Safety, sustainable tourism and accessibility in Norway: what travellers and residents need to know (2025 guide)

Norway is known for its stunning fjords and the harsh northern nature. People travelling here or living here should know about the possible dangers of the area, the rules about the environment, and how to stay safe. Travelling in Norway is safe, responsible and comfortable for everyone when people with disabilities can adapt their routes, when tourism is conscious of its impact and when travellers know the rules. Below are the 10 most important questions with up-to-date information, useful tips and practical life hacks for 2025.

What are the emergency numbers you need to know in Norway?

There are three main emergency numbers in Norway:

113 — Ambulance (Ambulanse)

110 — Fire brigade (Brannvesenet)

112 is the number for the police.

If you call from a mobile phone, even if it has no SIM card, the call will still go through. If you need to call the rescue service in the mountains or on the water, you can also use the number 120 (Redningsselskapet). All services are in English. Here's a helpful tip: download the Hjelp 113 app. This app sends your exact location to the emergency services automatically. This saves them precious time.

What natural dangers are there in Norway?

The main risks are avalanches in winter and spring, storms on the coast and strong winds on mountain plateaus. Make sure you check the weather forecast on the websites yr.no and varsom.no to see if there is any avalanche danger. When you're planning a hike, make sure you register your route in the UT.no app. In winter, it is essential to have an avalanche kit (shovel, probe, sensor), and in summer, waterproof clothing and a GPS device. Here's a handy tip: most tourist offices offer free advice on the weather and the route.

What should you do if you meet a moose or a bear?

The most common animals you might see are moose and reindeer. The most important rule is to keep a distance of at least 30 metres, do not approach and do not feed them. If there is a moose on the road, slow down, stop and let it leave. You are very unlikely to encounter a bear. There are about 150 bears in the country, mainly in the north. If you meet a bear, do not run away. Instead, slowly back away from it. Speak loudly but not aggressively. Here's a handy tip: if you're on a route where there might be wild animals, take a bell or whistle with you. This will help to scare the animals away before they get too close.

What do you need to know about sustainable tourism rules in Norway?

The most important rule is called 'Leave No Trace'. This means: take all your rubbish with you, use biodegradable soap, follow the rules on campfires and do not damage plants. You can camp in the wild (Allemannsretten), but you cannot put your tent closer than 150 metres from someone else's home. There are areas in national parks where you are not allowed to camp. Look at the maps in advance to find out where these are (for example, Nasjonalparkstyre.no). Here's a handy tip: collect rubbish when you're out walking, take it to recycling points, and you'll get a discount on parking or entry to museums.

How easy is it for people with special needs to get around Norway?

Norway is very accessible: most hotels, restaurants and museums have ramps and lifts. Public transport (buses, trains and ferries) has spaces and toilets for disabled people. There are some great routes in national parks like Rondane and Hardangervidda that are easy for wheelchairs to use. The Tilgjengelighet Norge app shows accessible places and routes throughout the country. Tip: When booking a place to stay, look for special rooms. These are common in Norway and usually free.

What should you do if you have an accident in the mountains or on the water?

If there is an accident in the mountains or on the water, call the emergency number 113 or the rescue service 120 straight away. Stay calm, shield the injured person from wind and rain, and do not move them unless absolutely necessary. It is important to indicate the exact location (use GPS or the Hjelp 113 app). If the connection is poor, send an SMS with the coordinates. Here's a handy tip: download the Nødplakat app on your phone. It's free and it will show you a map with the location of rescuers.

How safe is Norway for people travelling there?

Norway is thought to be one of the safest countries in the world. There is very little violent crime. The main risk is pickpocketing in busy tourist areas (like Oslo Central Station or Torgalmenningen Square in Bergen). Don't leave your valuables unattended and don't show off expensive equipment in front of other people. Tip: Make sure you keep your passport, bank cards and large amounts of cash in the hotel safe. Only carry a small amount of cash with you.

How can you travel around Norway without damaging the environment?

Instead of using petrol cars, you could choose public transport (trains, buses and ferries), rent an electric vehicle (EV) or a bicycle. Use bottles you can use again (tap water is very good), buy products with minimal packaging and choose local products. Use reusable bags when you go shopping. Here's a handy tip: travelling by electric car is good for the environment and can save you up to 50% on toll roads and ferries.

What steps has Norway taken to protect the environment?

From 2025, there will be strict rules on how often you can use plastic and higher fines for polluting the environment (from 2,000 kr to 10,000 kr). There is a low-emission zone (lavutslippssone) in cities, where diesel cars older than 2015 are not allowed or have to pay a fee (50 kr/day). There are now areas where you can't drive on the coast and in the parks. Tip: Look out for signs marked 'miljøsone' and 'plastfri sone' to avoid fines.

What can you do to help local communities in Norway?

Support local businesses by buying their goods and services. This could be family restaurants, farmers' markets or small hotels. Take part in local events and volunteer projects like FjordClean, where you can pick up litter and help restore nature. This makes life better for the local people and helps to protect the environment.

Norway is one of the safest and most environmentally responsible countries in the world. If you know the basic rules and follow simple tips, you can enjoy the nature and culture without risking your health or damaging the environment. I hope your trip is full of awareness and inspiration!