U.S. Embassy Oslo

Morgedalsvegen 36,
0378 Oslo,
Norway
Mailing address: PO Box 4075 AMB, 0244 Oslo, Norway
Telephone: +(47) 2130-8540
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(47) 2130-8540
Fax: +(47) 2256-2751
Email: osloacs@state.gov

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Norway for information on U.S.-Norway relations.

Visit the Royal Norwegian Embassy website for the most current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement.

Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your period of stay if you plan on transiting a Schengen country. Please review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page. We recommend you have at least six month’s validity remaining.

You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket. 

The 12-page U.S. emergency passport is not valid for visa-free entry into Norway.

For more information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Norway.

Find info on dual nationality, stopping child abduction, and customs rules on our websites.

Terrorism: Terrorist groups and individuals inspired by them want to attack U.S. citizens outside of the United States. They are using simpler methods of attack like knives, guns, and vehicles to target crowds. They often go after unprotected or vulnerable targets.

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Schools
• Parks
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Crime: Norway has a low level of crime and violent crime is uncommon.

• The most common crimes are home and office burglaries and petty thefts.
• Pickpockets target tourists in crowded areas like hotels and transit stations. Be vigilant in these high-risk locations to protect your belongings. The Oslo Central train station is an especially popular area for pickpockets and bag snatchers.
• Violent and weapon-related crimes are rare, but they do occur in areas with drug trafficking and gang problems. This includes parts of eastern Oslo.
• As in any other urban area, you should remain aware of your surroundings at all times.

Scams: Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Norway. Review the Department of State’s Protecting Yourself from Scams and the FBI pages for information.

Be careful when using dating apps or online dating websites while abroad. Scammers may target U.S. citizens. Tell your friends and family where you are, meet in a popular public place, and avoid consuming suspicious food or drinks. Avoid traveling alone to bars or nightclubs.

Technology Usage Abroad: Mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise, theft, and damage abroad. Before traveling abroad, follow best practices. Keep all software, like the operating system and apps, updated. Also, use a virtual private network and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) apps if possible. Make sure that all VPN/VoIP are reputable, and U.S. based. Do not connect to unknown open Wi-Fi.

GPS Navigation Apps help U.S. citizens get around in a foreign country. Prior to using the GPS app make sure you research the route to make sure it is safe. GPS navigation apps may give you the shortest route without safety consideration.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police by dialing 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(47) 2130-8540. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys.
• Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• Assist you in accessing Norway’s program to provide financial compensation to victims who suffer serious criminal injuries, via the Norwegian Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States. In cases of destitution provide funds for limited medical care.
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance. Victims may also contact:

Police (non-emergency) 02 800
Oslo Emergency Room 116 117
Helpline for Children and Youth 116 111
Hotline for Victims of Sexual Assault 800 57 000
DIXI Center for Victims of Rape 22 44 40 50
Oslo Crisis Center 22 48 03 80
National Association for Victims of Crime 22 16 40 00

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated, and rules are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are usually identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. At certain times of year, there are increased risks of avalanche and hidden crevasses in mountainous areas throughout Norway. Rapid weather changes may also create hazards in backcountry areas. We encourage you to check with local authorities and websites showing current conditions before engaging in outdoor sporting activities. If you plan to travel to Svalbard, please see more information below. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be deported, arrested, or imprisoned. For instance, it is generally illegal to carry knives or other sharp objects in Norway. People starting a business or practicing a regulated profession should seek information from local authorities, before they start operating.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Flying Drones: The use of drones in Norway is highly regulated. In many instances, it is forbidden to operate drones in Norway over areas with air traffic, above city and town centers, nature conservation areas, prisons, embassies, and military areas. It is important to know the rules and regulations regarding drone usage because violators can be subject to fines, arrest, imprisonment, and, in some cases, deportation. For a review of the full and updated rules, read the Norwegian Civil Authority's Aviation website which offers information regarding drone usage.

