Adult learning
Where can I find information about Norwegian language classes?
Contact your local municipality for information about language courses in the area where you live in Norway.
In Oslo, the Oslo Adult Education centre has published information about courses for fee-paying and non fee-paying learners of Norwegian. You will also find useful information about rights and duties concerning Norwegian language learning on the velkommenoslo.no web site.
A list of institutions outside Norway, where you can study Norwegian, is available from Study in Norway web site.
Bereavement
Where can I get a copy of a death certificate?
To get a copy of a death certificate, you need to contact the district court for the municipality where the deceased had lived.
Where can I get information about maintaining the graves of my relatives in Norway?
The Church of Norway has an information service (Kirkens informasjonstjeneste) that should be able to advise you on maintaining graves of relatives in Norway. They have an office in Oslo, at Rådhusgata 1-3. They may be contacted by telephone: (+ 47) 23 08 12 00, or by e-mail: post.kirkeradet@kirken.no. You can also seek assistance by contacting the parish office or rural deanery in the diocese where the graves in question are located. Contact details for parishes and rural deaneries in Norway can be found on the Church of Norway's web site.
Business activities
How do I register my company in Norway?
The Brønnøysund Register is the public administrative agency responsible for a number of national control, information and registration schemes in Norway. Contact them for a form to register your business enterprise.We are a European company, where can we find information about carrying out business in Norway?
Five public agencies have worked together to produce an information booklet entitled "Doing business in Norway". It provides information for enterprises from EEA/EFTA countries. You will find advice on residence permits, tax matters, national insurance, working conditions and contact information for the relevant public agencies.
If you are looking to establish business in the Oslo area, you might also find the Osloteknopol web site useful. Osloteknopol provides free assistance and information to foreign investors considering the Oslo region as a possible location for future activities.
Where can I find information about starting my own business?
Bedin, which represents the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has company information, including pages entitled Start-Up Information. You can also call the Narvik Business Hotline for expert advice, tel: (+47) 800 33 840. This service is free of charge unless you are calling from a cell phone or abroad. For information and advice on Norwegian business innovation, internationalisation and promotion, you may contact one of Innovation Norway's international offices or contact the central Innovation Norway office in Norway.
Where can I get a list of companies trading within a specific industry in Norway?
Information regarding companies trading within specific industry sectors can be found on the web pages of www.nortrade.com, the Official Norwegian Trade Portal .
The Brønnøysund Register Centre oversees The Register of Business Enterprises in Norway. You may contact the centre and order specific company information from them. There is a fee for this service.
You may also consult the Norwegian Yellow Pages (Gule Sider) for contact details for specific companies in Norway (select "Choose category" within the search field).
Buying property
Who is entitled to a start up loan for a home?
People who have difficulty getting a loan from private banks, or lack capital to buy a home, can apply for a start up loan from the Norwegian housing Bank "Husbanken".Brochures about start up loans and housing allowance are available in several languages from the Husbanken's web site.
Consumer rights
How can I find a list of qualified tradesmen, for example master carpenters or plumbers?
You can find qualified tradesmen via the Mesterregisteret (in Norwegian only). For further help, contact the Master Craftsman Committee .
How large are the expenditures for a family for clothes and food?
SIFOs standard budget (Norwegian only) allows you to see how large the consumption expenditures for different kinds of households are. You will find an overview for how much you will have to pay for food and beverage, clothing and shoes for children and young people in different ages.
How much wine and spirits can I bring into Norway?
Norwegian Customs & Excise provide a summary of customs rules for travellers leaving or entering Norway. There you will find allowances for alcoholic beverages, tobacco, meat and dairy products.Cultural heritage
How can I trace my ancestry?
You might like to start by consulting the Digitial Archives, which is a public service from the National Archives of Norway. They have a link to a document published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled How to trace your ancestors in Norway, by Yngve Nedrebø. You may also contact The Norwegian Emigration Centre for help with genealogy questions.Is there any support schemes for local cultural initiatives?
Contact your municipality or county for more information about support schemes for local cultural initiatives.
Where can I find photographs of Norwegian scenery and people?
Innovation Norway has a selection of photographs available online; please follow the following link to their Photoservice. The National Archives of Norway also have photographic material as part of their Online Exhibitions. For official royal photographs, the Royal Family’s Information Office handles fan mail, and SCANPIX handles press and media requests for photographs.Employees
I think I have been unfairly dismissed from my job, what can I do?
You should read the Working Environment Act to clarify your rights. You can also check the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's web site for information on employees' rights. If you need more advice, you can contact the Norwegian Labour Inspection's citizen advice service by e-mail: svartjenesten@arbeidstilsynet.dep.no or by telephone: (+47) 815 48 222.
Is there a form available in English to claim travel expenses?
Information about an online travel and subsistence claim form is found on the Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs' web site. Unfortunately, the web page is in Norwegian only, therefore we advise that you click on the link "Reiseregningsblanketten (engelsk) ".
