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Region: Europe
Full Name: Kingdom of Norway
Capital City: Oslo
Language Spoken: Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Get travel insurance to Norway from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Norway and most of the world.
62 00 N, 10 00 E
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
total: 2,542 km border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
rockslides, avalanches
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
arable land: 2.7% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005)
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Coastal areas have a moderate climate owing to the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift. Inland temperatures are more extreme with hot summers and cold winters (November to March). In general, the lowlands of the south experience colder winters and warmer summers than the coastal areas. Rain is distributed throughout the year with frequent inland snowfalls during the winter. The northern part of the country inside the Arctic Circle has continuous daylight at midsummer, and twilight all day during winter. Required clothing European according to the season. Light- to mediumweights are worn in summer. Warmer clothing is required during the winter. Waterproofing is advisable throughout the year.
time difference: UTC+1 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
4,610,820 (July 2006 est.)
0-14 years: 19.3% (male 455,122/female 434,009) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 1,542,439/female 1,496,745) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 288,509/female 393,996) (2006 est.)
total: 38.4 years male: 37.6 years female: 39.3 years (2006 est.)
0.38% (2006 est.)
11.46 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
total population: 79.54 years male: 76.91 years female: 82.31 years (2006 est.)
1.78 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Suit and tie are the norm for business meetings. Prior appointments are necessary and Norwegian business people tend to be reserved and formal. Punctuality is expected and essential to successful business dealings. English is widely spoken both by businessmen and the service industry. Calling cards are commonly exchanged at meetings. Office hours are 0800-1600 Monday to Friday.
Petty crime does occur, but at a low level compared to other European countries. Pickpockets operate in areas where crowds gather in Oslo such as Gardermoen Airport and the Central Railway Station, especially during the peak tourist season (May-September). Thieves have also begun to target dining areas in hotels, particularly buffets, and steal purses or briefcases left at a table while the diner is getting food. Violent crime, however, remains the exception; thieves or burglars almost never use weapons. The phone number for the police in Norway is 112.
First-class hotels are to be found all over the country. Facilities in all establishments are classified, as hotels must come up to official high standards; for example, there must be a reception service, dining room, and a minimum of 30 rooms, each with full bath or shower. Many hotels are still family-run establishments.
Telephone IDD service is available in the country. The country code is 47 and the outgoing international code is 00. Fax services are available at major hotels. The telephone directories give instructions in English. There are Poste Restante facilities at post offices in all major cities. Post office hours: 0900-1700 Monday to Friday, 0900-1300 Saturday.
is a 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the Continental round 2-pin type. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the European round two-pin type.
C,F
Breakfasts are often enormous with a variety of fish, meat, cheese and bread served from a cold buffet with coffee and boiled or fried eggs. Open sandwiches are topped with meat, fish, cheese and salads. Alcohol tends to be limited and expensive, although beer and wine are generally served in restaurants. Bars have table and counter service. Licensing laws are strict and alcohol is sold only by the State through special monopoly. Licensing hours are also enforced. National specialties
? Koldtbord (cold table), with smoked salmon, fresh lobster, shrimp and hot dishes.
? Roast venison.
? Ptarmigan in cream sauce.
? Wild cranberries.
? Multer (a berry with a unique flavor).
? Lutefisk (a hot, highly flavored cod fish)
? Herring.
? Reindeer meat.
? Shrimps. National drinks
? Aquavit (schnapps). Tipping : It is not customary to tip taxi drivers. Waiters expect a tip of no more than 5 per cent of the bill; porters at airports and railway stations charge per piece of luggage. Hotel porters are tipped NOK5-10 according to the number of pieces of luggage.
Nightlife
Several hotels and restaurants in Oslo stage cabaret programs and floor shows. Venues change so it is best to check in the local newspaper. Theaters, cinemas, nightclubs and discos are located in major centers. Resorts have dance music, and folk dancing is popular.
Note On 25 March 2001 Norway became a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
1. EU/EEA nationals (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Swiss nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU/EEA nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU/EEA Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Required by all except the following for stays of up to three months:
(a) nationals shown in the chart above;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda (only holders of BDTC (Bermuda) passports), Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;
(c) nationals of Nordic countries (including ?rland, Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland).
A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. The cost of a visa is US$43 but prices are subject to frequent change against the exchange rate. Fee is payable when visa is issued. Enquire at the nearest Embassy for further details.
Spouses and children of EU or EEA nationals (providing spouse's/dependent's passport and birth certificate and [if applicable] the original marriage certificate are produced), and nationals of some other countries, receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details).
Up to three months in any six-month period. For renewal or extension, apply to Embassy.
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information. An appointment must first be booked (tel: (09065) 540 725; for UK residents not residing in Scotland or Northern Ireland). If applying in the UK and living within the London area, all applications must be lodged in person at the Embassy. Travelers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travelers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination).
