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Norway
Country Specific Information
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February 24, 2010
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Norway is a highly developed stable democracy with a modern economy. The cost of living in Norway is high and tourist facilities
are well developed and widely available. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Norway for additional information.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Norway are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State travel registration web page, so that they can obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency. Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
U.S. Embassy Oslo
Henrik Ibsensgate 48
Telephone: (47) 2244-8550 (24 hours)
Fax: (47) 2256-2751
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: For the most current visa information, contact the Royal Norwegian Embassy at 2720 34th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008-2714, Tel: 1-202-333-6000, or the nearest Norwegian Consulate. Consulates are located in Houston, Minneapolis, New York City, and San Francisco. Information can also be obtained from
the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration website.
Norway is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Norway for up to 90 days for tourist or business
purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. For further details
about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our fact sheet.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Norway.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Norway remains largely free of terrorist incidents. However, like other countries in the Schengen area, Norway's open borders with its Western European neighbors allow the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country with anonymity. Americans are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: Norway has a relatively low level of crime in comparison to the United States and Western European countries with large populations; however, over the last several years and in certain areas of Norway, especially in metropolitan Oslo, there have been steep increases in residential and office burglaries and petty thefts. Petty crime is attributed in part to youth gangs and drug addicts, as well as some organized theft rings from Eastern Europe. In Oslo and other major urban areas, crime has predictably been centered in the inner city and high-transit areas; however, some of the recent residential burglary waves have also targeted bedroom communities of Oslo. As in any other Western country, especially in urban areas, the exercise of basic security awareness is prudent and appropriate. The majority of the criminal cases reported to the police continue to be theft-related incidents. Although rare, violent and weapons-related crimes are growing in frequency and receiving intense media coverage; these crimes usually occur in areas known to have drug trafficking and gang problems, such as certain parts of eastern Oslo. Reports have shown an increase in rape nationwide, with parts of eastern Oslo, such as Grünerlokka, being an area of particular concern. Tourists and other short-term visitors should be aware that instances of pick-pocketing and petty theft are predictably common in major tourist areas, hotel lobbies, train and transit stations, and surrounding areas.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see
end of this sheet or see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate
medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and
prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand
the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
Norway has a program to provide financial compensation to victims who suffer serious criminal injuries. Claimants can obtain
application forms from the Norwegian Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Oslo for further information.
The national emergency telephone numbers in Norway, equivalent to the “911” emergency line, are: Police 112, Fire 110, and Ambulance 113.
Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Norway’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Norway are strict and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities are widely available and of high quality, but may be limited outside the larger urban areas. The remote and sparse populations in northern Norway and the dependency 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 clinics in major cities.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Healthcare in Norway is very expensive and healthcare providers sometimes require payment at time of service. The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Public transportation in Norway is generally safe and the maintenance and condition of urban roads are generally good. Rural road conditions are fair and the availability of roadside assistance is limited. 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 also tend to be narrow and winding, with many tunnels. The northerly latitude can cause road conditions to vary greatly, depending on weather and time of year. Many mountain roads are closed due to snow from late fall to late spring. The use of winter tires is mandatory on all motor vehicles from November to April.
Norwegian law requires that drivers always use their vehicle headlights when driving. Norwegian law also requires drivers
to yield to vehicles coming from the right. In some, but not all, instances, major roads with “right of way” are marked.
Seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and passengers.
Norway has some of the strictest laws in Europe concerning driving under the influence of alcohol; those laws prescribe heavy
penalties for drivers convicted of having even a low blood alcohol level. Frequent road checks with mandatory breathalyzer
tests and the promise of stiff jail sentences encourage alcohol-free driving. The maximum legal blood alcohol content level
for driving a car in Norway is .02 per cent.
Automatic cameras placed by the police along roadways help to maintain speed limits, which are often lower than in other
European countries. Fines – and sometimes even jail time – are imposed for violations.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. For specific information concerning Norwegian driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and
mandatory insurance, contact the Norwegian Tourist Board office at P.O. Box 4649, Grand Central Station, New York, New York 10163-4649 (Tel.: 212-885-9700; fax – 212/885-9710).
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Norway’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Norway dated July 6, 2009, to update sections on Crime.
