Norway

There's an ongoing threat of terrorism in Europe.

Terrorists have attacked some European cities in recent years. Targets have included:

• public transport
• other transport hubs
• cultural venues and markets
• public places frequented by locals and foreigners

Norwegian authorities have lowered the country's terror threat to Level 4 after temporarily raising it to 5 (the highest level) in June after a gunman shot at people in 3 venues in Oslo. 3 people were killed, and several others were injured.

In August 2019, a gunman attempted an attack on the Al-Noor Islamic Centre in Baerum, outside Oslo. One person was injured.

In April 2017, Norwegian authorities found and detonated a bomb in central Oslo.

To reduce your risk of terrorism:

• be alert to possible threats, especially in public places
• report suspect actions or items to police
• monitor the media for threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow advice from local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism
• Norwegian Police Security Service Threat Assessment (Norwegian)

Civil unrest is rare.

Check the media and avoid possible unrest.

If there's a protest near you, follow the advice of local authorities.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Violent crime

Serious crime is rare.

There have been some sexual assaults against foreigners. 

Violent crime with weapons has occurred in areas where criminal gangs operate, such as parts of eastern Oslo.

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, cons and bag-snatching is increasingly common. The risk rises during the peak tourist season from May to September, particularly in Oslo.

Thieves often work together and use various tricks to distract travellers.

To stay safe:

• avoid walking alone in isolated places at night
• pay attention to your belongings in airports, train stations, Oslo's shopping streets, hotel lobbies and restaurants

More information: 

• Sexual assault

There are many adventure activities in Norway. These include mountaineering, trekking, skiing and glacier climbing.

Check you have everything you need for these activities, including the right equipment.

Ensure you're fit enough to do these activities.

To stay safe:

• follow local advice
• stay on marked runs and paths
• only ski in recommended areas
• check weather forecasts
• always let people know where you're going

The weather can be unpredictable, even during the summer months.

Check your travel insurance covers these activities. Include coverage for helicopter rescue and medical evacuation.

If you're travelling to Svalbard, follow local safety advice.

Polar bears have killed and injured travellers in Svalbard. Avalanches and accidents on glaciers and boats have also killed travellers.

More information:

• Governor of Svalbard

Norway experiences natural disasters and severe weather, such as:

• avalanches and rockslides in some mountain areas
• flooding
• landslides

Check advice on weather and safety conditions before skiing or mountaineering.

If there's a natural disaster:

• Download the Varsom app which provides advice on risks across Norway
• follow the advice of local authorities
• get updates from the Norwegian Government

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

The northernmost parts of Norway are above the Arctic Circle. Take care in these areas. Follow the advice from local authorities. Be ready to change your plans if you need to.

The Arctic is a vast region.

If you're planning to visit:

• work out how far you'll be from search and rescue, evacuation and medical facilities
• make contingency plans

If you're travelling by ship:

• check the onboard medical care
• ask cruise operators about medical arrangements
• discuss any pre-existing medical conditions

Search and rescue services may take a long time to arrive. They would be many 100s of kilometres away. Stranded vessels may wait several days for help, particularly in bad weather.

We may not be able to give you full or prompt consular assistance in remote areas. 

To reduce your risks, have travel insurance or funds to cover:

• the cost of search and rescue
• any medical treatment
• your return home or to another city or country

More information

• Going on a cruise

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

More information:

• Travel insurance

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health 
• plan any vaccinations you need
• consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)
• COVID-19 (Department of Health and Aged Care)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Norway. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

For advice on restrictions on imports, visit the Norwegian Customs website.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for your own use

More information:

• Medication

COVID-19

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (Folkehelseinstituttet) website has a dedicated English language page providing medical updates and guidance. There's also a COVID-19 hotline open Monday-Friday from 9am -2:30pm on 815 55 015 (or +47 2189 8042 from abroad).

For advice on COVID-19 tests, vaccination certificates, and what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, see Norway's COVID-19 website.

If you live in Norway, you can access a COVID-19 vaccination free of charge. You need to register with the municipality you live in for a vaccination.

You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance available locally. The Australian Government can't provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.

You may be able to register your Australian vaccinations in the Norwegian Immunisation Registry (SYSVAK) or call the Norwegian COVID-19 hotline on (+47) 2189 8042 for further information.

More information:

• COVID-19 (Department of Health and Aged Care)

Monkeypox

Norway has experienced cases of Monkeypox. Follow local advice and seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms.

Local doctors can prescribe a test for Monkeypox if you're experiencing symptoms or have been in close contact with an infected person. 

Other health risks

Other health risks in Norway are broadly similar to those in Australia.

Medical facilities

Hospitals in cities offer a high standard of care. Many medical staff speak English.

Services are limited in rural and remote areas.

If you need treatment in the remote area of northern Norway or Svalbard, medical teams may evacuate you for medical care. This will take time. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Norway. You can access immediate emergency medical services.

