Public healthcare and insurance in Norway: what you need to know when moving there for a long time?

We all know how easy it is for a health emergency to happen anywhere, and Norway is definitely no exception. I know the medical infrastructure is really good here, but it's still worth knowing how to call an ambulance, how to chat with doctors even if you don't speak the same language, and what to expect if you don't have insurance. In this article, we're going to answer 10 questions about hospitalisation, payment and communicating with doctors in emergencies in Norway.

I was wondering if you could help me? I'm not able to speak Norwegian and I'd like to know how to call an ambulance in Norway.

If you need urgent help in Norway, please don't hesitate to call 112 (the European emergency number) or 113 (the medical service). Operators will be speaking English, and if English isn't your first language, don't worry! They'll connect you to an interpreter via conference call. If you're a foreign tourist, please let them know by saying 'foreigner, need ambulance'. Then, please give them your exact location (address, coordinates or Google Maps Plus Code) and describe your symptoms. Don't worry, the dispatcher will be able to tell you whether to expect a regular ambulance or an air ambulance ('luftambulanse') depending on how serious the situation is. Don't forget to have your passport and insurance with you – you'll be asked to show these when you arrive. Don't worry, you'll still get help even if you don't have all your documents, but you'll need to pay later.

I was wondering, how much would one night in a Norwegian hospital cost without insurance?

I totally understand that without insurance, a hospital stay in Norway is going to be expensive. I know how much it costs to stay in hospital can be really worrying, so I'm here to tell you that the average cost per bed per day in the summer of 2025 for non-residents is NOK 15,000–18,000 in a regular ward and NOK 25,000–30,000 in an intensive care unit. Don't worry - these amounts include meals, standard medications and diagnostics. Don't worry, we will make sure to cover any other procedures you might need (surgery, MRI, haemodialysis) separately. If you don't have insurance, the hospital will usually ask for a deposit of around NOK 50,000 by bank card. It's always a good idea to keep hold of all your documents, so you can submit them to your insurance company later and receive compensation if insurance is found retroactively.

I'd love to be able to choose in advance which hospital I'll be taken to in an emergency.

In Norway, we always make sure to take patients to the nearest hospital that can provide the medical care they need (the 'closest adequate facility'). But if you have a Premium insurance policy with the 'hospital of choice' option, you can specify your preferred hospital in advance (e.g. Oslo University Hospital or Haukeland Bergen). We're so happy to hear that your condition is stable after the first aid you received. If it is, don't worry - the insurance company will arrange for you to be transferred to the clinic you selected, and they'll cover all the costs! If you don't have insurance, transferring between regions by helicopter or ambulance can cost anything from 10,000 to 40,000 NOK, so it's definitely worth considering adding this option to your policy in advance (which would only cost about €6 per week).

I would love to be able to chat with the doctors, but unfortunately I don't speak English or Norwegian. Do you know how I can get in touch?

Hey, just so you know, if you're in need of a free video translation service in 40 languages, including Russian, the large hospitals in Norway have you covered! All you have to do is use the Norsk Tolk service, and you're good to go. When you arrive, just let the staff know you need an interpreter and they'll sort you out with one quickly. Don't worry - in smaller clinics, interpreters are paid 450 NOK for the first 20 minutes and 18 NOK for each additional minute! Hey, here's a helpful tip for you! Make sure you download the iTalk Medic RU-NO app beforehand. It's got all these super useful medical phrases translated into Norwegian, so you're all set! The great news is that insurance companies often help out with the cost of an interpreter, so you don't have to worry about that. Just make sure you keep hold of your receipts and attach them to your claim.

I would love to know if there is any charge for an initial examination at the emergency department (Legevakt).

