15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Norway

"Don't. Pay for private. The laid-back laissez faire attitude that seems appealing when talking to Norwegians in coffee shops is quite the opposite when you are ill and need healthcare. There is no accountability and often gross errors," said one expat.

"Norway has a comprehensive public healthcare system that provides a wide range of services, including primary care, specialist care, hospital care, mental health services, and preventive health services. The quality of public healthcare in Norway is generally high, with a focus on preventive care and patient-centered care. Foreign residents in Norway have access to the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay a fee for some services. Expats in Norway can use the public healthcare system by registering with a local doctor and obtaining a health insurance card. This card allows them to access the same services as Norwegian citizens, including free or discounted doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications," remarked one expat in Norway.

"Norway has a comprehensive public health system that provides free or low-cost medical services to all citizens. The country has a wide range of medical services, including general practitioners, specialists, hospitals, and emergency services. Norway also has a well-developed system of preventive health care, with a focus on preventive measures such as vaccinations and health screenings. In addition, Norway has a strong focus on mental health, with a range of services available to support people with mental health issues," commented one expat who moved to Norway.

"Healthcare in Norway is generally considered to be of high quality and is free for all citizens and residents. However, health insurance is not free and can be quite expensive. Private health insurance plans are available, but they are not mandatory and can be quite costly. The cost of health insurance depends on the type of coverage and the provider, but it can range from a few hundred to several thousand Norwegian kroner per year," said one expat.

"A few minutes from (public) Ullevål hospital and fairly near the public ER (legevakt). It's a bit of a nightmare really, the standard of care is shockingly bad, especially considering the amount of money in the healthcare system per capita (the only two things that are strikingly good are the food in Norwegian hospitals, really very good, and the general state of repair of the hospitals. Overall the quality of care at Ullevål hospital and legevakt is very bad indeed: unprofessional, discharging patients too early, missing serious illness, accidentally giving medicines that someone is allergic to, ignoring me when I am in a corridor on a hospital bed and referring to me only as "hun innvandre der" ("that immigrant there"), an ambulance missing the signs of severe concussion, very poorly trained and unprofessional ambulance personnel, no adequate triage system at the ER (legevakt). If you have a chronic illness then do not move to Norway without paying for private care. When mistakes are made then there is no accountability and lassitude seems to be permissible, I have had a terrible time with the healthcare system and it is one of the very worst aspects of living here- for me, perhaps the worst," commented one expat living in Oslo, Norway.

"Emergency services in Norway are highly efficient and reliable. In the event of an emergency, the public can call 113 for an ambulance. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The ambulance service is free of charge and is staffed by highly trained medical personnel. In addition to ambulances, the emergency services also provide fire and rescue services, as well as police services," wrote one expat.

"In Norway, some of the cities and areas with the best selection of medical specialists include Oslo and its surrounding areas, Trondheim, Bergen, and the county of Vestfold. The cities of Stavanger and Kristiansand also boast impressive medical specialist networks. Additionally, Norway has a number of university hospitals and smaller private hospitals that provide extensive medical resources and excellent care," said one expat.

"Prescription medications are available in Norway, and are regulated by the Norwegian Medicines Agency. Most medications are available through pharmacies, and some are available through hospitals. Generally, medications are only available with a prescription from a doctor, and the cost of medications is covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme," said one expat.

"Medical facilities and medical care in Norway are of a very high quality. The country is known for its excellent medical professionals, highly-developed infrastructure, and plentiful resources for medical research and development. Norway has an efficient and comprehensive national health and social service system which is both comprehensive and cost-effective. The country is also renowned for its high-tech medical equipment and a wide network of healthcare professionals such as general practitioners, specialists, pharmacy staff, and others. The country has also undertaken many initiatives to improve its healthcare system, such as developing strategies for health promotion, preventive measures, and the provision of specialized services," said one expat living in Norway.

"Yes, as a foreigner living in Norway, you will have access to public healthcare. The healthcare system in Norway is comprehensive and of a high quality, with a wide range of services available. All permanent residents of Norway are entitled to free healthcare, including access to general practitioners, specialists, hospital care, and prescription drugs. The Norwegian healthcare system is funded by taxes, and is free at the point of use," said one expat.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in Norway. The Norwegian government has implemented a range of measures to protect the population from the virus, including restrictions on travel, social distancing, and the closure of many public spaces. The healthcare system has also been affected, with hospitals and clinics having to adjust their services to meet the demands of the pandemic. In general, the healthcare system has been able to cope with the increased demand, although there have been some delays in appointments and treatments. The Norwegian government has also provided additional funding to the healthcare system to ensure that it can continue to provide quality care to its citizens," commented one expat who moved to Norway.