When do most Norwegians take their summer holidays?
Norwegians have the tradition of taking their summer holidays (fellesferie) each year in July. In 2010, trade unions recommend that the common summer holiday be during the period 12th July to 30th July.
Where can I find out about my rights regarding holidays and salary payments?
Regulation concerning holidays and work is outlined in Annual Holidays Act , published by the Directorate of Labour Inspection.Employment
Am I authorised to work in the Norwegian health sector?
For the recognition of professional health qualifications, contact SAFH - Norwegian Registration for Health Personnel (Statens autorisasjonskontor for helsepersonell). They give authorisation and advice regarding licences for health care personnel in Norway. Follow the link "professions" in the top menu of their web site for professional qualification requirements.
How do I apply for a permit to live and work in Norway?
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) provides information about Norwegian immigration regulations and how to apply for permits to live and work in Norway.
In Oslo, there is a service centre for foreign workers, where you can get help with work and residence permit applications.
If you are already in Norway, you should contact your local police station for advice on application procedures. In Oslo, you should contact the authorities at Grønland politistasjon, Grønlandsleiret 44, N-0190 Oslo. Tel.: +47 22 66 90 50.
From outside Norway, you should contact your nearest Royal Norwegian Embassy or Consulate which is responsible for representing Norwegian affairs abroad. To find a Norwegian authority based abroad, try using Norway - the official site portal.
How do I register my company in Norway?
The Brønnøysund Register is the public administrative agency responsible for a number of national control, information and registration schemes in Norway. Contact them for a form to register your business enterprise.Where can I find a list of public holidays in Norway?
In Statistics Norway's brochure "Minifacts about Norway" you will find a link in the left-hand menu to a web page with details of Official Flag days and public holidays in Norway.Where can I find information about starting my own business?
Bedin, which represents the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has company information, including pages entitled Start-Up Information. You can also call the Narvik Business Hotline for expert advice, tel: (+47) 800 33 840. This service is free of charge unless you are calling from a cell phone or abroad. For information and advice on Norwegian business innovation, internationalisation and promotion, you may contact one of Innovation Norway's international offices or contact the central Innovation Norway office in Norway.
Where can I find information about working in Norway?
Employment services in Norway are run by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, commonly known as NAV . On our web pages, www.norway.no, you can find an alphabetical list of local NAV offices in Norway. Contact the NAV call centre on +47 800 33 166 for information on available jobs.
From outside Norway, contact the Eures office in your home country for help in finding work in Norway.
The Directorate of Immigration has useful topic pages about permits required for living and working in Norway.
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority provides advice on rights and duties for employers and employees.
Family matters
How can I trace my ancestry?
You might like to start by consulting the Digitial Archives, which is a public service from the National Archives of Norway. They have a link to a document published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled How to trace your ancestors in Norway, by Yngve Nedrebø. You may also contact The Norwegian Emigration Centre for help with genealogy questions.How large are the expenditures for a family for clothes and food?
SIFOs standard budget (Norwegian only) allows you to see how large the consumption expenditures for different kinds of households are. You will find an overview for how much you will have to pay for food and beverage, clothing and shoes for children and young people in different ages.
Free legal aid
Where can I find out about free legal aid?
Free legal aid is a system where the state covers, completely or partially, legal advice costs. If you need information about free legal aid, you should contact a lawyer, your County Governor Office or a district court .
Norway.no also has a topic page on Free legal aid.
Health services
Am I authorised to work in the Norwegian health sector?
For the recognition of professional health qualifications, contact SAFH - Norwegian Registration for Health Personnel (Statens autorisasjonskontor for helsepersonell). They give authorisation and advice regarding licences for health care personnel in Norway. Follow the link "professions" in the top menu of their web site for professional qualification requirements.
How do I find a doctor in Norway?
If you are registered in the National Registry (folkeregister) as a resident of a Norwegian municipality you will be assigned a regular GP (fastlege) by your local 'NAV' office. General information about the regular GP scheme can be found on the NAV web site . Contact your local 'NAV' social security office for more information, or alternatively call 810 59 500 .
If your stay in Norway is only temporary and you need
medical attention, the
municipal service office in the area where you are
staying will advise you on which health clinic to contact. Alternatively, a list
of health clinics and doctors in listed in the
Norwegian Yellow Pages.
To call an ambulance in an
emergency, dial
113.
What fees do you have to pay for health treatment in Norway?
When you undergo a health check or receive medical treatment, you are obliged to pay a ‘user fee’ (in Norwegian = egenandel). This fee is paid directly to the health institution that has treated you. A standard consultation with a GP doctor costs NOK 130 during the day and NOK 220 for an evening appointment. You can find a detailed list of fees (in Norwegian only) on the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration's web site (NAV).What kind of public dental health care can I receive?
Public dental health services in Norway are organised by the county administrations (fylkeskommuner) in Norway. Under 18 year olds are entitled to free public dental treatment (excluding orthodontic treatment), as are the mentally disabled, chronically ill and people receiving home nursing assistance. Contact your county dentist, via your county administration for more information about who is entitled to free public dental treatment in Norway. Your local NAV office should also be able to tell you about possible financial assistance for dental treatment. Several of the larger municipalities in Norway have their own emergency dental clinics which are open at weekends and evenings, however many of the smaller municipalities do not, in which case you should contact a dentist directly to ask for emergency treatment. Telephone numbers and addresses can be found in the pink pages of the telephone directory or online in the Yellow PagesWhere can I get help with psychological problems?
In a critical or life threatening situation, call for emergency help on telephone number 113. Explain the situation and state an address where help is required. If it is not a critical emergency, contact your GP doctor or the nearest emergency unit for help.
If you need someone to talk to, call the Norwegian Mental Health helpline on 810 30 030 or you can call the Kirkens SOS helpline on 815 33 300.
Who is entitled to free medical treatment?
When you are admitted to hospital and are a member of the National Insurance Scheme, you do not pay for treatment, medication or hospital accommodation. Expectant mothers do not pay for any pregnancy check-ups. Children under the age of 12 do not pay any medical user fees, and anyone under the age of 18 who requires psychological help does not have to pay any treatment fees. Fees required for children under the age of 16 may be added to the fees of a parent. If the total amount of fees exceeds the annual upper limit, the child and parent are entitled to a fee exemption card (frikort). Contact your local NAV office for more information about health fees and national insurance matters.Higher education
How can I apply for a course of study in Norway?
Many study institutions in Norway have specfic study programmes for foreign students. If you wish to study in Norway, you should contact study institutions in Norway directly. A useful web site is Study in Norway.As a foreign citizen, you are required to have a residence permit to study in Norway. Some study institutions will assist you in obtaining one of these, otherwise you should apply to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) directly. UDI has information on its web pages regarding residence permits for students.
If you already have a Norwegian residence permit, you can apply for a place of study at a Norwegian institution of higher education via the UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admission Services (Samordna opptak). The application deadline for UCAS is 1. March.
How can I get my education recognised in Norway?
Contact NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education); they provide information on the recognition of foreign higher education, on evaluation and accreditation of Norwegian qualifications and a general overview of higher education in Norway.
How can I get my higher education from abroad recognised in Norway?
In order to assess if your foreign education is equivalent to Norwegian higher education, you must send in an application to NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education). They will assess the extent of the education and what it equals to in credits, study year or if it is equivalent a bachelor or master’s degree in Norway. If the education is accredited, you will be sent a recognition document that you can use for job applications.
If you need get approved if the content of the foreign education can constitute in an additional educational pathway in Norway, you must contact the school or university where you wish to continue your studies.
If you have skill training or professional qualifications from abroad such as teacher or doctor, you must get the education recognised by a recognition office in order to practice in equivalent professions in Norway.
Housing and property
Where can I get a certificate of residence (in Norwegian: "bostedsattest/bostedsbevis")?
If you are asked to present a certificate of residence, for example to prove how long you have lived in Norway, you can obtain one by contacting the Norwegian Tax Administration, via your local tax office. The Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) is the authority in charge of the National Population Register.
Inheritance
Where can I get a copy of a death certificate?
To get a copy of a death certificate, you need to contact the district court for the municipality where the deceased had lived.
Jobseekers
Am I authorised to work in the Norwegian health sector?
For the recognition of professional health qualifications, contact SAFH - Norwegian Registration for Health Personnel (Statens autorisasjonskontor for helsepersonell). They give authorisation and advice regarding licences for health care personnel in Norway. Follow the link "professions" in the top menu of their web site for professional qualification requirements.
How can I get my education recognised in Norway?
Contact NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education); they provide information on the recognition of foreign higher education, on evaluation and accreditation of Norwegian qualifications and a general overview of higher education in Norway.
Where can I find information about working in Norway?
Employment services in Norway are run by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, commonly known as NAV . On our web pages, www.norway.no, you can find an alphabetical list of local NAV offices in Norway. Contact the NAV call centre on +47 800 33 166 for information on available jobs.
From outside Norway, contact the Eures office in your home country for help in finding work in Norway.
The Directorate of Immigration has useful topic pages about permits required for living and working in Norway.
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority provides advice on rights and duties for employers and employees.
Legal matters
Where can I find out about free legal aid?
Free legal aid is a system where the state covers, completely or partially, legal advice costs. If you need information about free legal aid, you should contact a lawyer, your County Governor Office or a district court .
Norway.no also has a topic page on Free legal aid.
Leisure and recreation
Am I allowed to bring my pet dog/cat into Norway from abroad?
