Learn About the Norway Healthcare System & Insurance Options for Expats
Healthcare in Norway is highly efficient and it is one of the finest in the world. The Scandinavian country has a sufficient number of both government hospitals as well as private clinics. Public sector hospitals fall under the purview of four Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), which are under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Care Services.
The government, at large, provides healthcare to the public. This facility is open to every citizen of Norway, irrespective of their age, race, gender, earnings, and residential area. On the other hand, municipalities govern primary health and social care.
EU residents have access to health services on the same lines in Norway as they have access to in their country of origin. Visitors from other countries have to bear the expenses of such services on their own, though non-registered adult immigrants can obtain critical emergency care. As far as children are concerned, those who have not yet been registered have the privilege of availing the same care as Norwegian citizens.
Overview of Healthcare System
The Norway healthcare system is certainly among the finest throughout the world. Just as in the majority of the Nordic countries, municipalities cover the healthcare system in Norway. This means that the range of treatments and doctors at your disposal may change on the basis of your location. This service does not come for free. A portion of your earnings will go to funding healthcare facilities. This is on the lines of the system of taxation. However, there are limitations to the amount you pay every year.
How the Norwegian Healthcare Works for Expats?
For the most part, the public healthcare system covers almost everyone. The only people who choose private healthcare insurance are the ones who cannot afford to wait. Apart from this, in Norway, the kind of care that public healthcare services offer is no different from that offered by private healthcare facilities.
In addition to this, finding a doctor is easy once you register with the National Registry. Once on the registry, you have access to a physician. You can also select your General Practitioner (GP) from a list.
Another positive comes along with a newborn baby in Norway. The government financially supports every woman resident going through pregnancy. Even if they don’t have insurance, the government takes care of costs relating to birth.
Public Healthcare in Norway
All public hospitals in Norway are run by four Regional Health Authorities (RHA), under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Care Services.
Public healthcare is available across Norway. It is free for those who are 16 years or younger in age. It is also free for pregnant and/or nursing women, irrespective of whether they are insured or not. Everyone else must pay an annual sum equivalent to an average of 2,040 NOK (222 USD). Once you have paid this amount, you get an exemption card that gives you the right to free healthcare for the whole year.
The public system that covers every Norwegian is known as the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). It comprises of pregnancy and childbirth expenditure, transport and emergency services, medical care of children under 16, medical support of job-related injuries, general healthcare expenses like doctors’ appointments and some prescribed treatment. Furthermore, it also includes some overseas treatment, rehabilitation, oral healthcare for children below 18 years of age or priority categories, etc.
Private Healthcare in Norway
Commercial insurance companies provide private health insurance in Norway. This type of cover is easily accessible and more than the facilities, it is highly beneficial in terms of time. Nine percent of Norway’s inhabitants (15% of the workforce) are covered by some sort of private medical insurance. A whopping 91 percent of the private insurance plans are sponsored by employers.
Numerous companies offer private medical insurance as an advantage to employees. In any case, it is a fact that healthcare will always be within the reach of those who are in need of it. Some employers also acquire it to just cut down on the sick leaves taken by their workforce. Though practically, it makes no difference. Hence, enterprises are in fact unnecessarily spending money on private insurance for employees.
Emergency Medical Services in Norway
Apotek is a leading chain of pharmacies and chemists in Norway. A majority of them remain open from Monday through Saturday, from 09:00/10:00 – 17:00/18:00 and remain closed on Sundays.
Emergency services can be easily availed through the following numbers:
112 – Police
110 – Fire
113 – Ambulance
911 – Police (only from mobile phones)
1412- Emergency for deaf
Best Private International Medical Insurance for Expats Living in Norway
We advise digital nomads to buy a comprehensive international health insurance plan. You cannot acquire an insurance cover as a Nordic Visitor. It is mandatory for Scandinavian citizens to show their passport in the event of a medical emergency, while citizens of EEA countries must have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or else the patient will be charged in full.
Following is a list of various kinds of insurance covers that will be good to have if you intend to live as an expat in Norway: It includes, international health insurance, expat life and disability insurance, travel insurance, evacuation coverage, and group expat insurance plans
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