🌍💼Seasonal work and internships in the land of fjords: how to choose medical insurance

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a lawyer, doctor or insurance specialist.

Check the current rules on the UDI, NAV and Helsenorge websites. Planning to spend 1–6 months in a seasonal role or internship? Below is how to avoid being left without cover: what to ask your insurer, how a ‘work’ policy differs from a tourist policy, where EHIC/GHIC works and what to keep in your ‘medical wallet’.

Related: Polar night: productivity without stress, Layers and wardrobe: office by day, trail by night (/gear/layers-office-to-trail), Combo commute: train + bike (/transport/combocommute-norway).

🛡️ Why do seasonal workers and interns need separate insurance?

Travel insurance policies often do not cover injuries sustained while working or ‘physical labour’ — this is explicitly stated in the exclusions. Even if you are from the EU/EEA/UK and have an EHIC/GHIC, these cards only give you access to essential state medical care and do not cover repatriation, private clinics or rescue services — you need separate insurance for travel and work.

If you are employed locally, you are usually included in the national insurance system (Folketrygden), which determines your entitlement to healthcare services; membership status depends on the basis: residence or work. However, registration and access to a GP/family doctor take time — private insurance is still useful for the first few weeks.

📅 Types of coverage: 1–3 months / 3–12 months / internships (‘work duties’)

1–3 months. Look for ‘short-stay work & study’ or ‘business/working abroad’ with explicit inclusion of work duties (factory, warehouse, farm, kitchen line, laboratory). Mandatory: emergency assistance, hospitalisation, evacuation/repatriation, 24/7 assistance. Basic EHIC/GHIC cards do not replace such a policy.

3–12 months. Check when you become a member of Folketrygden (through work/residence). Until membership is confirmed, take out private insurance; thereafter, combine state insurance with private insurance for repatriation/gaps.

Interns/students. For students from the EU/EEA, EHIC may be sufficient, but if your home authorities consider that you have transferred your normal place of residence, you will need to take out private insurance for the first 12 months. Universities often require a separate policy and warn that they do not insure you themselves.

❓ What to check with your insurer: coverage, excess, pre-authorisation, exclusions

• Work duties. Ask directly: ‘Are injuries covered while performing work duties at [type of facility/role]?’
• Exclusions. Often excluded: physical labour, working at heights, warehouse equipment, off-piste skiing, mountaineering, diving.
• Deductible and limits. Find out the amount of the deductible and the limit per incident/day; ask for examples of how the bill would be calculated.
• Pre-authorisation. Is a referral required for MRI/hospitalisation? Is there direct billing (no out-of-pocket expenses) or only reimbursement of receipts?
• Repatriation/evacuation. EHIC/GHIC cards do not cover this — check the amount and conditions of evacuation.

📂 Documents and ‘medical portfolio’ for travel

• Policy in PDF and paper form, 24/7 assistance contact details.
• EHIC/GHIC (if applicable). For British citizens, GHIC can also be used in the country of the fjords for necessary state medical assistance (not instead of a policy).
• Passport, list of medications and dosages in English, prescriptions for 30–60 days.
• Address of the nearest legevakt and numbers: 113 — emergency assistance, 116 117 — emergency assistance outside GP hours.

🧾 Safe habits on site

• Keep all receipts and statements (diagnosis, service code, amounts).
• If the injury occurred at work, check with your employer for the procedure and insurer for yrkesskadeforsikring (mandatory for all employers). This is employer insurance and does not replace your personal policy.
• Do not delay in contacting legevakt in case of head injury, suspected fracture or severe pain — it is open 24/7 at night.

✅ Checklist before purchasing a policy

• Travel dates and type of employment (employee/intern/contract).
• Work duties included? Are there any exceptions for physical labour?
• Evacuation/repatriation and limit (€50,000–100,000 and above).
• Excess and who pays on site: you or the insurance company (direct billing).
• Sports/leisure: Are trails and skiing included; what about off-piste skiing?
• Pre-authorisation: when to call assistance before your visit.

EHIC/GHIC included (if applicable) and how it works in the country.

🌐 Nuances for different passports (briefly)

• EU/EEA. Take EHIC + private insurance for repatriation and gaps; if you are employed locally, switch to the Folketrygden system.
• United Kingdom. GHIC/EHIC give access to necessary state medical assistance in the land of fjords; you still need a repatriation policy and private expenses.
• Non-EU/EEA/UK. For a number of visa categories, you will be asked for private medical insurance for the entire period — refer to the UDI checklist for your category (student/trainee/seasonal).

🗺️ Quick route

• Check: do you need insurance for your visa/category for the entire period (UDI).
• Check: membership in Folketrygden through work/residence (NAV).
• Purchase a policy with ‘work duties’, evacuation and direct billing.
• Make a note: 113 and 116 117, address of the nearest legevakt.
• Print out the policy + collect your ‘medical portfolio’.