Tourists outside the EU/EEA
As a tourist, you are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses for health care services outside the EEA/EU.
Illustration: Morten Rakke / Helfo
Your rights
As a tourist, you are not entitled to reimbursement for health care services outside the EEA/EU. Therefore, you should take out travel insurance that covers medical expenses.
You are considered a tourist when you intend to travel abroad for a period of less than 12 months. This applies regardless of the purpose of the stay.
For vacations abroad of more than 12 months, membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme shall cease from the first day. Read more about being a tourist at the Nav (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) website (only in Norwegian).
Example
Hege intends to travel on vacation to Thailand. She will stay there for seven months. She knows that as a tourist she has no rights to be covered for healthcare expenses under the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, and she knows that she should have travel insurance. Hege's friend Kari was vacationing in the United States, and when Kari became ill, she had to be admitted to a hospital there. Since Kari did not have travel insurance, she had to cover all the expenses for hospital treatment, which was expensive.
If you fall ill
If you fall ill and require examination or treatment in the country in which you are on vacation, you cannot claim coverage from the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. You must contact your insurance company.
If you return to Norway and choose to receive treatment here, this treatment will be covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. You must cover the trip home yourself.
Example
Hege develops dysentery and requires immediate treatment. As a tourist outside the EU/EEA, she cannot claim coverage for the expenses of the treatment. Hege has travel insurance that covers the costs of her treatment.
Guidance Helsenorge
If you have any questions, please call Guidance Helsenorge: +47 23 32 70 00
Right to coverage of expenses for childbirth, dialysis and oxygen treatment
The Norwegian National Insurance Scheme can cover necessary expenses related to birth, dialysis or oxygen treatment in the country in which you are on vacation.
Here you will find more information:
Example
Hege's father Ole is also on the trip. He regularly needs for dialysis, and he has familiarized himself well with the rules for applying for reimbursement for the costs of dialysis treatment.
Contact Guidance Helsenorge
Contact Guidance Helsenorge if you are not sure whether you are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card or coverage for healthcare services abroad:
- Telephone: +47 23 32 70 00
- Fax: +47 33 34 73 73