🩺 Fastlege in Norway: choosing a family doctor without mistakes

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and does not replace a doctor's consultation. If you have acute symptoms, call 113 or go to the emergency room (legevakt).

This guide provides a brief overview of the system: why you need a fastlege, how to choose a doctor near your home/work, how to prepare for your first appointment, and when to skip the GP and go to the emergency room. Related topics: Seasonal work: how to choose insurance (/health/seasonal-work-insurance), Layers and wardrobe: office → trail (/gear/layers-office-to-trail).

🧭 Why do you need a fastlege and how does it help?

Fastlege is your first point of contact in the system: check-ups, basic diagnostics, referrals to specialists, prescription renewals and sick notes. Residents who are registered as living in the municipality (national register) are entitled to a GP. Holders of only a D-number are generally not entitled to fastlege (there are exceptions).

An online profile on Helsenorge — the official health portal; GP, prescriptions, appointments and messages are pulled there, depending on what your clinic supports.

✅ Selection criteria: distance, language, online booking, prescriptions

• Proximity and accessibility. You can change your fastlege online via the Bytte fastlege service; if the doctor has no vacancies, join the waiting list (one list at a time). Usually, you can change up to twice a year.
• Language. Most doctors speak English, but this is not guaranteed. You have the right to an interpreter, and the medical service will arrange for a qualified interpreter — please indicate your need when booking.
• Online services. Some GPs offer: online booking, e-consultation, prescription renewal (e-resept) — this is visible after logging into Helsenorge; the range of services is determined by the clinic
• Login/access. To log in to Helsenorge, you need an eID: BankID / Buypass / Commfides. In the Helsenorge app, you can enable biometrics after logging in for the first time via ID-porten.

🗂 Preparing for your first visit: medical records, documents, payment

What to bring:

• Passport/ID, list of medications and dosages, allergies and previous diagnoses; vaccination records.
• Pharmacy number/name (for e-prescriptions). You can view your prescriptions and remaining doses in your personal account on Helsenorge.

Payment:

• When you visit a GP, you will be charged a user fee (egenandel) at the established rates. There is an annual limit: once you reach the threshold, you will receive a frikort (exemption from fees until the end of the year). For 2025, the limit is 3,278 NOK.

How to register:

• Go to Helsenorge and check what your clinic offers: ‘Bestill time’ (book an appointment), ‘Forny resept’ (renew prescription), ‘E-konsultasjon’ (online consultation). Not all GPs support the full range of online services.

🚑 When to skip the fastlege and go to the emergency room

• Life-threatening/acute — 113. Trauma, severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, etc. — call 113.
• Emergency services (legevakt) — 116 117. If you cannot wait for a GP appointment (evening/night/weekend), call 116 117 — they will advise you whether to go to the emergency department.

📝 First appointment checklist

• You have chosen a GP through Bytte fastlege and checked the availability of online services.
• You have prepared a list of medications/allergies/diagnoses + the names of pharmacies.
• You have taken your documents and a list of questions (symptoms, duration, what makes it worse/better).
• Checked payment: egenandel, as well as your frikort status (if the limit has been reached).
• Know the emergency numbers: 113 / 116 117.

The right fastlege is close, understandable and digital: a short distance, understandable language (or a translator), e-services where you need them, and a stress-free appointment.