Svalbard: Svalbard is an archipelago. It has nine main islands. They are between mainland Norway and the North Pole. You need a passport to enter Svalbard.

• Unlike Norway’s mainland, Svalbard is not in the Schengen Agreement. Air travelers to Svalbard from Norway will leave the Schengen Zone before boarding.
• Svalbard's extreme weather and limited transport pose unique dangers to travelers.
• The U.S. Embassy has no staff in Svalbard. This limits its ability to provide consular help in emergencies.
• Check that you have enough travel, medical, and medical evacuation insurance. It should cover the potential costs of treatment or repatriation before you go to Svalbard.
• Roads exist in the three largest towns – Longyearbyen, Barentsburg, and Ny-Aalesund. But, the roads do not connect. So, the only options for traveling throughout Svalbard are sea, snowmobile, or limited air service.
  • Tourism to Ny-Aalesund is restricted due to its status as a research facility and the danger of polar bear attacks.
• There have been several reported deaths and injuries to tourists in the Svalbard archipelago. These incidents were due to animal attacks and boating accidents. They often involved unpredictable weather or ocean conditions.
• In cases of illness or injury, a clinic in Longyearbyen can provide limited emergency care. They provide care until medical evacuation to Tromso is available.
  • You should ask the Svalbard Tourist Board for the latest travel conditions and information. Do this before you go.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Child Protection Laws: The treatment of children is taken very seriously in Norway. All forms of corporal punishment of children are against the law, and any form of violence, humiliating treatment, or neglect may result in the child being taken away from parents by the Norwegian authorities and placed into long-term care by Norway’s social services.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports

Gay and Lesbian Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex sexual relations, the provision of information or services to persons on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation, or the organization of events focused on sexual orientation in Norway.

See our Gay and Lesbian Travel Information page for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Norway prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities, and the law is enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. The most common types of accessibility may include physically accessible facilities, information, and communication/access to services and ease of movement. Expect accessibility to be limited in certain rural areas and certain private businesses. Accessibility is common on public transportation, lodging facilities, information areas, in public spaces and in many private ones.

Residents of Norway with disabilities are provided with assistive technology through the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV). Limited equipment support may be available through private resources.

Oslo Gardermoen International Airport is accessible to wheelchair users and the staff is very helpful with accessibility issues.

• The Oslo subway/light-rail system (T-banen) has above-average wheelchair accessibility.
• Taxi drivers are generally helpful in assisting wheelchair users. It is possible to order taxis with wheelchair lifts.
• From December to March it is extremely difficult for wheelchair users to navigate Oslo’s streets without assistance due to snow and ice.
• Shopping malls, hotels, public buildings, and most modern structures will have accessible toilets.
• Fewer than half of the restaurants in Norway are wheelchair accessible and many have restrooms located up or down a flight of stairs.
• Many modern public structures, such as shopping centers, substitute inclined moving walkways/ramps for elevators, which are difficult for wheelchair users to use safely.
• Norway’s Tourist Board website offers accessibility information specifically for ferries.

Review our Travelers with Disabilities page.

Students: Review our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: Review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Medical facilities are widespread and high quality. But they may be limited outside big cities. The remote and sparse populations in northern Norway and the dependence on ferries to cross fjords of western Norway may affect transportation and ready access to medical facilities. The U.S. Embassy in Oslo maintains a list of emergency medical and dental clinics in major cities.

For Emergency Services in Norway dial 112 for Police, dial 113 for medical emergencies, and dial 110 for the Fire Department.

Ambulance services are widely available.

We highly recommend that all travelers review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travelers’ Health webpage. They should also review the general Traveler Advice for Norway.

• Select your destination in the Travelers’ Health webpage. Review all sub-sections including the Travel Health Notices, Vaccines and Medicines, Non-Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Stay Healthy and Safe, Healthy Travel Packing List, and After Your Trip.
• Review the Traveler Advice webpage that provide advice on medical considerations including:
  • Reasons for Travel (for example: Adventure Travel, Spring Break Travel)
  • Travelers with Special Considerations (for example: Allergies, Long-Term Travelers and Expatriates)and General Tips (for example: Traveling with Medications, Travel Vaccines)

The Department of State, U.S. embassies and U.S. consulates do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the government of Norway to ensure the medication is legal in Norway.

