If you have a Norwegian employer
- If you are employed by a Norwegian employer to work in Norway, you automatically become a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme from your first day of work. As an employee you become a member even if you are residing in another country while working in Norway (Note! There are other rules if you work for a Norwegian employer outside Norway). You do not have to be a Norwegian citizen, registered with the National Population Register or liable to pay taxes in Norway. What is crucial is that you are legally entitled to perform work in Norway.
- If your intended stay in Norway is at least 12 months, you become a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme from your date of entry to Norway.
- You may be exempt from the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme because you maintain your membership in the social security scheme in your home country. You must document this with a certificate from the national insurance authorities in your home country.
- Please note that you are not entitled to a General Practitioner (fastlege) in Norway until you have finalised your registration and receive a permanent ID-number. As an employee at UiO you may use the Student Health Services (sio.no), but until your registration is finalised you may have to cover parts of or the whole expense yourself.
- If you are a national of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you should bring your European Health Insurance Card (ec.europa.eu).
If you do not have a Norwegian employer
If you are an EU/EEA national
- Most EU/EEA countries have a social security agreement with Norway, and EU/EEA nationals are usually covered by the social security and health insurance membership from their home country.
- If you are a national of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you must bring either your European Health Insurance Card (ec.europa.eu) or documentation of private health insurance when you enter Norway.
- If you have private health insurance, please clarify with your insurance office whether your coverage applies to Norway. We strongly recommend a travel insurance in addition.
- EEA nationals must be issued the forms A1 and S1 from their home country.
If you are a non-EU/EEA national
For stays of less than 3 months
Foreign nationals staying in Norway for less than 3 months without formal employment by a Norwegian employer are considered tourists and must have their own travel insurance.
For stays between 3 – 12 months
- You must clarify whether your home country's social security scheme applies to Norway. If that is the case, you must bring along a confirmation upon arrival that you are still a member of your home country's social security scheme when working in Norway. U.S. citizens must apply for a Certificate of Coverage (ssa.gov).
- You may also apply for voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme upon arrival in Norway. Fill out and submit the form Application for voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme during stay in Norway - NAV 02-07.05 (nav.no). Generally, if you are unable to obtain health insurance from your home country, you will be granted coverage here. Medical coverage concerns conditions that necessitate immediate treatment and may be restricted in some instances.
For stays of more than 12 months
- Non-EU/EEA nationals staying here for more than 12 months will in general become members in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme once they report a move to Norway (skatteetaten.no).
- Employees will usually have to pay the employers' contribution to the Norwegian National Insurance scheme. To find out what this will amount to, contact the Norwegian Labor and Welfare administration (nav.no).
Further information
- Membership of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme (nav.no)
- NAV's services, benefits and pensions (nav.no)
- The Norwegian Social Insurance Scheme 2021 (regjeringen.no) (pdf)
- Health services in Norway
ISMO's services
We offer advice on all questions related to social security and insurance.