Do US citizens need a visa to visit Norway?
Visa-free stays, passport rules, EES and ETIAS for US travellers.
Short answer
No, US citizens can visit Norway without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across the whole Schengen Area. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave. On your first entry, your fingerprints and a facial image are recorded in the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Why
- UDI lists the United States among the countries whose citizens do not need a visa to visit Norway.
- The US Department of State also says that no visa is required for stays of 90 days or less.
- Since 10 April 2026 the EES has replaced passport stamps, and it registers short-stay visitors from outside the EU, including Americans.
Details
At the border you may be asked to show that you can pay for your stay. UDI's guideline is NOK 500 for each day, shown as cash, cards or prepaid accommodation and transport, and you must be able to travel back home. ETIAS, the planned online travel authorisation for visa-free visitors, is not in operation yet, and its start date will be announced several months in advance.
Tip
Do not pay any website for an ETIAS yet: no applications are being accepted, and the official start date will be announced months ahead.
What may differ
Your passport decides, not where you live: a US green card holder with another citizenship follows the rules for that country. To work or to stay longer than 90 days, you need a residence permit. Svalbard is outside Schengen, so bring your passport for travel between the mainland and Svalbard.
Common misconception
Americans can spend 90 days in Norway and then another 90 days in Sweden or another Schengen country.
What actually happens
The 90 days cover the whole Schengen Area together. Days in Sweden, Denmark or Finland on the same trip count towards the same limit.
People also ask
- Do Americans need a visa for Norway?
- Do I need a visa for Norway from the USA?
- Does Norway require a visa for US citizens?
Sources
- UDI: Persons who do not need a visa to visit NorwayChecked at:
- UDI: Visit Norway without a visa (US citizens)Checked at:
- US Department of State: Norway travel informationChecked at:
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System (EES)Checked at:
- Norwegian Police: ETIASChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Entry rules can change, so check UDI before you travel.
Travelling and moving to NorwayRelated questions
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Does Norway have a working holiday visa?
Norway gives working holiday permits only to young citizens of six countries: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Andorra and Canada.
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Do I need to stop at customs when driving into Norway from Sweden?
When you drive into Norway from Sweden, you only need to stop at customs if you have goods over the quota or value limit to declare.
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What happens if I bring more than the duty-free quota into Norway?
If you declare the goods over the quota and pay the duty, you keep them, but undeclared goods found by customs lead to a fine and are confiscated.
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How do I declare goods at Norwegian customs?
You declare goods either in Tolletaten's Kvoteappen before you reach the border or in the red channel at a staffed customs office, where you pay the duty.