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority
(Mattilsynet) has published rules for
the Importation
of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets to Norway . These rules are based on the
Commission Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, and only apply to pets which are
accompanied by their owner or person responsible for them. There must be no
intention to sell or transfer any animal.
From EU countries, except
Sweden, you are permitted to import your pet animal if it has an identification
chip or tattoo, pet passport, has had all necessary vaccinations and is
presented to customs on entry to Norway. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority's
border veterinarian may be contacted directly by e-mail BIP.Gardermoen@mattilsynet.no,
or by phone: (+ 47) 64 82 04 00.
How do I go about setting up a voluntary organisation?
You can find business and organisation start-up information on BEDIN company information web site. There are chapters, for example, about defining whether your activity is considered a business or recreational activity, how to register your organisation and accounting requirements. You may also call the Narvik Business Hotline on telephone 800 33 840 if you would like to speak to an adviser about setting up an organisation.
When do most Norwegians take their summer holidays?
Norwegians have the tradition of taking their summer holidays (fellesferie) each year in July. In 2010, trade unions recommend that the common summer holiday be during the period 12th July to 30th July.
Where can I find a list of public holidays in Norway?
In Statistics Norway's brochure "Minifacts about Norway" you will find a link in the left-hand menu to a web page with details of Official Flag days and public holidays in Norway.Living together
How do I go about getting a divorce in Norway?
Applications for both separation and divorce licences are made to the County Governor's Office in the county where you live. Details of procedures can be found in The Ministry of Children and Family Affairs' brochure Separation and Divorce.
Application forms for divorce may be downloaded from the "Statlig blankettarkiv".
We are two foreign citizens who want to get married in Norway. What do we do?
Anyone who wants to get married in Norway must have a legal right to enter and stay in Norway. You will find information about residence permits and what qualifies as legal stay in Norway on UDI’s web sites.
The rules for entering into marriage according to Norwegian law, and also link to all necessary forms, is located at Tax Norway’s web sites (Norwegian only).
Foreign citizens must bring a marriage license (certificate of no impediment to marriage) from their home country, if possible the last country of residence. The main rule for approval of documents from countries outside the Nordic region is that the original document must be apostilised or legalized.
All forms and certificates must be sent to Skatt nord Hammerfest, Personregisteret, Postboks 6310, 9293 Tromsø.
Contact your home country’s embassy in Norway to find out what is required for the marriage license in order to approve your marriage in your home country. It might for instance require that it must be apostilised or legalized by the Norwegian authorities, or that it has to be translated by a government authorized translator.
What forms do I have to fill out to get married according to Norwegian law?
In order to get married in accordance with the Norwegian Marriage Act, both the bride-to-be and bridegroom-to-be must complete a Q-0150 declaration for verification of compliance with conditions for marriage. On the reverse side of the Q-0150 declaration form, there is an explanation of procedures and details of additional documentation that must be submitted, including:
- Proof of identification for bride and bridegroom, for example, copy of birth certificate or passport.
- Q-0151 statement forms completed by the sponsors (bridesmaid and best man who must be over 18 years of age)
- Proof of dissolution of any previous marriage
- Certificate of no impediment to marry from native country, if bride/bridegroom is a foreign citizen
- Proof of legal right to enter and stay in Norway. (Information about visa and permit requirements and exemptions is available from the Directorate of Immigration.)
Forms may be downloaded from the Directorate of Taxes' web site .
Where can I find information about church weddings in Norway?
For information regarding church weddings, you should contact the parish priest in the diocese where you intend to marry. You can also browse The Church of Norway's web site for information about the order for a wedding in Norway and contact details for parish offices.
Where can I find information about non-church weddings?
Procedures for
civil marriage ceremonies in
Norway
are conducted by
a Notary Public. Contact the City Recorder's
Office (byfogdembete) or District Court
(tingrett) in the area where you intend to get married
for further information.
Where should I send the application form to be granted the right to marry under Norwegian law?
If you are registered as a resident in Norway, completed forms and required documentation for verification should be submitted to the local tax office in the municipality of residence of either the bride-to-be or bridegroom-to-be in Norway. Tax offices in Norway are responsible for the National Population Register (Folkeregisteret) at a local level.
If you are not living in Norway at the time of your application for verification, and you do not have a Norwegian personal identification number, applications for verification are processed by the "Personregisteret" located at the Hammerfest Tax Office, under the jurisdiction of the Northern Norway Regional Tax Office (Skatt nord). Address: Postboks 6310, 9263 Tromsø, Norway.
Which public authority offers marriage counselling in Norway?
The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) is the Norwegian governmental office for the welfare and protection of children and families. Subordinate to this office are five regional (Bufetat) offices which provide family counselling and handle administrative cases according to the Marriage Act.
Moving home
How do I notify a change of address?
You must register your change of address with the National Registry. This is done by completing the relevant form ("Flyttemeldingsskjema" in Norwegian only) and sending it to your local tax office .You should also notify the Norwegian postal service, Norway Post.
