Healthcare in Norway

Every citizen and resident of Norway is entitled to healthcare. The quality of public healthcare in Norway is high. It is not entirely free, as generally thought, but highly subsidised by the government. You will be expected to pay a fee after any visit, but once you reach a specific limit (around 1700 NOK – although this figure changes annually), you are entitled to a “free card” (frikort) and you will not have to pay any more within that calendar year. You just have to show your “free card” when you visit any medical facility. If you choose to go to a private practice, fees are higher, and you will not receive a “free card”. Some people prefer to go private, in order to avoid waits or to see specific specialists.

As a resident, you can choose a doctor within the public system (this can be done online), and change that doctor up to two times in one year. You will have to visit your general practitioner in order to get a reference to see a specialist. You may have to wait for a couple of weeks to see a doctor unless you have an emergency, and up to several months to see a specialist.