Why this NRI couple in Norway doesn't mind paying half their income in taxes

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. When Sutirtha Chakraborty and Jayita Chatterjee moved to Norway in 2017, the decision wasn’t driven by money, it was driven by time. A senior doctor in India, Chakraborty was offered a role at a government hospital in Norway.

The opportunity promised a more predictable work schedule, a slower pace of life, and the chance to practise medicine in a top-tier healthcare system. However, the move came at a cost for Chatterjee, who traded a stable mid-career role in a multinational bank in India for more than two years of uncertainty before she could re-enter the workforce. “We knew it was a leap of faith," recalled Chakraborty.

“My wife had a solid career in India. In Norway, she would have to start from scratch after learning the language. But we decided to experiment with life." Nearly nine years into their move, the family’s finances have taken on a distinctly Scandinavian flavour—high costs and high taxes offset by strong job security, predictable work hours, and a social safety that covers their long-term financial goals such as retirement and their 13-year-old son’s education.

In the latest edition of Mint’s series on non-resident Indians (NRIs) living and working abroad, the couple shares how their experiment has worked, with a few trade-offs. The logistics of moving to Norway were relatively smooth, largely because Chakraborty already had a confirmed job offer with a government hospital. Getting a visa was straightforward, and both visa and relocation costs were covered by his employer.

Financially, his own career trajectory remained intact. “The salary offer was good, and healthcare salaries are competitive here," he said. Chatterjee, however, had it harder.