Moving to Norway comes with fresh air, long summer evenings, and a healthcare system that might work differently from what you are used to. If you plan to live here, understanding how to see a doctor will make your everyday life much easier. This guide explains the “fastlege” (regular GP) scheme, how to book appointments, what it costs, and how to get help outside office hours. I’ll also share practical tips from growing up and raising a family in Norway, and from helping newcomers navigate care.
Short answer: In Norway, you register with a fastlege who is your first point of contact for most health needs, referrals, prescriptions, sick notes, and ongoing care. You pay regulated co-pays until you reach an annual cap, after which you get an exemption card and most covered services are free for the rest of the year. For urgent but not life-threatening issues, call 116 117 (legevakt). For life-threatening emergencies, call 113.
Let’s take a deeper dive into seeing a doctor when living in Norway.
The Fastlege System: Your Regular GP
The cornerstone of Norwegian primary care is the fastlegeordningen, a national scheme that assigns residents a regular GP. This doctor becomes your main contact for medical questions, preventive care, chronic conditions, prescription renewals, and referrals to specialists and hospitals. Having “your” GP helps ensure continuity, which Norwegians value highly.
Your fastlege typically works out of a small clinic with a team that may include other GPs, nurses, and medical secretaries. Appointments are usually 10 to 20 minutes, focused on a specific problem. If you have several concerns, prioritize the most important or ask for a longer appointment when you book.
Tip: Norwegians tend to schedule preventive checkups less often than in some countries. If you prefer regular health reviews, ask your GP; most are happy to plan periodic follow-ups.
How to Register or Change Your GP
Once you have a Norwegian national identity number (fødselsnummer) or D-number and are registered as a resident, you can choose a GP. You do this via the national health portal, Helsenorge, or by calling the national helpline. You’ll see available GPs near your home, how many patients they have, and whether they are accepting new patients.
You can change your fastlege up to a limited number of times per year, often for a small administrative fee. If the GP you want has no space, set an alert and check again. Many people also look slightly outside their neighborhood to find a good fit.
Practical advice: Availability fluctuates. If you move to a new city, register a GP as soon as you have your address sorted, even before you need an appointment.
Booking Appointments: Phone, Online, or Drop-In Slots
Most clinics accept bookings by phone and many offer online booking through Helsenorge or the clinic’s website. Same-day appointments for urgent issues exist but vary by clinic capacity. If your matter is urgent and your GP has no slots, call 116 117 to reach the out-of-hours service.
When you book, briefly state the main reason so the staff can allocate proper time. For blood tests or vaccinations, nurses often handle the visit. For forms and certificates, ask what documents to bring.
Norwegian habit: We tend to arrive on time, not early. Clinics run tight schedules. If you know you’ll need an interpreter, tell the clinic when you book so they can arrange one.
Costs and the Annual Exemption Card (Frikort)
Norway’s public system is funded through taxes, but adults pay regulated co-pays for GP visits, out-of-hours care, and some tests and treatments. Children generally receive GP care free of charge. Once your total approved co-pays reach the annual cap (egenandelstak), you automatically receive a frikort (exemption card). From that date until December 31, most covered services that count toward the cap are free.
The cap is adjusted regularly. You can log in to Helsenorge to see your running total and whether a given service counts toward the cap. Remember to keep receipts if you’re unsure the system has registered them.
Bring your bank card to appointments. You often pay at the clinic’s terminal or receive an invoice. Some clinics charge an extra fee for paper invoices; e-invoices are common.
Prescriptions and E-Prescription Renewals
Prescriptions are digital in Norway. Your GP sends an e-prescription to a central database, and you can pick up your medication at any pharmacy with your ID. Many long-term medications are issued for a period and then renewed after a review. You can request renewals via Helsenorge or the clinic’s portal. Build in a few days of buffer so you don’t run out.
For controlled medications, expect stricter rules and possible in-person checks. Pharmacists provide counseling and can advise on over-the-counter options too.
Referrals to Specialists and Hospitals
In most cases, your GP must refer you to see a specialist, access hospital clinics, or get advanced imaging like MRIs. The referral includes your medical history and justification, which helps prioritize you correctly. Waiting times vary by specialty and region. If the wait is too long relative to your condition, your GP can update the referral or suggest alternatives.
Private options exist. Some Norwegians choose private specialists to avoid long waits or for services not fully covered publicly. If you have private health insurance through work, check what it includes.
Out-of-Hours and Emergencies: 116 117 and 113
For urgent issues that cannot wait for your GP but are not life-threatening, call 116 117 to reach the nearest legevakt (out-of-hours clinic). They will advise you by phone and tell you whether to come in. Expect triage, and be prepared to wait if the clinic is busy.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 113 immediately. This connects you to medical emergency services, including ambulance dispatch and trained medical personnel who guide you over the phone.
