email protected]
KEY POINTS: What changes about life in Norway in October 2021 
Here's what changes in Norway during October. Photo by Chris Henry on Unsplash "

A new government is definitely on the way, but could new travel rules be introduced too? Here's what changes about life in Norway in October 2021. 

Advertisement

New government

Provided that coalition talks go smoothly over the next few days, we could be seeing a new government in October.

There's no guarantee that a government will be in place during October, but if the early talks are anything to go by then, it looks likely to happen. 

The government will likely take over in the first half of October, after the national budget is announced, due to the formalities involved, such as the government needing to resign and a date needing to be put in place for the new regime to take the reigns.

Labour leader Jonas Gahr Støre will lead the government, and he will, most likely, be joined in government by the Socialist Left Party and Centre Party. 

READ ALSO: What happens next in Norway as coalition talks to form next government begin

You can have a read of what the new government could mean for you here.

State budget 2022

Erna Solberg's outgoing government will present its state budget for 2022 on October 12th. After the budget is announced, it is widely expected that the prime minister will announce the government's resignation. 

Advertisement

After that, a cabinet meeting will be held, and the government will officially dissolve and hold the role of a "business ministry" until Støre's government formally takes over. 

New travel rules?

This is maybe more speculatory than solid at this point. Still, during October, Norway could make the next step in moving towards restriction-free travel to the country if the infection control situation remains stable. 

The Ministry of Justice, responsible for the country's border rules, hasn't set a date or provided anything more than provisional details on what could happen. 

During phase two of the government's strategy, changes would involve allowing more travellers from outside the EEA (EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) to travel to Norway. 

If you want to catch up on the travel rules that have already come into effect, then check out our latest guide

Travel advice is dropped

On the subject of travel, on October 1st, the advice to avoid all travel that is not strictly necessary to countries EU/EEA, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland will expire. 

Advertisement

Countries will now receive their travel advice based on the state of the pandemic, the health situation and the security in each country. 

The new travel advice should make it easier for travellers to get travel insurance. 

Munch Museum opens 

This one is for culture lovers and those who want to spend more time indoors as temperatures drop. Finally, after several delays, the much anticipated Munch Museum in Oslo will open on Friday, October 22nd. 

King Harald and Queen Sonja will open the museum located not too far from Oslo Opera House. 

The Munch Museum's (on the right) design has been a point of contention for Oslo residents. Photo by Gunnar Ridderström on Unsplash

"Throughout the weekend, we will be filling the museum and the area outside with experiences in the form of concerts, digital artwork, performance, light art, and surprises. All the exhibition halls are open, and our restaurants are ready with tempting menus," the museum stated in a press release.

The new museum is five times larger than the old Munch Museum and will contain the entire collection that painter Edvard Munch bequeathed to Oslo Municipality when he died. 

HBO Max launches

This is for those who want to avoid the autumn weather completely , including the trips to museums, cafes and bars. 

Streaming service HBO Max will launch and replace the existing HBO Nordic platform. In addition, the whole WarnerMedia catalogue will be available on the platform, which launches on October 26th. 

North Sea Link cable opens

The 720-kilometre-long (447-mile-long) North Sea Link cable, which will transfer electricity between the UK and Norway, will begin testing. 

The cable will deliver British wind energy to Norway, which will send hydropower to the UK in return. 

READ MORE: What are the knock-on effects of rising energy prices in Norway?

Unfortunately, the new cable is unlikely to ease the burden of rising electricity prices in the south of Norway as energy prices in the UK are still well above those in Norway. 

https://www.thelocal.no/20210915/what-changes-could-norways-new-government-make-to-taxes/

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also