The Department of Finance of Norway has published an overview of rule changes within its remit, with most measures taking effect on July 1, 2026. On the financial markets side, the package amends several sector laws. Changes to the Financial Institutions Act allow firms to make ongoing loans to affiliated undertakings without that being treated as licensable financing business, align board member requirements for subsidiaries of firms based in another European Union or European Economic Area country with those for Norwegian firms, expand information sharing to detect crime, and give the ministry rulemaking power on cost recovery when the Banks' Guarantee Fund performs tasks for Finanstilsynet. The Securities Trading Act is also changed so electronic communication between issuers and shareholders can rely on passive consent rather than explicit consent if the general meeting has approved that approach, while amendments to the Financial Supervision Act and the DORA Act adjust supervisory powers and allow for regulations on DORA coverage for the Norwegian Natural Perils Pool and on Norges Bank recovering costs for advanced cyber resilience testing. The update also confirms that a new standalone law on business crowdfunding implementing the European Union Crowdfunding Regulation will take effect on Aug. 1, 2026. Outside financial services, tax measures include raising the lower housing valuation threshold in wealth tax to NOK 14 million from NOK 10 million and increasing the pension tax credit, both from Jan. 1, 2026, as well as introducing tax and reporting obligations for the youth activity allowance from July 1, 2026. Duty and customs changes include a CO2 tax refund scheme for emissions trading scheme covered businesses for mineral products bought in January and February 2026, a narrow adjustment to the anti-double-taxation safety valve in the new VAT rules for international trade in services, higher customs duties on agricultural goods and fertiliser from Russia and Belarus from July 1, 2026, and a new registration scheme under the Customs Administration for Norway-based operators that need an identification number under European Union acts incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
Department of Finance (Norway)2026-06-23
Norway's Department of Finance outlines 1 July rule changes across finance laws tax and customs
Norway's Department of Finance has issued an overview of rule changes taking effect mainly from July 1, 2026 across financial markets, tax, duties and customs. The financial sector measures amend the Financial Institutions Act, Securities Trading Act, supervision rules and DORA, while a standalone crowdfunding law implementing the European Union Crowdfunding Regulation starts on Aug. 1, 2026. The package also includes wealth tax and pension tax credit changes from Jan. 1, 2026, a CO2 tax refund mechanism, higher duties on imports from Russia and Belarus, and a new customs registration scheme.