Remote,
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Working from Lisbon for a team in Oslo: what changes and what does not
Pay, tax, hours and the two trips a year. A practical look at working for a team in another country.
Astrid Halvorsen
Editor, Nordic listings
About one in three remote roles on Carriera is filled by someone living in a different country from the team. It is one of the best ways to earn northern pay with southern rent. It also comes with a few things nobody tells you until the first payslip.
Pay is set by the team, not by your city
Most teams pay remote roles from one band, wherever you live. Some adjust by country. Ask which one before the offer, not after. If they adjust, ask to see the band for where you live, not just the headline number.
You will probably be a contractor first
Many teams hire abroad through a local partner or as a contractor for the first months. That changes your tax, your holidays and your notice period. None of it is bad, but it should all be in writing before you resign from your current job.
The hours matter more than the distance
Lisbon is one hour behind Oslo. That is easy. A team in Helsinki with someone in Lisbon is two hours apart, and suddenly the morning standup is at seven. Before you say yes, look at the team’s calendar for a normal week and decide if you can live with it.
The trips are part of the job
Most remote teams meet in person two or three times a year. Ask who pays, how long the trips are and whether they are optional. The answer tells you how much the team cares about the people who are not in the room every day.
What stays the same
The work. A good team is a good team whether you share a desk or a time zone. Pick the people first, then the place.