Where can I get a certificate of residence (in Norwegian: "bostedsattest/bostedsbevis")?
If you are asked to present a certificate of residence, for example to prove how long you have lived in Norway, you can obtain one by contacting the Norwegian Tax Administration, via your local tax office. The Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) is the authority in charge of the National Population Register.
Names and people
How can I find an address or telephone number of someone in Norway?
Telephone and contact details for private individuals and businesses in Norway may be found via the Yellow Pages web site or by phoning directory enquiries on tel.no: (+ 47) 1881.
Contact information for public sector offices can be provided by the Norway.no Help Desk.
How can I trace my ancestry?
You might like to start by consulting the Digitial Archives, which is a public service from the National Archives of Norway. They have a link to a document published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled How to trace your ancestors in Norway, by Yngve Nedrebø. You may also contact The Norwegian Emigration Centre for help with genealogy questions.How do I go about changing my name?
You must apply to your local tax assessment office (likningskontor), which oversees the National Registry (folkeregisteret). An application form may be downloaded from the Ministry of Justice and the Police's website (only available in Norwegian): Meldingsskjema for navneendring.Parents and children
How do I find out what I should pay in child maintenance?
You will find information about limits of income (Norwegian only) and advance support payment on Nav.no. You can also calculate the maintenance (Norwegian only). The rates for establishing child maintenance are regulated 1 July every year.
Contact your local NAV office if you need more information about child maintenance or help with the calculation. The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration are responsible for the collection and arrangement of child maintenance.
Passports and identification
Do I need a visa to enter Norway?
The general rule is that all foreign nationals require a visa to visit Norway. However, there are exceptions to this requirement. The Directorate of Immigration has prepared a web page detailing who does not require a visa. For more information about visas and visa applications, see the Directorate of Immigration's web page on visas. A visa that is issued by a Norwegian authority is a document that shows you are allowed to enter Norway and other Schengen countries for a period of up to 3 months.
How can I get a D-number?
A D-number (dummy number) is a registration number for foreign nationals in Norway, who are not registered in the Norwegian Population Register (folkeregister), and therefore have not been assigned a Norwegian personal identification number (personnummer). A D-number is required to carry out certain transactions in Norway, for example in order to open a bank account in Norway, or register a company.
The public office responsible for processing requests for D-numbers is:
Hammerfest Tax Office
Personregisteret
Postboks 6310
9293 Tromsø
Telephone (+47): 800 80 000
E-post: personregisteret@skatteetaten.no
Other agencies that may provide advice on how to obtain a D-number include local tax offices in Norway, or if you are a migrant worker based in Oslo, Kirkenes or Stavanger the Service Centre for foreign workers will help you apply for a D-number.
Alternatively, the public authority which requires that you have a D-number should assist you with requesting a D-number. For example, if you wish to register a legal business entity, the Brønnøysund Register Centre, the public authority responsible, has a form which you may download and complete to request for assignment of a D-number (click on the link "Engelsk").
How can I get a Norwegian personal identification number instead of a D-number?
If you have a residence permit and are planning to stay in Norway for more than 6 months, you are reckoned as a resident. You must notify your local tax office personally about your change of address to Norway. They will register you as a resident in Norway, and award you with a Norwegian personal identification number.
How can I get a personal identification number?
When you register with the National Population Register, via your local tax office, you will be awarded an 11 digit identification number (fødselsnummer).How do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
If you were born in Norway, you can get a copy of your birth certificate by contacting your local tax office in Norway, which administers records in the National Population Register.
If you are a foreign citizen, born outside of Norway, you will need to contact the public records office in your home country to obtain a copy of your birth certificate. If you are living in Norway, you can contact the embassy which represents your country in Norway for more information.
How do I get a Norwegian personal identification number when I move to Norway?
If you have a residence permit and are planning to stay in Norway for more than 6 months, you are reckoned as a resident. You must notify your local tax office personally about your change of address to Norway. They will register you as a resident in Norway, and award you with a Norwegian personal identification number.
If you stay is shorter than 6 months in Norway, you will be given a D-number.
How do we get a birth certificate for our new born child?
The maternity ward of your hospital or clinic will
notify the Norwegian Tax Administration, which is responsible for the National
Population Register, about the birth of your child.
The Tax Administration will then check whether the child
should be awarded a Norwegian public identification number or not.
The issued public identification number is sent to the
mother of the child, along with a form required for registering the baby’s name.
All parents must register the baby’s name within 6 months by returning the
completed form to the Norwegian Tax Administration. Once the baby’s name has
been registered, a birth certificate will be issued.
The issued birth certificate will prove that the baby’s name has been approved. The certificate must be presented when a child is to be christened.
Who can receive a D-number?
