Housing types in Norway: freehold, owner section and cooperative
What you own in each form and what it means for loans, charges and the freedom to let.
Applies to: Norway. Reviewed 2026-09-25.
Key takeaways
- In an owner section you own the flat as a unit within an owners' association.
- In a cooperative you buy a share with the right to live there, and the cooperative often has shared debt.
- Most homes can be bought by foreigners without a concession; agricultural properties are an exception.
Comparison
| Type | You own | Document duty | Shared debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freehold house | House and plot | Yes | No |
| Owner section | The section and a share of the association | Yes | Rarely |
| Housing cooperative | A share with right of residence | No | Often |
| Share apartment | Shares in a housing company | No | Often |
Under the Concession Act most residential properties can be acquired without a concession, while agricultural properties and some larger undeveloped plots may require one.
Questions to ask
- May I let the home, and does that need board approval?
Red flags
- The plot is large or classed as agricultural without the concession question being settled.
Sources
- The Concession Act (Lovdata)
- The Housing Cooperatives Act (Lovdata)
- The Owner Sections Act (Lovdata)