Local tip: Save both numbers in your phone. In winter, if you’re traveling in rural areas, check the nearest emergency services early, just in case.
Mental Health: Your GP as the Gateway
Your fastlege is also your gateway to mental health support. They can assess, start treatment, write sick notes if needed, and refer you to psychologists or psychiatrists. Publicly referred psychology often has a wait, so some residents use private psychologists for earlier access. University towns usually have more options. If things feel urgent, 116 117 can direct you to acute mental health services.
Children, Adolescents, and Vaccinations
Children are registered with a GP just like adults. Routine checkups and the national vaccination program are free. School health services are a strong support for adolescents, offering counseling and basic health services without charge. If your child has specific needs, your GP coordinates with specialists and municipal services.
Parent tip: For quick questions, many GPs allow secure messages via Helsenorge. It’s a lifesaver for things like eczema management or dosage clarifications.
Pregnancy, Birth, and Postnatal Care
Pregnancy care is shared between your GP and midwives, with scheduled checkups and ultrasound services. Midwife services are offered by the municipality. Delivery usually happens at a public hospital. After birth, the helsestasjon (child and family health clinic) follows up with weight checks, feeding support, and parental guidance. These services are free.
Dental Care and Eye Care
Adult dental care is not generally covered by the public system, and you pay private dentists directly. Certain medical conditions and periodontal issues may be subsidized; ask your dentist if you qualify. Children and adolescents receive free public dental care through the county dental service.
For vision, opticians handle routine eye tests and glasses. Medical eye issues go through your GP to an ophthalmologist via referral.
Sick Notes, Work, and Short-Term Self-Certification
If you are ill and need time off work, Norway uses sykemelding (sick note). Your GP can issue this after an assessment. After you’ve been employed for a qualifying period, most employees can use egenmelding (self-certified sick leave) for a few days at a time, with exact limits depending on your employer’s policies and agreements. If you are frequently ill or off longer, expect closer follow-up with your GP and workplace.
Practical step: If you’re new to a job, ask HR how many egenmelding days you have and the reporting process.
Language and Interpreting
If Norwegian isn’t your strong suit yet, ask the clinic to book a professional interpreter. This is common practice and helps avoid misunderstandings. Do not hesitate to request this for complex appointments; clinicians appreciate being able to communicate clearly.
Digital Tools: Helsenorge, ID-Porten, and Message Access
The national health portal, Helsenorge, is your hub for health information, secure messages, test results, prescriptions, vaccination records, and GP changes. You log in using ID-porten (BankID, Buypass, or similar). Many clinics offer e-consultations for follow-ups that don’t require a physical exam; these may have a co-pay similar to an office visit.
Tip: Turn on notifications so you don’t miss messages about referrals, test results, or appointment changes.
If You’re Not Yet Registered or You’re Between GPs
Life happens. If you don’t have a GP yet or you’re waiting to switch, you can still get care:
- For routine issues, call clinics in your area and ask if they accept drop-in or temporary patients.
- For urgent needs outside office hours, call 116 117 for the out-of-hours clinic.
- For emergencies, call 113.
Bring ID and any documents you have (medication lists, previous records). Once you’re settled, register a fastlege to streamline future care.
Students, Short-Term Residents, and EEA Considerations
If you’re an exchange student or on a short assignment, your access depends on your residency status and insurance. Many students get a temporary GP assignment in their municipality, and student health services on campus can help with mental health and basic care. EEA citizens with a European Health Insurance Card may have specific entitlements for necessary care while staying in Norway. For non-EEA citizens, valid insurance is essential until you are enrolled in the National Insurance Scheme.
Local advice: If you’re here for a semester or a one-year contract, arrange health coverage before arrival and register with a GP as soon as you’re eligible.
Private Clinics: When You Need Speed or Extra Services
Private clinics can be useful for faster access to certain specialists, second opinions, and services not fully covered by the public system (like some preventive screenings). Prices vary. If your employer offers private health insurance, check your benefits and the referral process; some insurers require a GP referral even for private care.
What Good Care Looks Like in Norway
You should expect evidence-based, conservative care, especially in primary care. Norwegian GPs avoid unnecessary antibiotics and tests, and focus on watchful waiting when that’s appropriate. If you ever feel uncertain, ask your GP to explain their reasoning or to create a follow-up plan. It’s perfectly normal here to request clarification or to ask what signs should prompt you to come back sooner.
Key numbers to remember: For urgent care outside normal hours, 116 117. For life-threatening emergencies, 113. For most everything else, contact your fastlege first. With those three anchors in place, you’ll navigate Norwegian healthcare with confidence.