Vaccinations: Be up to date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality

Air pollution can be a significant problem in many destinations overseas.

• Check NASA’s Air Quality Forecast, which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), historical data, and global pollution modeling to generate a three-day forecast of expected air quality in Norway. 
• For information about common air pollutants, check the CDC’s Air Quality page. 
• For information about the U.S. Air Quality Index and health guidance, check out the EPA’s AirNow. 
• For general health information, visit the “Your Health Abroad” page. 

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are available throughout the country, but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards.
• Medical staff may speak limited English.
• Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight in non-emergency wards.
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on Medical Tourism, the risks of medical tourism, and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Norway.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.
• Your legal options in case of malpractice are very limited in Norway.

Pharmaceuticals

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often more difficult to obtain in Norway. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.
• Norway does not allow the importation of some medications that are legal in the United States by prescription. Please review Norway’s rules on medications: Bringing medicines into Norway by travel - Legemiddelverket.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy

• If you are considering traveling to Norway to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page.
• Surrogacy is illegal in Norway.

Adventure Travel

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel.
• The tourism industry is generally regulated, and rules are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are usually identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities.
• In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance.
• At certain times of year, there are increased risks of avalanche and hidden crevasses in mountainous areas throughout Norway. Rapid weather changes may also create hazards in backcountry areas. We encourage you to check with local authorities and websites showing current conditions before engaging in outdoor sporting activities.
• If you plan to travel to Svalbard, please see more information above. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Road Conditions and Safety: The maintenance and condition of urban roads is generally good. Rural road conditions are fair. The availability of roadside assistance is limited.

• Roadside assistance is mainly provided by two service providers in Norway: Viking (phone number +47 06000) and Falck (phone number +47 02222). Both service providers operate with 24/7 duty phones.
• Most roadways beyond the city limits of Oslo and other major cities tend to be simple two-lane roads. In mountainous areas of Norway, the roads tend to be narrow, winding, and have many tunnels.
• Road conditions vary greatly, depending on weather and time of year. Extreme weather, floods, and landslides can occur. This can disrupt both rail and road travel.
• The use of winter tires is mandatory on all motor vehicles from November to April.
• The Norwegian Government’s Crisis Information website gives information and advice to the public. It does this before, during, and after a crisis.
• Many mountain roads are closed due to snow from late fall to late spring.

Traffic Laws: In Norway the law requires that drivers always use headlights. Norwegian law also requires drivers to yield to vehicles coming from the right, except in a traffic circle, when drivers are required to yield to vehicles already in the circle.

• Seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and passengers.
• It is illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving; violators risk a fine of 10200 kroner (approximately $950.)
• Speed limits are photo enforced and often lower than in other European countries. Fines – and sometimes even jail time – are imposed for violations.
• The maximum legal blood alcohol content level for driving a car in Norway is .02 percent. Police conduct frequent road checks with mandatory breathalyzer tests. Driving drunk can lead to a stiff jail sentence.

Public Transportation: Is widely accessible and is well developed. Buses and trains are the most common means of transportation across the country and regarded to be safe. Public transportation is sparser in rural areas. Taxies are of newer models with some electric taxies in city areas. Oslo is the only city with subway lines in Norway. Be vigilant of your belongings when traveling in cities, especially in transportation hubs.

See our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Norway’s Tourist Board and the Norwegian Council for Road Safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found that Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority

meets international standards for aviation safety oversight. FAA’s website includes more information on its assessment program.

Maritime Travel: Mariners and passengers planning travel to Norway should check for U.S. Maritime Advisories and Alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard Homeport website, and the NGA Navigational Warnings website.