The agreement won't cover ongoing treatment of existing health conditions. You still need private travel health insurance.

More information:

• Medicare and reciprocal healthcare agreements

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

If you break the law in Norway, you may be banned from the Schengen area for a limited time (up to 10 years) or permanently.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences, even for possession of small amounts of recreational drugs or some prescription medications, include:

• heavy fines
• imprisonment
• being removed from the Schengen area

If you intend to take medication, confirm it's legal in your destination. Check if any rules or restrictions apply. Depending on your medication, you may need to apply for a permit to bring it into your destination. Always carry a copy of your prescription and transport your medication in its original container.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Always carry an ID, such as your driver's licence or a copy of your passport.

If you assault someone in any way, you may be jailed.

The blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.02%. There are frequent roadside checks for drink driving.

If you speed or drive under the influence:

• penalties are severe
• you may face jail or deportation
• you may be banned from the Schengen area

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Norway allows dual citizenship. As a Norwegian citizen, you may have to do national service if you are aged between 19 and 44. This applies to all men and women born after 1 January 1997.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Visa conditions

Norway is part of the Schengen area, along with many other European countries. You may be able to enter Norway without a tourist visa. In other situations, you'll need a visa.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Norway for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Travel via Svalbard

The Norwegian territory of Svalbard is not part of the Schengen area.

If you're travelling to Svalbard, you'll need a valid passport to enter.

You must also meet Schengen area entry requirements when returning to Norway's mainland.

Other formalities

Norway has border controls at:

• ferry crossings from Sweden, Denmark and Germany
• at the land border between Norway and Sweden, and Russia.

Always carry your passport to enter and exit, even if you're travelling within the Schengen area.

Border controls between Norway and Russia have been tightened. You should only approach the border along the road leading to the Storskog border crossing station.

Validity

Passports of non-EEA nationals, including Australians, must have been issued in the last 10 years and be valid at least 3 months from the date of departure from Norway. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Border crossings

Always carry your passport when crossing borders, including within the Schengen area.

Get an entry stamp in your passport from border control staff when you first enter the Schengen area.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Currency

Norway's official currency is the Norwegian Kroner (NOK). Norway won't accept the Euro in most situations.

You can bring up to the equivalent of 25,000 NOK in cash into Norway.

You need to pay a customs toll and a fine if you arrive with more than 25,000 NOK.

More information:

• Directorate of Norwegian Customs

Access to money

Norway accepts some foreign debit and credit cards in some outlets. These may incur a surcharge fee.

Credit card transactions usually need a credit card with a microchip and PIN, not a signature.

Local restrictions

Domestic COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in Norway and replaced with recommendations if you feel unwell.

Advice on testing if you have symptoms of COVID and staying home if you test positive is available in English on Norway's official COVID-19 website.

Driving permit

Australian driving licences are valid in Norway for up to 3 months. However, some car rental companies may require customers to present an International Driving Permit (IDP) regardless.

If you need an IDP, get this before you leave Australia. An IDP does not replace the requirement for a regular driver's license.

If your driving licence is not written with Latin letters or doesn't include your licence number, a photograph or an issuing date, you'll need an IDP to drive in Norway.

Road travel

Speed limits are low. Roads can be dangerous in winter due to ice. The weather can change quickly, and snow can block rural roads. Plan ahead.

Rural roads are usually 2 lanes. They can be narrow and winding in mountainous regions. Take particular care when driving outside urban areas. Check signs for animal crossings, such as moose or deer crossings.

The northern lights can distract drivers, making them lose control or stop without warning. This can create a hazard for other road users.

By law, when driving, headlights must be on at all times, and it's illegal to use your mobile phone. The authorities impose heavy fines for speeding and strictly enforce drink driving law.

Winter tyres must be fitted from 1 November to the first Monday after Easter Monday. Carry snow chains in your vehicle if you intend to drive in the mountains during this period.

Road rules and conditions are available at the Norwegian Public Road Administration.

More information:

•  Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check that your travel insurance policy covers you when riding a motorcycle.

Always wear a helmet.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Norway's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 110.

Medical emergencies

Call 113.

If not life-threatening, out-of-hours medical advice is available on +47 116117.

Police

Call 112.

Always get a police report when reporting a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Norway.

You can seek emergency consular help from the Canadian Embassy in Oslo:

Canadian Embassy, Oslo

Wergelandsveien 7, 4th floor
0244 Oslo
Norway
Phone: (+47) 22 99 53 00
Email: oslo@international.gc.ca

You can also seek consular help from the Australian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark:

Australian Embassy, Copenhagen

Dampfaergevej 26, 2nd floor
2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark
Phone: +45 7026 3676
Email: copenhagen.embassy@dfat.gov.au 
Website: denmark.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Denmark, Norway and Iceland
Twitter: @AusEmbDK

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an Embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia