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Do you have to pay if you are rescued in the Norwegian mountains?

Who pays for a rescue, when a claim is possible and what insurance is for.

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Short answer

As a rule you do not pay to be rescued in Norway, since the state covers search and rescue and can only claim compensation after gross negligence or intent. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre itself describes being rescued in Norway as free. Medical treatment afterwards is separate and depends on your health cover and travel insurance.

Extreme sports in Norway: insurance and evacuation a shield icon with a check mark next to a tent and a small no-campfire sign on a green hillside

Why

  1. In its 50th anniversary book, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Hovedredningssentralen) tells of a family abroad who raised money for a rescue and were surprised to learn that being rescued in Norway is free.
  2. Under the centre's guidelines on refunds after rescue operations, public bodies bear all their own costs, and volunteers and private individuals can have documented expenses refunded from the state budget.
  3. After an operation, the rescue centres assess whether to claim compensation from the person who caused it, but only if the conduct was grossly negligent or intentional, and the ministry makes the final decision.

Details

Rescue work in Norway is a cooperation between public bodies, volunteer organisations and private companies, led by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and 13 local rescue centres run by the police districts. To raise the alarm after an accident, call 112. Searches for people presumed dead are a police task and are paid from the police budget.

Tip

Take out travel insurance that covers treatment and the journey home: Helsenorge recommends it for all visitors, and the European Health Insurance Card does not cover travel home.

What may differ

Treatment after the rescue follows other rules: with a European Health Insurance Card from the EU/EEA, Switzerland or the UK you get necessary treatment on the same terms as Norwegians, while visitors from other countries are not entitled to reimbursement from the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.

People also ask

  • Is mountain rescue free in Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Hovedredningssentralen) before you travel.

Extreme sports in Norway: insurance and evacuation

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