If you're a tourist without a European EHIC card, the initial examination at the Legevakt emergency department will cost NOK 1,235. Don't worry - this amount includes everything you need! It includes a general practitioner's examination, standard blood tests and a basic X-ray (e.g. of the limbs). Hey, just so you know, if you've got an EHIC, you'll only have to pay NOK 336 (the patient fee). Don't worry if your insurance company doesn't pay the cost of services straight away – sometimes they may temporarily block this amount on your bank card as a deposit. Don't worry - you'll definitely get all your money back! All you need to do is make sure you keep hold of your receipt (kvittering) so you can get your reimbursement through your insurance company.

I'm worried that I might not be able to get treatment if I can't pay.

Don't worry, because Norwegian law (Specialist Health Services Act § 3-1) says that medical institutions can't turn away emergency care because of money. Don't worry, we'll make sure the patient is stabilised and given first aid, even if they don't have insurance or money. Once you've had your treatment, the hospital will send you an invoice which you can pay back within 60 days. If you're not able to pay, don't worry - the debt will be sent to a collection agency, but they'll be really nice and won't take any legal action, even in your country of residence. I totally understand how stressful debt can be. I know it can affect your ability to get visas in the future, so I really want to reassure you that there is nothing more important than getting medical insurance before you travel.

I would love to know how long medical records are kept for and how I can get my hands on them.

I totally understand how important it is to keep your medical records safe and secure. In Norway, we make sure to keep electronic patient records (EPJ) for at least 10 years. Hey residents, we're so excited to let you know that you can now access your records right from your bank ID on the On Patient Portal! 😊 If you don't have a BankID, please submit a written request to the hospital. Don't worry, the printout will be ready in about 15 working days. Cost: It would be NOK 100 for the first page and just NOK 1 for each additional page, which I think is really reasonable. Just a heads-up that insurance companies usually need a medical report with a diagnosis according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) in English, so it's always a good idea to check this with your doctor in advance.

I would love to know how I can pay a bill from Norway, now that I've already returned home.

If you're receiving a bill for treatment after your trip to Norway, don't worry - you can pay it easily using an international bank transfer. All you need to do is use the clinic's IBAN and the special KID code that's on the invoice. The commission is usually around €20, which is really reasonable. Hey, just a friendly reminder to make sure your bank supports international payments according to the lovely folks at ISO 20022. If you have any concerns at all, please get in touch with the clinic and they will be happy to issue an invoice via PayPal or Stripe. Don't worry, we're here to help! Just make sure you keep hold of your SWIFT receipt after you've paid, and then send a copy to your insurance company so you can get the compensation you deserve.

I was wondering if you could tell me how much a simultaneous interpreter costs in the operating theatre, especially if it's for a rare language?

If a rare language is needed that isn't offered by Norsk Tolk, the hospital will get a simultaneous interpreter through the Semantix agency. The cost of this service is from NOK 2,400 for the first two hours and NOK 750 per hour thereafter. The patient is responsible for the costs, but don't worry, most insurance policies cover up to €500. If you've got an operation booked and need an interpreter, please let the hospital know at least 72 hours before, so they can make sure they have one ready for you. Otherwise, they might not be able to find someone, and that would be a shame for you!

I'd be really grateful if you could tell me how I can find out if the hospital accepts my credit card insurance.

Hey, just so you know, most premium bank cards (like Visa/Mastercard Platinum and above) include travel insurance and work with Global Assistance Group. Hey, if you need a letter of guarantee for the hospital, just give us a ring on the number on the back of your card, okay? If the hospital doesn't accept insurance directly, you'll need to pay for the services yourself, but don't worry, the bank will refund the money to your account when you get back. And don't forget to activate your insurance in advance! Most of the time, paying for your tickets with your card is enough.

Now you know what to do in an emergency in Norway and how to prepare for unforeseen circumstances in advance. I really love living in Norway. It's such a safe place to live, even in times of crisis. The healthcare system is really reliable, the doctors are so competent, and the procedures are really clear. Take care of your health and don't forget to take out insurance, and the beauty of the fjords and the comfort of Norwegian clinics will ensure you have peace of mind and confidence on your trip.