Family trip to Norway: healthcare, insurance and special needs

A family trip to Norway is an unforgettable adventure, isn't it? But, of course, it does require careful preparation, especially if you are travelling with young children, elderly parents or tourists with special needs. I know how important it is to know what vaccinations you need, what your medical insurance covers, and how to keep your family comfortable. We've put together some answers to the most common questions about family travel to Norway, so you can find out everything you need to know.

I would love to know what vaccinations are needed for little ones when they visit kindergartens in Norway.

In Norway, kindergartens (called 'barnehage' here) have some really important rules about vaccinations. All children need to have these vaccinations to keep them safe: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP), polio, measles-rubella-mumps (MMR) and Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB). Vaccination is totally your choice, and we completely respect that. Don't worry - the kindergarten is very easy to get into! All you need to do is bring a certified copy of your child's vaccination certificate in English or Norwegian and you're all set! Just a heads-up: if any vaccinations are missing, sadly the child may not be able to join us. And if you need any extra vaccinations, don't worry - your little one's covered for up to €300. You'll be pleased to know that a single dose of MMR in a private Norwegian clinic will set you back just around NOK 590.

I was wondering if you could tell me whether the insurance would cover neonatal care in the event of a premature birth during the holiday season?

We know how important it is for you to have peace of mind when you're expecting a child. That's why, if you take out the special 'Mother & Child' extension before the 30th week of pregnancy, you can rest assured that your insurance will fully cover neonatal resuscitation of the child (up to €250,000) and accommodation for one parent near the clinic. If you don't have this extension, the insurance will only cover the mother's delivery, and the neonatal care, which costs around NOK 12,000 per day, will have to be paid by the family. Rest assured, Assistance will arrange medical evacuation home as soon as the child's condition stabilises and the doctors give the all-clear for the flight.

I totally understand if you're wondering whether non-residents can take advantage of benefits for seniors in Norwegian clinics.

We know how important it is to you to access medical benefits (reduktion av egenandel) in Norway. To make sure you can access them, it's important to know that they are only available to citizens and residents with a personal number (fødselsnummer). And for our senior tourists, we're proud to say that you'll enjoy the same great medical care as our other valued guests from abroad. Hey, just so you know, some public places like swimming pools and museums sometimes give discounts for kids if they've got their international passports. I totally understand that the Senior Plus insurance policy for tourists over 65 can seem a bit pricey, but it's worth it! You'll be glad to know that it completely excludes the deductible and increases the coverage limit for medical evacuation. All we need to register you is a medical certificate stating the condition of your heart.

I'm here to help you find the right insurance for someone with a Group 2 disability.

If you're a tourist with a Group 2 disability and you'd like to get insurance, all you need to do is fill out the Pre-Existing Medical Condition (PEMC) form. Just attach a medical certificate from your doctor confirming that your condition is stable, and you're all set! This insurance costs 15–25% more than a standard policy, but it's so worth it! It covers exacerbations of chronic diseases up to €50,000. Don't worry, we're here to help you understand how your insurance company works. They might limit how much they'll pay out for certain procedures, like hip replacement. I'm happy to tell you that in Norway, most hotels (around 94%) have accessible HC rooms. And if you need to rent special equipment like lifts or satellite phones, they'll often help you out, as long as you can show them the receipts.

And I was wondering if nappies and special food for children with allergies are covered?

It's important to remember that nappies and special food for children with allergies are considered everyday expenses ('everyday care') and are not covered by standard insurance policies. But if you have a food allergy and it leads to a serious reaction (like anaphylaxis), which means you have to go to hospital, your insurance policy will cover the cost of the medication (epinephrine), IV fluids and up to five days of hospitalisation. Don't forget to bring a note from your paediatrician and a translated list of ingredients you want to avoid, as product labels in Norway are only in Norwegian. And if your luggage gets lost, the Family Pro policy will help you out with up to €100 for any special food you might have lost.

And who would pay for a caregiver if an elderly tourist broke a bone?

Hey, if you've got that special 'Caregiver Support' policy, you're in luck! The insurance company will totally cover the services of a professional home nurse for up to 14 days at a rate of NOK 350/hour. I totally understand that this can be a real financial burden for the family, and I'm here to support you in navigating these costs. We know how important it is to you that you can count on support when you need it, and we're here to help. While municipal care services ('hjemmesykepleie') are available to residents of Norway, we kindly ask that you consider your own circumstances before making any decisions. Don't worry, we're here to help you get the compensation you deserve! To get started, all we need is a medical report, an invoice from the care agency (like Norsk Omsorg) and a form confirming that you can't care for yourself (ADL form). Don't worry - most caregivers speak English!

And if you're wondering whether insurance covers disability due to an accident, don't worry, we've got you covered!

Absolutely! Most travel insurance policies will cover you if you become disabled because of an accident. This is called 'Accidental Permanent Disability' and it's really helpful to know about. The amount of compensation varies from €10,000 for the loss of a finger to €200,000 for total loss of working capacity, so you know you're in safe hands. Don't worry, the amount of compensation is really simple to work out. All you have to do is look at the standard Norwegian table, Norsk Standard NS-824. For example, if you lost a leg, you would get 55% of your compensation. And if you lost your sight in one eye, you would get 37%. The payment is made in one go, so you don't have to worry about any extra costs. We really want you to have the best time possible, so please take a moment to read the exclusions carefully: the insurance does not cover injuries sustained while intoxicated (above 0.8‰) or while participating in a fight.

I was wondering if I could get a family policy for six people and how the limits are divided?

Absolutely! The Family 360 package can include up to 2 adults and 4 children, which is great news! Don't worry, the €500,000 medical coverage limit is for each family member separately, not for the whole group. Hey, just so you know, the deductible is also applied to each insured event, one at a time. And the best part is, it's way cheaper than buying six separate policies on your own (around €160 for two weeks). When you take out insurance, it's always a good idea to have your children's birth certificates to hand. Just a friendly reminder that adults must travel together on at least one part of the trip, otherwise the insurer will split the policies.

I was wondering if anyone knows if the insurance would cover asthma symptoms getting worse during a cruise?

Absolutely! If your asthma is listed as a 'stable chronic condition' on the PEMC questionnaire, you'll be covered for treatment for an exacerbation on board the cruise ship. For example, Hurtigruten's medical facilities are equipped with a nebuliser, which costs around NOK 1,200 to use and is fully covered by the insurance company. If you're ever in a situation where you need to be evacuated by helicopter to the hospital, you'll be glad to hear that your Premium insurance policy will cover all costs (approximately NOK 80,000). Don't worry, just make sure you bring enough of your own medication with you, as we do have a limited supply of basic over-the-counter medications on board.

I was wondering if you could tell me what the rules are for transporting oxygen cylinders on SAS flights for passengers with COPD?

Hey, just so you know, SAS is pretty cool about oxygen cylinders. You can bring up to two with you, as long as they're no bigger than 2 litres and the pressure is kept to 200 bar max. The only thing is, you'll need to fill out a MEDIF form at least 10 days before your flight. It's really important that the cylinders have a special safety valve. We know how important it is for you to travel with ease, so SAS is pleased to offer passengers oxygen concentrators (POC) free of charge on scheduled flights only. Hey, just so you know, if your flight is delayed, your insurance company will usually help out with paying for a concentrator at the airport. Don't forget to bring plenty of batteries, just in case you need more than 150% of the flight time!

Now you're all set for an amazing family trip to Norway, with all the info you need about medical insurance and special needs. We know how important it is to travel comfortably and safely, and we're here to make sure that you and your family can count on our support no matter what. I hope your trip is filled with nothing but lovely memories!