D-numbers is given to people staying no longer than 6 months in Norway, and where there exists a justified need for it. You can get information from Tax Norway regarding how you order and receive a D-number (in Norwegian only).
Patients
What fees do you have to pay for health treatment in Norway?
When you undergo a health check or receive medical treatment, you are obliged to pay a ‘user fee’ (in Norwegian = egenandel). This fee is paid directly to the health institution that has treated you. A standard consultation with a GP doctor costs NOK 130 during the day and NOK 220 for an evening appointment. You can find a detailed list of fees (in Norwegian only) on the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration's web site (NAV).Who is entitled to free medical treatment?
When you are admitted to hospital and are a member of the National Insurance Scheme, you do not pay for treatment, medication or hospital accommodation. Expectant mothers do not pay for any pregnancy check-ups. Children under the age of 12 do not pay any medical user fees, and anyone under the age of 18 who requires psychological help does not have to pay any treatment fees. Fees required for children under the age of 16 may be added to the fees of a parent. If the total amount of fees exceeds the annual upper limit, the child and parent are entitled to a fee exemption card (frikort). Contact your local NAV office for more information about health fees and national insurance matters.Pensions and benefits
Am I a member of the National Insurance Scheme (folketrygd)?
Anyone who has been legally living and working in Norway for at least twelve months is normally a member of the National Insurance Scheme. National insurance contributions are deducted from your salary/pension and entitle you to social security and health treatment under Norwegian law. If your stay in Norway is temporary, between 3-12 months, you may apply for voluntary membership by sending an application to your local social security office. Special conditions apply to members of countries that have entered into reciprocal social security agreements with Norway, for example EEA countries. Contact your local NAV social security office for more information about National Insurance membership and contributions.Planning and construction
How can I find a list of qualified tradesmen, for example master carpenters or plumbers?
You can find qualified tradesmen via the Mesterregisteret (in Norwegian only). For further help, contact the Master Craftsman Committee .
Who is entitled to a start up loan for a home?
People who have difficulty getting a loan from private banks, or lack capital to buy a home, can apply for a start up loan from the Norwegian housing Bank "Husbanken".Brochures about start up loans and housing allowance are available in several languages from the Husbanken's web site.
Public administration and policy
Where can I get official publications?
Private persons and organisations may order publications directly from individual publishing houses. Official Norwegian reports (NOUs) are available from the official publications section of Akademika . You may contact Akademika by e-mail at: offpubl@akademika.no, or by telephone: (+47) 22 18 81 00.
Religion and beliefs
Where can I get information about maintaining the graves of my relatives in Norway?
The Church of Norway has an information service (Kirkens informasjonstjeneste) that should be able to advise you on maintaining graves of relatives in Norway. They have an office in Oslo, at Rådhusgata 1-3. They may be contacted by telephone: (+ 47) 23 08 12 00, or by e-mail: post.kirkeradet@kirken.no. You can also seek assistance by contacting the parish office or rural deanery in the diocese where the graves in question are located. Contact details for parishes and rural deaneries in Norway can be found on the Church of Norway's web site.
Schools and education
How can I apply for a course of study in Norway?
Many study institutions in Norway have specfic study programmes for foreign students. If you wish to study in Norway, you should contact study institutions in Norway directly. A useful web site is Study in Norway.As a foreign citizen, you are required to have a residence permit to study in Norway. Some study institutions will assist you in obtaining one of these, otherwise you should apply to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) directly. UDI has information on its web pages regarding residence permits for students.
If you already have a Norwegian residence permit, you can apply for a place of study at a Norwegian institution of higher education via the UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admission Services (Samordna opptak). The application deadline for UCAS is 1. March.
How can I get my education recognised in Norway?
Contact NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education); they provide information on the recognition of foreign higher education, on evaluation and accreditation of Norwegian qualifications and a general overview of higher education in Norway.
How can I get my higher education from abroad recognised in Norway?
In order to assess if your foreign education is equivalent to Norwegian higher education, you must send in an application to NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education). They will assess the extent of the education and what it equals to in credits, study year or if it is equivalent a bachelor or master’s degree in Norway. If the education is accredited, you will be sent a recognition document that you can use for job applications.
If you need get approved if the content of the foreign education can constitute in an additional educational pathway in Norway, you must contact the school or university where you wish to continue your studies.
If you have skill training or professional qualifications from abroad such as teacher or doctor, you must get the education recognised by a recognition office in order to practice in equivalent professions in Norway.
Setting up business
Where can I find information about starting my own business?
Bedin, which represents the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has company information, including pages entitled Start-Up Information. You can also call the Narvik Business Hotline for expert advice, tel: (+47) 800 33 840. This service is free of charge unless you are calling from a cell phone or abroad. For information and advice on Norwegian business innovation, internationalisation and promotion, you may contact one of Innovation Norway's international offices or contact the central Innovation Norway office in Norway.
Social security
Am I a member of the National Insurance Scheme (folketrygd)?
