Information to patients who do not live in Norway
If you are not living in Norway and need medical care or treatment, check what rules apply to you.
All people staying in Norway have the right to emergency care and treatment that cannot be delayed, in accordance with the Patient and User Rights Act (in Norwegian only).
This rule applies regardless of residency status or length of stay, and it includes:
- Necessary treatment that cannot be delayed, for example care needed to prevent real risk of death, serious injury, severe pain, or lasting disability.
- Necessary care before and after childbirth.
- Abortion, in line with the Abortion Act.
- Treatment for infectious diseases, in line with infection control laws.
- Necessary treatment for people who are in custody or detention.
- If a condition must be treated within about three weeks, the person has a right to receive that care.
Healthcare for persons without legal residence in Norway - Helsenorge
Foreigners in Norway - Helsenorge
Exceptions to the rule
Preventive care and rehabilitation are usually not included in this right.
Full rights to planned or ongoing specialist treatment usually apply only to people who live in Norway, are insured, or are covered by agreements.
Regulations on the right to health and care services for people without permanent residence in Norway:
Forskrift om rett til helse- og omsorgstjenester til personer uten fast opphold i riket -Lovdata (in Norwegian only)
All children (under 18) who are staying in Norway have the right to healthcare, regardless of their legal status or how long they have been in the country.
There are a few exceptions. For example, healthcare may not be given if it is not in the child’s best interest. This must be assessed by healthcare professionals. One example could be if the child is known to be leaving the country soon, and it would not be safe to start treatment that cannot be completed.
All pregnant women in Norway have the right to maternity care, including care during pregnancy, childbirth, and after birth, or access to abortion according to the law.
The care provided should follow the official guidelines from the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
As a general rule, people who do not live permanently in Norway must pay for the healthcare they receive in Norway themselves.
Health rights for foreigners in Norway - Helsenorge
In more detail, people who do not have a permanent residence in Norway, and who are not members of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme or entitled to benefits through an agreement with another country, must pay the full cost of treatment in specialist health services themselves. This is in line with Section 5-3 og the Specialist Health Services Act,
Lov om spesialisthelsetjenesten m.m. (spesialisthelsetjenesteloven) -Kapittel 5. Finansiering - Lovdata (in Norwegian only).
Norwegian citizens living abroad
This payment rule also applies to Norwegian citizens who live abroad. To be considered a resident in Norway, a person must have legal residence and intend to stay, or have stayed, for at least 12 months.
Lov om folketrygd (folketrygdloven) - Kapittel 2. Medlemskap - Lovdata (in Norwegian only).
Asylum seekers
Asylum seekers and their family members are considered members of the National Insurance Scheme. In addition, the state covers the cost of compulsory mental health care and healthcare for people in prison, even if the patient is not a Norwegian resident.
Mental health care patients
Patients receiving compulsory mental health care do not have to pay for the treatment.
Payment through insurance or agreements
Many patients who receive healthcare in Norway without living here, have travel insurance, are employed in Norway, have voluntary membership of the National Insurance Scheme, or are otherwise entitled to coverage, for example through an agreement with another country.
In such cases, the invoice is sent to the insurance company, to Helfo (international services), or to another organisation that accepts responsibility for payment.
Self-paying patients
For patients who do not live in Norway and do not have travel insurance, a valid European Health Insurance Card, or other entitlement, the invoice is sent to the patient. These patients are considered self-paying.
Necessary documentation
Before planned treatment in specialist health services, we may ask for proof that the patient can cover these costs. We will provide a detailed invoice showing the treatment provided and the price charged.
Costs related to compulsory mental health care are covered by the state.
Non-residents must usually pay for treatment but may receive partial coverage with a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or other official documents.
What you pay depends on your country of origin and the documents you can show.
Required documents
Address
- Permanent home address abroad
- Temporary address in Norway (if available)
Identification
- Passport or other valid ID
Coverage documents
See what applies for you:
- Nordic patients: Home address and valid ID
- EU/EEA, Switzerland, United Kingdom: an EHIC card is required
- No EHIC: you pay the full cost of treatment
- If admitted without EHIC: show insurance papers and contact your insurance company. They must contact the hospital at post@helse-fonna.no (to avoid the invoice being sent directly to you).
- Australia: Medicare Australia card or passport required.
- No card/passport: you pay the full cost.
- If admitted without any of the documents listed above: show insurance papers and contact your insurance company. The insurance company must contact the hospital at post@helse-fonna.no.
- Other countries: Patients pay the full cost.
- If admitted: show insurance papers and contact your insurance company. The insurance company must contact the hospital at post@helse-fonna.no.
If emergency treatment or treatment that cannot be delayed is provided to patients who must pay themselves, an invoice will be sent to the patient after treatment. The invoice will include an explanation of why they have been charged and ask them to get in touch if they have any questions.
If no response is received from the patient, the amount will be collected in the same way as other patient payments.
Call Helsenorge Guidance Service: +47 23 32 70 00, or go to Contact and assistance - Helsenorge
You can also e-mail us: post@helse-fonna.no
Information
Laws and legislation (in Norwegian only)