Healthcare for those who visit Norway without applying for protection (asylum)

Anyone who stays in Norway is entitled to necessary emergency healthcare when required.

If you need medical care you can contact the out-of-hours medical service ("legevakt" in Norwegian) over the phone at 116 117.

In the event of serious or life-threatening illness or injury, call 113.

Everyone is entitled to necessary assistance related to infection control. This means that you - after a professional assessment - may be entitled to vaccination, information and other preventive assistance necessary. You have the right to medical assessment, treatment and care if you have an infectious disease.

Pregnant women are entitled to essential healthcare before, during and after delivery, and are also entitled to abortion.

Children have full healthcare rights. Certain exceptions apply, such as the right to a regular GP ("fastlege" in Norwegian). Children thus have further healthcare rights than adults.

You are not entitled to reimbursement of your expenses for medical treatment by the Norwegian state if you are in Norway on a visitor's visa and reside in a country that does not have an agreement with Norway on mutual right to healthcare.

If you are in Norway on a visitor's visa, you need to have health insurance that will cover your healthcare expenses. You will have to cover the expenses yourself if you do not have a health insurance.

If you need urgent medical care, the health services cannot reject you even if you will not be able to pay for the service. The health services might send you a bill afterwards, but the health institution will be able to cover the cost of the healthcare if you are unable to pay.

In Norway, all vaccination is voluntary.

Anyone above the age of 15 years old will be offered the coronavirus vaccine after arriving in Norway. Further information can be found in the Coronavirus immunisation programme (fhi.no) (Norwegian only)

All children and youth have the right to free of charge vaccination against a number of diseases.

Children who arrive in Norway will be offered the vaccines they have not already taken but that are part of the Norwegian Childhood Immunisation Programme.

Talk to the health services if you have questions about vaccinations for your child. Vaccination of children is optional and for you to decide.

Contact the local municipality if you – or your child - would like to be vaccinated.

You are entitled to healthcare in Norway when you have registered as a refugee or applied for protection (asylum) and the application has not yet been finally decided. You are encouraged to register as an asylum seeker in Norway if you are fleeing the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian citizens who apply for protection in Norway will receive temporary collective protection in Norway. For help to register as an asylum seeker, contact the local police.

Information about applying for protection (asylum) (udi.no)

Information on your rights to healthcare as an asylum seeker or refugee