Long-term stay in Norway: healthcare, taxes and insurance for expats

If you're planning to live and work in Norway for a while, it's really important to understand the healthcare system, taxes and private insurance options. I know that you must be wondering about the fastlege and egenandelstak, whether it's worth buying private insurance and how you can get reimbursed for medical expenses. We'll explain everything in detail in this article, so read on!

How does the fastlege + spesialist system work and how much does it cost to see an orthopaedic surgeon?

When you need to see a specialist, your first point of call in Norway is your fastlege, or family doctor. All you need to do to see an orthopaedic surgeon is get your doctor to give you an electronic referral (called a henviser). Don't worry – an orthopaedic consultation under the public quota is really affordable at only NOK 375, plus egenandel R-1. Don't worry - you won't have to wait in a long queue to get a private consultation! It only costs around NOK 1,800 for 30 minutes, and you don't need a referral to get one either. If you're an expat, you'll be pleased to know that the public scheme offers great savings (insurance covers 100%!). The only thing to bear in mind is that you might have to wait a little while for an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon through a fastlege, as it can take 4 to 6 weeks.

Do I need private insurance if my employer already pays TRYGD (social insurance)?

Don't worry - Trygd covers basic medical services and temporary disability. Just so you know, though, it doesn't include dentistry, glasses, treatment in private hospitals, or medical evacuation abroad. So, if you're an expat, I'd really recommend taking out extra private insurance ('Bedrift Gold'). The great news is that the cost of such a policy is around NOK 4,500 per year. It gives you free access to private doctors (usually around NOK 1,200 per visit) and your employer gives you a tax-free bonus of up to NOK 2,000 per year, which is great news for both of you.

What are the waiting times for MRI scans under the state system and is it worth paying privately?

The average waiting time for an MRI scan under the state programme is 42 days, and in Oslo the queue can be up to 70 days. If you're not able to wait, you can get an MRI scan at the Aleris private clinic in just 2 days for around NOK 3,200. If your doctor says it's urgent, don't worry! Private Plus insurance will cover up to 80% of the cost of private diagnostics. If you're an athlete, or someone with acute pain or a serious injury, it's a good idea to pay for private services to avoid long waits.

And another question: is insurance compensation for accidents taxable?

Hey, just so you know, if you're hurt and the insurance payout is less than 500,000 NOK, you won't have to pay tax on it. Don't worry if the compensation is more than this amount – the balance will just be subject to capital tax (22%), but not mandatory social security contributions (F-trygd). If you're not a local, please remember to report any payments you've received on your RF-1030 tax return. Otherwise, you might be fined 20% of the amount you didn't declare. We don't want to be unkind, but we do need to make sure everyone plays by the same rules. The insurance company will give you a special form, 'Forsikringsutbetaling SKV', which tells you exactly how much you need to pay tax on. This makes completing your tax return a breeze!

How to get a second opinion at the expense of insurance?

And if you need a second opinion, our special policy lets you consult the best foreign specialists from Mayo or Charité clinics at the insurance company's expense. We'll take care of collecting and translating all your medical documents, and then you'll get a second opinion from a doctor within 10 working days. In Norway, this service costs around NOK 12,000, with insurance covering up to €10,000. Don't worry, if the second specialist changes the initial diagnosis or course of treatment, the insurance company will cover the costs of any subsequent procedures and treatment at any European clinic.

How much does private dentistry cost and what services does Helfo cover?

We all know how expensive private dentistry can be. I mean, just think about it: a filling for tooth decay costs around NOK 1,100, and a crown costs around NOK 6,500. The government's Helfo system is there to help, but it's got its limits. For now, it can only cover some dental services, like treatment for gum disease, putting in implants after an injury, and dental care for kids and teens. It's such a shame, but tourists and expats without a personal number won't be able to take advantage of these reimbursements. But don't worry, there's a way to make it even better! Dental Cover insurance (around €65/month) will give you back up to 75% of the cost of most services. If you're looking for a more affordable option, the OsloMet student clinic might be worth checking out (NOK 400), though be prepared for a waitlist that can be up to two months long.

And if you're wondering whether insurance covers physiotherapy after an injury, the answer is yes!

The great news is that the public health system covers about 70% of the cost of physiotherapy. The only thing to bear in mind is that this is only after the 25th day following the injury, and you'll need a referral from a general practitioner. We know how important it is for you to get the treatment you need, so if you have private insurance with Private Physio, you'll be reimbursed for up to 10 sessions at a cost of approximately NOK 600 each. If you don't have private insurance, you'll have to pay the full amount yourself, which can be a bit of a worry. If you're a tourist or expat without a D number, you'll have to settle for commercial physiotherapy. The average cost of a 50-minute massage session is around NOK 790.

How does the ‘egenandelstak’ cash quota work and what should you do if you reach it?

Don't worry – there's an annual cap on out-of-pocket medical expenses (in 2025, it is 3030 NOK). Don't worry, it includes all the things you need, like doctor visits, lab tests and psychotherapy. Don't worry, once you reach the limit, the system will automatically issue an electronic exemption card (frikort) for you, which you can find on the Helsenorge portal. Hey, just a friendly reminder to please present your Frikort at each visit to ensure you continue to receive free medical services until the end of the year. And don't worry - this scheme is for everyone, whether you're a tourist or not, and it doesn't matter if you have private insurance.

I was wondering if it would be possible to switch completely to private healthcare and not pay contributions?

I totally understand that it's not easy to switch completely to private healthcare and refuse to pay contributions (trygdeavgift). In Norway, everyone has to pay social security contributions (8.2% of your income), no matter if you use public healthcare or prefer private clinics. Don't worry - private insurance is just an extra layer of support on top of the state programme. The only people who don't have to pay contributions are diplomats and employees of international organisations like NATO.

I was wondering if you could tell me whether insurance covers remote surgery with the Da Vinci robot in Oslo?

Absolutely! If you've got a Premium Surgery insurance policy, you'll be covered for all sorts of high-tech operations, including robotic surgical procedures using the Da Vinci machine. And the great news is that the coverage is up to €50,000! All you need to do to get the ball rolling is get the conclusions of two medical specialists and get the insurance company to give it the green light. Without insurance, it would cost around NOK 280,000. If you go private, you could be waiting up to a year and a half for your surgery, while under the state scheme you might be looking at around six months. And don't worry, your post-operative rehabilitation is also covered by the insurance.

Now you know everything there is to know about the Norwegian healthcare system and insurance for long-term stays. We're here to help you organise your stay in the country so that you can feel right at home, without breaking the bank!