(a) Valid passport with at least one blank page (this should not be submitted until the applicant is informed that a visa has been granted). (b) One completed application form. (c) Two recent passport-size photos. (d) Fee, payable in cash (exact money only), cheque supported by a cheque card or postal order (visa fees are non-refundable and payable on submission of the visa application). (e) Further documentation such as a letter of invitation, proof of accommodation or a letter from an employer explaining nature and duration of stay may be required, depending on purpose of visit. (f) Evidence of sufficient funds for stay (recent original bank statement, travelers cheques or credit card with credit limit statement; cash not accepted). (g) Parental consent for minors (under 18 years of age). (h) Evidence of occupation/student status. If unemployed, social security booklet must be submitted. (i) Proof of adequate and valid travel insurance (valid throughout the Schengen territory).
The total length of processing time depends on nationality and individual circumstances.
Apply to Embassy for residence and work permit if the stay exceeds three months.
No Test Required
None
25 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QD, UK
Tel: (020) 7591 5500.
Website: www.norway.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1200 visa section, 1330-1500 (visa telephone enquiries).
Royal Norwegian Embassy, 25 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8QD
Website: https://www.norway.no/en/uk
2720 34th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 333 6000.
Website: www.norway.org
Most visits to Norway are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Travelers should not become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of even small quantities can lead to heavy fines and/or imprisonment. This applies also to the use, possession and/or importation of khat/qat which is prohibited in Norway, though legal in the UK
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
Website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/norway
Norwegian Krone (NOK) = 100 ?re. Notes are in denominations of NOK1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of NOK20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50 ?re.
The import and export of local currency is limited to NOK25000. The export of foreign currency is unlimited, provided proof is shown that the currency was imported or obtained by conversion of other currencies.
Mon-Thur 0900-1600, Fri 0900-1700 and Sat 0900-1200.
Eurocheque cards allow encashment of personal cheques. ATMs are widely available.
All major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Accepted in banks, hotels, shops and by airlines.
| City/Region | City/Area code | Followed by |
|---|---|---|
| Akershus | 67 | + 6 digits |
| Aust-Agder | 37 | + 6 digits |
| Buskerud | 32 | + 6 digits |
| Finnmark | 78 | + 6 digits |
| Hedmark | 62 | + 6 digits |
| Hordaland | 56 | + 6 digits |
| M?re og Romsdal | 71 | + 6 digits |
| Nordland | 76 | + 6 digits |
| Nord-Tr?ndelag | 74 | + 6 digits |
| Oppland | 61 | + 6 digits |
| Oslo | 2 | + 7 digits |
| ?stfold | 69 | + 6 digits |
| Rogaland | 52 | + 6 digits |
| Sogn og Fjordane | 57 | + 6 digits |
| S?r-Tr?ndelag | 73 | + 6 digits |
| Telemark | 35 | + 6 digits |
| Troms | 77 | + 6 digits |
| Vest-Agder | 38 | + 6 digits |
| Vestfold conuty | 33 | + 6 digits |
A high standard of dental care is available in Norway
Medication is available via pharmacies throughout Norway
Blood supplies are considered safe and screened to international standards
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.
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary.
All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Sanitary conditions in Norway are among the best in the world. Strict laws govern commercial processing, cooking, handling, and serving of foods. The state-run water supply system is excellent. Pasteurized milk is available, and dairy products are pure. The incidence of communicable diseases in most areas is such that they are unlikely to prove a hazard to the international traveler greater than that found in his own country. There are, of course, health risks, but in most areas the precautions required are minimal. High levels of immunization coverage have reduced the incidence of diseases such as measles and diphtheria. Influenza risk extends from November to April.
None.
No recent disease outbreaks
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Rikshospitalet (The National Hospital University of Oslo) | Sognsvannsveien 20 Oslo 0027 |
| The National Hospital University of Oslo | Pilestredet 32 Oslo 0027 |
| Ulleval University Hospital | Kirkev. 166 Oslo 0407 |
| Volvat Medisinke Senter AS -Ostfold | Storgt 32 Fredrikstad 1607 |
| Volvat Medisinske Senter AS | Borgenveien 2A PO Box 5280 Majorstuen Oslo 0303 |
| Volvat Medisinske Senter AS Bergen | Fanaveien 98 Radal 5239 |
| Volvat Medisinske Senter Bergen | Fanaveien 98 5239 Radal |
| Volvat Medisinske Senter Hamar | Vangsveien 121 2318 Hamar |
| Volvat Medisinske Senter Ostfold | Storgt 32 1607 Fredrikstad |
| Volvat Medisinske Senter Vestfold | Kjernasveien 13A 3142 Vestskogen |
Norway's public broadcaster, NRK, has had competition from private local and national stations since the heady days of monoply. Press freedom is guaranteed by the constitution and public radio and TV broadcast without interference from the Government.
Press: Norwegians are among the world's keenest newspaper readers. The number of publications is impressive, given the country's small population. Most of the press is privately-owned and openly partisan. The national newspapers published in Oslo are Aftenposten, Dagbladet and Verdens Gang. There are no English-language newspapers although English newspapers are readily available (one day after publication in the UK).
TV: NRK operates national channels NRK-1 and NRK-2; TV2 is national and commercial; NRK's main competitor is the commercial TV3 Norge.
Radio: Radio NRK is a public broadcaster, operating three national stations and local services; P4 is national and commercial, as is Kanal 24; Radio 1 is commercial but is essentially a music-based radio station.
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