CAS provides accommodation for all fellows who do not live in Oslo through Frogner House Apartments (FHA).

Accommodation is available throughout the academic year, from mid-August to the end of June. The apartments are within walking distance of the Centre, and hold a high standard.

For fellows bringing their partner or other family members, FHA provides apartments of various sizes.

The apartments are fully furnished, including bed linen, towels, kitchenware, Wi-Fi and cable TV. All apartments come equipped with washing machines and dryers.

Fellows who wish to bring a pet or are in need of parking space should contact CAS, as this must be pre-approved by the administration and FHA.

FHA will send information about the apartment and its location by e-mail approximately four weeks before arrival, along with their house rules. Fellows are required to carefully read, sign, and return the form.

Fellows will be held financially responsible for costs relating to damage to the apartment resulting from negligent or willful behaviour.

The Centre facilitates fellows who wish to have their family with them in Oslo.

Note: Family members must in some cases apply for their own residence permits. Consult the 'Visa information' section for more information.

For fellows bringing their partner or other family members, Frogner Houes Apartments (FHA) provides apartments of various sizes, and the Centre can assist in the process of finding and applying for schools and kindergartens for children. 

Schools near CAS

The German School in Oslo (DSO)

The French School in Oslo (LFO)

Manglerud Skole (International classes, ages 6-15)

Ruseløkka School (Norwegian as teaching language)

For other schools, please consult Oslo municipality's websites.

Kindergartens near CAS

Frogner International Pre-School

For Norwegian kindergartens, please consult Oslo municipality's websites.

Deadline for applying for a kindergarten spot is 1 March for the coming fall. Applications received after this date will be placed on a waiting list. The oldest child without a spot will be prioritised.

Fellows should notify CAS as early as possible if they need help with enrolment.

All CAS fellows are asked to not use the address for their accommodation as their postal address, as not all apartments have a mailbox.

Fellows should instead list CAS' postal address as their own:

Pay with card

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Norway. Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express card holders are able to pay virtually anywhere. 

Stores in Norway are also required to accept cash.

ATMs in Norway

‘Minibanks’ (the Norwegian name for ATMs) are found adjacent to many banks and around busy public places, such as shopping centres. You will be able to withdraw money from most of them by using an international credit card such as MasterCard or Visa.

Opening a bank account

Note: CAS strongly recommends not opening a bank account in Norway unless you are staying in the country for a longer period of time (six months or more).

To open a bank account, you need to be a resident of Norway.

You also need to have a Norwegian National Identity Number. This is issued by the local tax assessment office to those entitled to stay in the country for more than six months. For information about obtaining a national ID number, visit the Taxnorway website.

Note: The case processing time for national ID numbers is about two weeks, provided you have completed the EU/EEA registration or visa/residence permit process.

If your stay does not exceed six months, you will need a D number, not a Norwegian National Identity Number. In some cases, banks can order a D number on your behalf as part of their account opening process. For information about obtaining a D number on your own, visit the Taxnorway website.

When visiting the bank, in addition to your national ID number or D number, you should also bring:

- A valid passport

- A passport-sized photo

- Your formal invitation letter from CAS

- In some cases, a letter of recommendation from your bank in your native country is also requested

You cannot open a bank account from abroad as you, in most cases, must show up at the bank in person.

Note: Processing times for opening a bank account differ between banks and may take as long as one month.

Getting to Oslo from Oslo Airport

The easiest way to get from Oslo Airport to downtown Oslo is by train. 

After passing through baggage claim and customs, follow the signs to the train station. You can either ride the more frequent (and more expensive) Airport Express, or the less frequent (and less expensive) Vy train (lines R10, R11, L12). Get off at Oslo Central Station (Oslo sentralstasjon).

The Vy trains and some Airport Express trains also stop at the National Theatre station (Nationaltheatret), which is closer to CAS and may be closer to fellows' accommodation in Oslo.

Public transportation

Oslo is served by a number of different public transportation options: bus, ferry, metro, train, and tram. The system is operated by the common management company Ruter.

Ruter offers two smartphone apps: RuterBillett, which you can use to purchase transit passes, and RuterReise, which you can use to plan your journey.

Physical tickets and reusable travelcards are also available for purchase at most metro stops and at sales outlets around the city. 

Note: If you purchase a reusable travelcard, remember to activate it by touching it to one of the validators located on the platform (if riding the metro) or on board (if riding buses and trams). You need only do this once.

Single-ride tickets can be purchased on board buses, ferries, and trains, but for an additional surcharge. Tickets are not sold on board trams and metro trains.

The public transportation system in Oslo runs on the honour system, but there are frequent ticket inspections. Passengers who fail to produce a valid ticket during an inspection will receive a fine.

The easiest way to get to CAS is by tram. Take tram line 13 in the direction of Bekkestua or Lilleaker, and get off at the stop called Skarpsno.

Bike rental

Oslo City Bike operates bikeshare stations around Oslo. The system is generally open from April to November, or until roads get too icy. Bikes are unlocked through their smartphone app. Download the app with the same name as the company and register your user to utilise their services.

You can either buy a season, month or day pass. The first hour of rental is included in the pass. Rental that surpass one hour will be charged with an additional fee of NOK 5 per 15 minutes.

At CAS

There is no alarm at CAS. A security guard from Securitas will check the premises every 24 hours (in the evenings). You may be asked to show ID.

There is, however, an alarm in the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters on the first and second floors. The alarm will not go off when entering the building through the front door and taking the elevator to CAS, but please do not wander farther into the Academy outside of office hours.

The entrance to the Centre and the Academy should always be locked. Please do not let strangers into the building. Ask anyone who is attempting to enter the building who they are here to visit before letting them in.

At your apartment

At your apartment, a security guard will service Frogner House’s phones at night in case of emergencies. There will also be security guards making the rounds in your building and neighbourhood at night. 

Fire safety

Please familiarise yourself with the emergency exit and fire extinguishers closest to your office (see the floor plans in the information booklet in your office).

When the alarm sounds, you must evacuate the building. We will meet on the lawn, between the flagpole and the garbage bins.

If the alarm stops while evacuating, do not go back inside! It may be the case that the fire has damaged the alarm system. The CAS administration will let you know when it is safe to go back inside. 

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted indoors. This applies to all of CAS’ facilities, as well as at the Academy and your apartment at Frogner House. Violations will result in fines.

At Frogner House, the fine is NOK 5 000.