Anyone who has been legally living and working in Norway for at least twelve months is normally a member of the National Insurance Scheme. National insurance contributions are deducted from your salary/pension and entitle you to social security and health treatment under Norwegian law. If your stay in Norway is temporary, between 3-12 months, you may apply for voluntary membership by sending an application to your local social security office. Special conditions apply to members of countries that have entered into reciprocal social security agreements with Norway, for example EEA countries. Contact your local NAV social security office for more information about National Insurance membership and contributions.Society and civic duties
How do I apply for a permit to live and work in Norway?
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) provides information about Norwegian immigration regulations and how to apply for permits to live and work in Norway.
In Oslo, there is a service centre for foreign workers, where you can get help with work and residence permit applications.
If you are already in Norway, you should contact your local police station for advice on application procedures. In Oslo, you should contact the authorities at Grønland politistasjon, Grønlandsleiret 44, N-0190 Oslo. Tel.: +47 22 66 90 50.
From outside Norway, you should contact your nearest Royal Norwegian Embassy or Consulate which is responsible for representing Norwegian affairs abroad. To find a Norwegian authority based abroad, try using Norway - the official site portal.
Where can I find a list of public holidays in Norway?
In Statistics Norway's brochure "Minifacts about Norway" you will find a link in the left-hand menu to a web page with details of Official Flag days and public holidays in Norway.Where can I find information about Norwegian language classes?
Contact your local municipality for information about language courses in the area where you live in Norway.
In Oslo, the Oslo Adult Education centre has published information about courses for fee-paying and non fee-paying learners of Norwegian. You will also find useful information about rights and duties concerning Norwegian language learning on the velkommenoslo.no web site.
A list of institutions outside Norway, where you can study Norwegian, is available from Study in Norway web site.
Where can I find the telephone numbers to refugee reception centres in Norway?
Information about refugee and asylum centres is available on the Directorate of Immigration's web site. Contact information for the various centres is available, but in Norwegian only.
Where can I get help in translating Norwegian words, phrases or texts?
For help in translating Norwegian texts, contact the Association of Government Authorized Translators in Norway (STF); they will provide you with an updated list of translators and interpreters. You may contact them by e-mail: post@statsaut-translator.no.
For matters concerning the translation of Norwegian fiction and non-fiction, contact NORLA - Norwegian Literature Abroad.
For help with government titles, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' list of translated government titles.
For general Norwegian language advice, contact the Norwegian Language Council.
LEXIN
is a set of online dictionaries developed for immigrants to
Norway by the Norwegian Directorate of Education and
Training and Skolenettet. The same directorate has published a Norwegian
English Dictionary for the education sector on their web site.
On their Nordic eTax web site, you can find a useful Norwegian/English dictionary with tax terminology.
Taxation
I neither work in Norway nor work for a Norwegian company - why have I received a "skattekort"?
At the start and end of your employment contract with a Norwegian company, your employer is obliged to report your contract of employment to the Norwegian Tax Administration. This is done by your employer submitting a RF-1198 form, and can be done via the public reporting portal for businesses Altinn . If you keep receiving a tax deduction card ("skattekort") and you are no longer employed by a Norwegian registered company, your previous employer might not have reported the termination of your employment contract to the tax authorities. Contact your previous employer and check that they have reported the termination of your employment. Alternatively, you can contact the Central Office for Foreign Tax Affairs.
Do I have to pay import duty on goods I have bought from abroad?
Generally, imported goods valued up to 200 kroner are customs and excise duty free. Postage, however, must always be paid. Books, no matter their value, can be imported duty-free by private persons for personal use.
If you import
goods into Norway valued at more than 200 kroner,
you may need to pay 25 % VAT and customs and excise duty. Some
goods, such as CD's and DVD's may be imported duty free for personal
use. Clothes, however are not duty free.
What is the value limit for sending a gift to Norway without having to pay a tariff?
Gifts which do not exceed the value of 1000,-NOK and which are for the recipient’s use or to be used by the recipient's family are tariff free. Spirits, wine and tobacco products, or packages sent to multiple addresses in Norway are not tariff free. Your local post office will advise you on postal charges and procedures for sending packages to Norway.
Where can I find information about tourist tax refunds?
Visit Norway has a web page with information about tax-free shopping and links to related web sites.
Where can I find regulations and guidelines for tax payments and income tax returns?
The Norwegian Tax Administration has online brochures outlining tax payment and tax return procedures in Norway. For more advice, contact your local tax office in Norway.
Bedin, which represents the Ministry of Trade and Industry, also provides business information on taxation.
Trade and Industry
Where can I get a list of companies trading within a specific industry in Norway?
Information regarding companies trading within specific industry sectors can be found on the web pages of www.nortrade.com, the Official Norwegian Trade Portal .
The Brønnøysund Register Centre oversees The Register of Business Enterprises in Norway. You may contact the centre and order specific company information from them. There is a fee for this service.
