GovWire

If you started living in Norway before 1 January 2021, your rights to access healthcare in Norway will stay the same for as long as you remain resident.

This guidance explains what you need to do in Norway depending on your circumstances.

Anyone registered as a resident in Norway has a right to access the Norwegian state healthcare system.

State healthcare in Norway is not completely free. Healthcare costs are covered by both the state and through patient contributions (user fees).

UK nationals usually access the Norwegian healthcare system (called Helfo) in one of these ways:

• registering a UK-issued S1 form with the National Insurance Scheme (see UK-funded healthcare: getting and using an S1 form in Norway below)
• making contributions to the National Insurance Scheme through their employer or as a self-employed person
• using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for temporary stays when studying, or as a posted (detached) worker
• taking out private health insurance

Healthcare if you live and work in Norway

If you are planning on moving to Norway, see the guidance on Living in Norway for more information about visa and residency requirements.

You must register as a resident if youre living in Norway for more than 3 months.

Once youre a resident, youre entitled to state healthcare on the same basis as a Norwegian citizen.

If youre employed or self-employed, youll make contributions to the National Insurance Scheme.

Once youre a resident, you may also be entitled to a Norwegian EHIC for travel.

How to register for healthcare

You first need to register as a resident in Norway. Youll receive a Norwegian ID number. This is the same number youll use for healthcare access.

If youre employed, your employer will sign you up to the National Insurance Scheme automatically. Youll make contributions through your payroll.

If youre self-employed, you first need to register your business on the national register (website in Norwegian). You can then sign up to the National Insurance Scheme.

Once youve joined, youll be able to access healthcare services through the Norwegian state healthcare system, Helfo.

Give your Norwegian ID number when you register with a GP and each time you have an appointment.

To be referred to a specialist you need to see your GP first.

How much youll pay

State healthcare in Norway is not completely free. You may have to pay some of the cost of any treatment.

Find out how much youll need to pay for health services

If youre a hospital inpatient, treatment is free. There are charges for outpatient treatment.

If you have an occupational health injury, Helfo may cover the full cost of your treatment.

Dentists and dental hygienist fees will vary as they can set their own prices.

Once youve spent a certain amount on state healthcare in a calendar year, you can get an exemption card (frikort).

Your exemption card means the National Insurance Scheme will cover most of your user fees for the rest of the calendar year.

If your UK employer has sent you to Norway temporarily (posted workers)

A posted worker, also known as a detached worker, is someone employed or self-employed in the UK, but temporarily sent to a European Economic Area (EEA) country.

You can use your UK EHIC, GHIC or registered S1 form to access healthcare in Norway on the same basis as a Norwegian citizen.

HMRC has a helpline for National Insurance enquiries from non-UK residents. They can answer questions about posted worker status and explain which documents you will need to get healthcare while posted.

UK-funded healthcare: getting and using an S1 form in Norway

Theres different guidance if you have an S1 as a posted worker (see If your UK employer has sent you to Norway temporarily (posted workers) above).

You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if youre a Norwegian resident and receive either:

• a UK State Pension
• some other exportable benefits

You may also be entitled to an S1 form if youre a frontier worker (someone who works in one state and lives in another). You must contact HMRC National Insurance enquiries to find out if youre eligible.

Once you have an S1 form, you must register it on the Norwegian system.

This will mean you and your dependants will be entitled to healthcare in Norway on the same basis as a Norwegian citizen.

Youll also get:

• a UK-issued EHIC or GHIC for travel
• planned treatments in the EEA

Dependants and family members may be classified differently in Norway than the UK.

Check with the local authorities when you register your S1 form.

How to get an S1 form

If you have a UK State Pension or another qualifying exportable benefit, you must request an application form by phone from NHS Overseas Healthcare Services (see contact details above).

How to use an S1 form in Norway

You must register your S1 with the Norwegian state healthcare service Helfo. Send your S1 form to:

Give your Norwegian ID number each time you access healthcare. This will prove that youre an S1 holder and are entitled to healthcare on the same basis as a Norwegian citizen.

Studying in Norway

You should apply for a StudentGHICto get medically necessary, state-provided healthcare for the duration of your study period in Norway, whether this is for part or all of your course. This means that youll get necessary healthcare services on the same basis

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