Health insurance & healthcare in Norway explained

Jump right in:

• Pros & cons of the Norwegian healthcare system
• How healthcare works in Norway
• An overview of private health insurance
• How to find a doctor or dentist
• Giving birth in Norway

Pros

• All citizens and residents are insured by the NIS
• There is the option to opt-out of the public system and purchase private insurance
• Patients can choose their own GP from a government list
• The system offers high-quality care
• Annual out-of-pocket costs are capped at a low amount

Cons

• Not everything is covered under the NIS — cosmetic surgery, glasses, and contact lenses are paid out-of-pocket
• Patients can only switch between physicians twice per year
• There are significant wait times for some procedures
• Care can be denied if it’s not considered cost-effective
• Extra medical equipment and materials are the patient’s responsibility
• Specialized treatments such as physiotherapy require an additional deductible

Norway has a strong reputation for healthcare, consistently ranking among the top 5 countries in the World Health Index. You’ll find both public hospitals and private clinics in the country. Public hospitals are run by four Regional Health Authorities (RHA), overseen by the Ministry of Health and Care Services. Healthcare is universal, automatic, and provided regardless of age, race, gender, income, or area of residence, with primary health and social care managed at the municipal level.

Norway healthcare facts

• The life expectancy is 84.6 years for women and 81.4 years for men.
• The main causes of death are cardiovascular disease and cancer, consistent with broader European trends.
• Norway‘s health expenditure is one of the highest in Europe, reaching over 10% of the GDP.
• Norway has 3.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people, ensuring steady access to inpatient care across the country.
• With 5 practicing doctors per 1,000 people, Norway has one of the highest physician-to-patient ratios in Europe.
• An impressive 97% of eligible children in Norway are vaccinated against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).

What you should know about healthcare in Norway

In general, Norway has a high standard of health and healthcare. EU residents have access to the same health services in Norway as in their home country. Other visitors will be charged in full. Undocumented adult immigrants only have access to emergency acute care, but undocumented children have access to the same care as Norwegian citizens.

Why is Norway’s healthcare so expensive?

Norway’s healthcare system is financed through national and municipal taxes along with social security contributions. To some expats, Norway’s healthcare costs might seem high, but the system is built on a simple principle: everyone contributes a little so that no one is heavily burdened. High wages for healthcare workers, a geographically spread-out population, and an aging society all contribute to the overall expenditure.

What does the public healthcare cover?

The public system under which all Norwegians are covered is known as the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Here’s what’s covered:

• emergency services and transport
• costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth
• medical treatment of children under 16
• medical treatment of work-related injuries
• general healthcare costs such as doctors’ appointments and prescription medication (partially covered)
• treatment abroad if necessary
• rehabilitation radiological examinations and laboratory tests
• dental care generally is not covered for adults, except for specific diseases or conditions
• braces for children (partially covered)
• psychological care for children under 18 years of age
• sick pay, child benefits, pensions, and other social security services

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a card that gives you access to state-provided healthcare while temporarily staying in Norway. With a valid EHIC, you pay the same subsidized fee for treatment as a local Norwegian resident. However, this is only true for citizens of EU/EEA countries. Citizens of other countries who are living in an EU/EEA country (e.g. a US American citizen living in France) can not use their EHIC in Norway to receive medical care.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Norway only accepts the physical card, so digital versions won’t work. It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance alongside your EHIC, just to be safe.

Private health insurance in Norway is provided by for-profit insurance companies and allows for quick access, a larger choice of private providers, and better facilities. 10% of Norway’s population (15% of the workforce) have some kind of private medical insurance.

Ninety-one percent of private insurance policies are paid for by an employer. While some employers believe it reduces sick leave, no strong evidence supports this, making it more of a perk than a necessity in a country where quality public healthcare is already available to everyone.

Health insurance coverage

Private health insurance in this country does not cover acute cases or emergency hospitalization; these remain the responsibility of the public system. Here’s an example of what some private health insurance plans might cover:

• dental care
• surgery and hospital treatment
• consultation with a private medical specialist
• prescription drugs
• psychological First Aid
• elective surgery
• psychological treatment

How much does it cost?

