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Can you take photos of people in Norway without asking?

Consent, exceptions for crowds and events, children and taking pictures down again.

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Short answer

Norwegian rules focus on sharing: if a person is the main subject, you need their consent before sharing the photo, while crowds, such as a 17 May parade, are exceptions. Store norske leksikon explains this right to your own image: a photo of a person may not be reproduced or shown publicly without their consent.

Photos of people in Norway: rules and tips a small Norwegian flag on a stick, a bunad-style ribbon and a plate of waffles

Why

  1. Store norske leksikon (updated 9 June 2026) lists exceptions: pictures of current or general interest, pictures where the person is less important than the main content, and pictures of gatherings, outdoor processions or events of general interest.
  2. dubestemmer.no, run by Datatilsynet and the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training, says you need consent from everyone who can be identified when people are the main subject, whether you share openly or in closed groups.
  3. ung.no, the public information channel for young people, notes that sharing pictures of others without permission can be illegal under section 104 of the Copyright Act (åndsverkloven).

Details

The exception for crowds applies only if the pictures are not offensive or harmful to the people in them, dubestemmer.no adds; its examples are a 17 May procession and spectators at a football match. If someone agrees and later regrets it, you must help remove the picture, and anyone who can see a shared picture can save it and pass it on.

Tip

Ask before you post a picture where a stranger is clearly the subject, and get a clear yes; dubestemmer.no advises asking every time you want to share pictures of particular people.

What may differ

Children: according to ung.no, if a picture shows people under 15, you also need permission from their parents.

People also ask

  • Is it legal to photograph people in public in Norway?
  • Can you post photos of strangers online in Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Datatilsynet before you publish photos of others.

Photos of people in Norway: rules and tips
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