You may also consult the Norwegian Yellow Pages (Gule Sider) for contact details for specific companies in Norway (select "Choose category" within the search field).
Travel and transport
Where can I find information about ferry transport and timetables for the western fjords of Norway?
Transport information is available from www.visitnorway.com's transportation pages. You can find information for ferries and express boats operating in the fjords between Stavanger, Bergen and Ålesund from the Fjord1 web site.
Where can I find information about the importation and registration of motor vehicles?
Norwegian Customs and Excise provides information concerning the importation and registration of motor vehicles.
Where can I find timetable information for travelling around Norway?
Travel information is available from the official travel guide to Norway www.visitnorway.com . You can also find information from Rutebok.no - public transport in Norway, a collection of national and regional transport timetables, previously published in paper form. From within Norway, you can also get timetable information for buses, ferries and other transport services in Norway by calling Ruteopplysningen 177 on telephone number: 177.
Travellers
Am I allowed to bring my pet dog/cat into Norway from abroad?
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority
(Mattilsynet) has published rules for
the Importation
of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets to Norway . These rules are based on the
Commission Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, and only apply to pets which are
accompanied by their owner or person responsible for them. There must be no
intention to sell or transfer any animal.
From EU countries, except
Sweden, you are permitted to import your pet animal if it has an identification
chip or tattoo, pet passport, has had all necessary vaccinations and is
presented to customs on entry to Norway. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority's
border veterinarian may be contacted directly by e-mail BIP.Gardermoen@mattilsynet.no,
or by phone: (+ 47) 64 82 04 00.
Is my driving licence valid in Norway?
Different rules apply to persons with a driving licence issued in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to those with a driving licence issued outside this area. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) has published information about driving licences valid in EEA and how to apply for a driving licence in Norway.
Where can I find timetable information for travelling around Norway?
Travel information is available from the official travel guide to Norway www.visitnorway.com . You can also find information from Rutebok.no - public transport in Norway, a collection of national and regional transport timetables, previously published in paper form. From within Norway, you can also get timetable information for buses, ferries and other transport services in Norway by calling Ruteopplysningen 177 on telephone number: 177.
Where can I get traffic and road information?
The Road User Information Centre (vegtrafikksentral) may be contacted on tel: 175 for information regarding road closures and driving conditions. From abroad call: (+47) 815 48 991. The Norguide - NRDB: National Road Database contains mapping tools to help you plan journeys, calculate distances and find road data.
Vehicles
How can I find out if the Annual Vehicle Duty on a vehicle is paid?
You can receive information about the annual vehicle duty by sending a SMS to 2282. Enter “REGNR”, space and the registration number (e.g.: REGNR AA00000). The SMS service costs NOK 3,-.
How do I find out when the next periodic roadworthiness test is?
You can get information about the last periodic roadworthiness test and the next test by entering your registration number (registreringsnummer) on the National Public Roads Administrations web site.
You can also send a SMS to 2282. Enter “REGNR”, space and then your registration number (e.g.: REGNR AA00000). The service costs NOK 3,-.
I have not received my motor vehicle tax registration sticker (oblat). Who can I contact?
In order to get your sticker (oblat) for your number plate, the
- Annual Vehicle Duty must
be paid
- insurance has to be in
order
- periodic roadworthiness check must be
approved
- car number plate must not be requested removed
If you still have not received your sticker, you can contact your local Traffic Services Office. If you are wondering if the duty is paid, send a SMS to 2282. Enter “REGNR”, space and the registration number (e.g.: REGNR AA00000). The SMS service costs NOK 3,-.
I have not received the giro form for payment of Annual Vehicle Duty. What should I do?
If you have not received the claim for the Annual Vehicle Duty, you must complete a credit transfer and pay within the time limit. You must enter a customer identification number (KID-number in Norwegian) so that the payment is connected to your vehicle.
You can create the KID-number on the Toll Customs pages. (This page is only in Norwegian. Do following: Choose year, enter license plate number (kjennemerke), confirm license plate number (stadfest kjennemerke), enter date of birth (fødselsdato), and press Generer KID).
The Toll Customs can also provide you with the number. Call Toll Customs on 22 86 02 00.
Is my driving licence valid in Norway?
Different rules apply to persons with a driving licence issued in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to those with a driving licence issued outside this area. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) has published information about driving licences valid in EEA and how to apply for a driving licence in Norway.
When is it allowed to drive with studded tyres?
You can drive with studded tyres in South Norway from 1 November to the first Monday after Easter Monday. In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark counties studded tyres is allowed from 16 October to 1 May.
The driver has to make sure that the vehicle is secured sufficient grip. The demand for sufficient grip is more important than the time limits.
You will find more information about tyres and tyre chains and about studded tyres and summer tyres on the Norwegian Public Roads Administration web site.
