A Visit to a Norwegian Doctor Without Secrets. You Will Pay for Most Services

A visit to a general practitioner in Norway is usually paid. Patients must pay a co-payment, known as egenandel. A similar procedure applies when using other medical services. After exceeding the annual limit set by the Storting (in 2023 – 3040 NOK), the patient receives a frikort, a special card entitling them to exemption from further payments for medical services.

For clinic visits, fees are usually settled on the spot. In hospitals or other larger facilities, bills are issued within a few days.

Just like in Poland, the first point of contact in case of illness in Norway is the general practitioner. Adults and their children under the age of 16 are assigned to a GP. All residents of the country with a permanent personal number are automatically assigned to one of the general practitioners. Through the helsenorge.no portal, you can change your GP free of charge, but not more than twice a year.

Poles staying in Norway temporarily also have the right to receive basic medical care. However, they must have an EHIC card. The same rules apply to them as to residents of the country. Visits will require payment of the egenandel.

If it is necessary to undergo tests or treatment that cannot be provided by the general practitioner, a referral is required. This document is a confirmation issued by the GP indicating that more detailed examination in a hospital or by a specialist is necessary.

The hospital or specialist to whom the document is addressed is obliged to decide within 10 days whether the patient is entitled to a specific examination or treatment. In urgent situations, a referral is not required.

After receiving a positive response from the doctor or facility, the patient must wait for an appointment to be scheduled. Depending on the condition and the chosen specialist, this may take from a few days to several months.

There are two basic types of prescriptions in Norway. The first, white, are issued to patients who pay the full price for their medications. Holders of the second type – blue – pay 39% of the medication's value. These are usually issued to people with chronic diseases or those requiring specialist care.

The Norwegian Medicines Agency indicates which medications can be dispensed on a blue prescription and what conditions must be met to receive them. If the doctor determines that the patient meets the requirements, they can issue a blue prescription. The medical documentation is carefully analyzed beforehand.

Patients whose own share of treatment costs (the amount not covered by the state) exceeds 3040 NOK in a year may receive a so-called frikort.

According to the Norwegian healthcare service, the cost of basic medical services in Norway ranges from 59 to 407 Norwegian kroner. On average, patients pay:

• 375 NOK – for a visit or consultation with a specialist,
• from 170 to 407 NOK – for a visit to a general practitioner,
• 61 NOK – for laboratory tests,
• 275 NOK – for an X-ray.

Children and youth under 16, pregnant women, people suffering from infectious diseases dangerous to society, and those who have had a work accident are exempt from the co-payment. The full list is available on the Helsenorge portal.

In Norway, special rules apply to two areas of medical care – dentistry and contraception. In the first case, free treatment applies only to the youngest. Discounts are available for people aged 16-24. The government plans to introduce changes under which the state will finance dental treatment for seniors.

The Norwegian healthcare system offers a special support program for women under 22 years of age. Those interested can receive subsidies for the purchase of contraceptives. It is also easier to get a prescription, which can be issued not only by doctors but also by nurses.