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What happens if you are caught with drugs in Norway?

Penalties for use, possession and dealing, and what is changing.

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Short answer

Using or holding a small amount of drugs for your own use in Norway can be punished with a fine or up to six months in prison. Importing, making or passing on drugs carries up to two years, and serious cases up to 10 or 21 years. Foreign nationals can also be expelled.

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Why

  1. Norway prohibits importing, making, selling, storing and using narcotics, and use and possession of small amounts are covered by the Medicines Act (legemiddelloven), with a maximum of six months in prison.
  2. Section 231 of the Penal Code covers professional handling of drugs with an ordinary maximum of two years in prison, while serious cases under section 232 carry up to 10 years, or 21 years in particularly aggravating circumstances.
  3. What counts as a narcotic is a legal definition, and the Norwegian Medical Products Agency (DMP) keeps the detailed narcotics list (narkotikalisten).

Details

In June 2025 the Storting adopted changes that will let the police give simplified fines for small amounts for own use and refer people to a municipal advisory unit for drug cases. As of June 2026 the changes had not entered into force, and the government's draft regulation on the fines was out for consultation until 1 October 2026. Use and possession remain punishable under the new rules as well. A foreign national who has committed a crime under Norwegian law can be expelled and given an entry ban.

Tip

Do not bring cannabis or CBD products that are legal where you live, and if you take prescription medicine classed as a narcotic, check the rules with the Norwegian Medical Products Agency (DMP) before you travel.

What may differ

Cannabis that is legal in your home country is still a narcotic in Norway, and CBD products made from cannabis plant material or extracts are also treated as narcotics. For EU/EEA citizens, expulsion also requires that the person is a serious threat to public order and security.

Common misconception

Small amounts of drugs for own use are decriminalised in Norway.

What actually happens

Use and possession are still criminal offences. The changes adopted in 2025 keep the penalty of a fine or up to six months in prison and mainly change how the police respond.

People also ask

  • What are the drug laws in Norway?
  • What is the penalty for drug possession in Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Lovdata or the Norwegian government (regjeringen.no) before you travel.

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