Add organization

What surprising laws should tourists know about in Norway?

Sex purchase, CBD, campfires, alcohol and camping rules.

Answered at: Checked at:

Short answer

Buying sex, bringing in CBD products made from the cannabis plant and lighting campfires in nature in summer are all against the law in Norway. The fire ban runs from 15 April to 15 September. Selling sex is legal, and you may camp on uncultivated land, but at least 150 metres from the nearest house or cabin.

Rules of conduct for tourists in Norway a shield icon with a check mark next to a tent and a small no-campfire sign on a green hillside

Why

  1. Buying sexual services is punishable under section 316 of the Penal Code with a fine or up to one year in prison, while selling sex is legal.
  2. The Norwegian Medical Products Agency treats CBD products based on plant material and extracts from the cannabis plant as narcotics, and using or holding small amounts of narcotics can mean up to six months in prison.
  3. Campfires in nature are banned from 15 April to 15 September, except where the fire hazard is low, such as by the sea or at an approved campfire site.

Details

Alcohol rules also surprise many visitors: beer, cider and alcopops up to 4.7 per cent are sold in grocery shops, but stronger drinks only at Vinmonopolet, and grocery sales stop at 20:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on the day before a Sunday or public holiday at the latest. The right to roam lets you camp on uncultivated land, but if you want to stay more than two nights in the same place, you must ask the landowner, except in the mountains or very remote areas. Cars, motorhomes and caravans may only be driven or parked where the motor vehicle rules allow.

Tip

Leave CBD oils and similar cannabis products at home, and in summer only light a fire where it is clearly allowed, such as at an approved campfire site.

What may differ

Municipalities can set local rules, and national parks and other protected areas can have stricter regulations on camping, fires and traffic.

Common misconception

Because selling sex is legal in Norway, buying it is legal too.

What actually happens

Buying sex has been a crime in Norway since 2009. The law punishes the buyer, not the seller.

People also ask

  • What is illegal in Norway?
  • What is not allowed in Norway?
  • What are some strange laws in Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Norwegian Police (Politiet) or Lovdata before you travel.

Rules of conduct for tourists in Norway

  • Are there mosquitoes and midges in Norway?

    Mosquitoes and biting midges are common in Norway in summer, but in Norway their bites are harmless, although they itch and can swell.

    Checked at:

  • Is dumpster diving legal in Norway?

    Dumpster diving is generally not legal in Norway, because the bins usually stand on private property and the waste belongs to the business until it is collected.

    Checked at:

  • Do police officers in Norway carry guns?

    Yes, Norwegian police officers have generally carried firearms on duty since 1 July 2025, within limits set by the Norwegian Police Directorate (Politidirektoratet).

    Checked at:

  • Are there many homeless people in Oslo?

    The City of Oslo counted 1,459 homeless households in its own survey in late 2024, using the national definition of homelessness.

    Checked at:
Help