The average cost of a private health insurance plan in Norway depends on the type of plan and level of coverage you choose. Other factors that determine cost include:

• age (the older you are, the more expensive your plan will be)
• health status

Local insurers have plans for an average of 508 NOK (approx. 55 USD) per month. However, expats may need to meet a minimum residency period before being able to purchase insurance coverage.

How to get health insurance in Norway

For expats, the largest international insurance providers in Norway are the following companies:

• Allianz
• Bupa Global
• Pacific Prime
• Vertikal Helse
• Gjensidige

If you’re self-employed in Norway, you are not left out of the system. You still have full access to the public healthcare system and are entitled to sickness cash benefits, just like any regular employee. On top of that, you also have the option to purchase private health insurance if you want quicker access or extra coverage. Read more in our guide on self-employment in Norway.

When you relocate to Norway, you’ll need to know how to find a doctor and a dentist. It’s recommended to read reviews on doctors and dentists before settling on one.

How to find a family doctor

Everyone who’s registered with the National Registry has a right to a general practitioner (GP). That GP can be chosen from a list, so long as the doctor is available to take on more patients. To find and choose your doctor under the primary doctor scheme, use the Bytte fastlege online or Drdropin. You can also change your doctor and be put on a waiting list via this online service as well. Keep in mind that you can only be put on one waiting list at a time.

Being a part of the GP scheme is completely optional and you can opt out of it. If you require treatment, you’ll then be responsible for finding your own doctor and may be subject to a higher fee. To de-register from the scheme, simply call Veiledning helsenorge.no at +47 23 32 70 00.

Minors & students

Children under 16 are assigned the same primary doctor as their mother, assuming both parents share the same address and parental responsibility. Otherwise, the child will have the same doctor as the parent they live with.

Students studying in Norway who have paid their tuition fees will have access to the GPs associated with their college/university.

How do you find a dentist?

The Public Dental Health Services offers free treatment (except braces) to children (ages 0–18). For people between the ages of 19 and 20, the Public Dental Health Services covers 75% of expenses. Adults will need to pay out-of-pocket for dental services, although there are some exceptions.

If you have purchased private insurance, contact your provider to see if dental care is covered and to what extent. To find a dentist in your area, you can search via the Tannlegerinorge (Dentists in Norway) directory. You can also find a dentist in an emergency.

Average wait time to see a doctor in Norway

To see a doctor in Norway, people can get an appointment on the same day they call. However, wait times become noticeably longer when specialist care or hospital treatment is involved. Medical centers are open between 08:00 and 15:00 and you can usually get an appointment the same day you call.

If you require hospitalization during your treatment, under specialist recommendation, you’ll be expected to wait.

If you give birth in Norway as a non-resident. you’ll be required to apply for a residence permit for your baby or a registration certificate once they are born. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is the one to contact for this. This must be done within the first year of the child’s life. Giving birth is completely free for all pregnancy appointments. Midwife visits and hospital costs are also fully covered, including C-sections.

The same rules apply if you’re giving birth in Norway as a permanent resident. If you don’t have health insurance, it’s not a problem. The cost of having a baby in Norway is free, regardless of coverage. Expats should note that giving birth in the Scandinavian country for citizenship is only possible if at least one of the parents is Norwegian.

The benefits of giving birth in Norway

Beyond free healthcare, Norway’s parental benefits are among the most generous in the world. Once your child is born, you can choose between a one-time government payment of 90,300 NOK (approx. 9,400 USD) or 100% full pay for 42 weeks of maternity leave. Read our guide on maternity & paternity leave in Norway.

Having a baby in Norway as a foreigner entitles you to child benefits if:

• the whole family is residing in Norway and plans on living in the country for at least twelve months
• you are a resident in Norway and registered on the Norwegian population register
• you have a residence permit or legal residence on other grounds