How inheritance tax works in Norway
Norway levies no inheritance, estate or gift tax. Assets passing on death or by lifetime gift reach the recipient with no Norwegian succession charge in 2026.
Continuity governs cost basis: heirs step into the donor's purchase price, shielding history and holding period for shares, homes and cabins. Later sales are taxed as if the heir always owned the asset.
Dwellings, cabins and farms the deceased could have sold tax-free pass at market value instead. Farm succession caps the stepped-up value at three-quarters of sales value.
Tax rates at a glance
- Estate tax
- 0%Abolished 2014
- Inheritance tax
- 0%
- Gift tax
- 0%
- Later share sale
- 37.84%
Who benefits most
These profiles tend to benefit most when the rules match their real residence, payroll and business setup.
FamiliesInvestorsHigh earnersExpatsFamily offices
Watch out for
- Zero succession tax does not erase latent gains. Inherited shares carry 37.84% on the full embedded gain when the heir eventually sells.
- Continuity needs documentation. Heirs should secure the donor's purchase records, shielding balances and holding dates with the estate papers.
- Foreign assets can face succession tax abroad. Norwegian exemption does not shield cabins or accounts in countries that still levy estate tax.
- Wealth tax continues for heirs yearly. A tax-free inheritance can still generate a 1% annual bill from the next January.
Frequently asked questions
Does Norway have inheritance tax?
No. Norway abolished inheritance and gift tax in 2014 and charges nothing on succession.
Are gifts taxed in Norway?
No. Lifetime gifts are fully tax-free, though the recipient inherits the donor's cost basis for a later sale.
What tax do heirs pay on inherited shares?
Nothing on receipt. A later sale pays 37.84% on the gain measured from the original owner's cost and shielding.