Reduced withholding tax on share dividends for foreign shareholders

Generally, Norwegian companies deduct 25 percent withholding tax on share dividends. As a foreign shareholder, you may be entitled to a lower withholding tax rate for dividend payments you receive.

Two ways to obtain a lower withholding tax rate

You can obtain a lower tax rate in two different ways.

Your bank deducts the correct withholding tax upon the dividend payment

Your bank applies the correct withholding tax rate immediately when the dividend is paid to you. This way, you do not have to actively do anything yourself.

You apply for a refund after the dividend payment

If your bank does not apply the correct tax rate on the dividend payment, you can claim a refund afterwards. You can find our documentation requirements and application forms for refund in the guide at the bottom of this page.

Please note that the case processing time for refund applications is up to 2 years. We therefore recommend you contact your bank and check if you can get the correct tax deduction on future dividend payments.

Banks that are approved to apply the correct tax rate

Your bank can ensure that a lower tax rate is applied at the time of dividend payment. This way you avoid applying for a refund from the Norwegian Tax Administration.

The list below shows all banks that has been approved by the Norwegian Tax Administration to apply a lower withholding tax rate than 25 percent.

The list shows the bank's name, the country of the bank's headquarters, and whether the bank is authorized to apply withholding tax at

Note that the exemption method does not apply to personal shareholders (private individuals).

To see more information about the bank, click on the banks name. This will redirect you to the Financial Supervisory Authority's page of the bank.

Documentation requirements and application forms

See what you need to do to obtain a reduced withholding tax rate directly at the time of dividend, and how to apply for a refund if too much withholding tax has already been deducted.

Here you will also find our documentation requirements and relevant application forms.

If you represent a shareholder, choose the options that suit your client best.