Mental health under protection. New insurance policies are becoming increasingly popular in Norway
An increasing number of people are using psychological support through health insurance that covers treatment. The insurance company Tryg Forsikring (Tryg) reports that this area is growing faster than the entire insurance category. These changes have been observed over the past three years.
More and more people in Norway are taking care of their mental health.
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Tryg points out that the use of psychologists through insurance continues to rise, even though waiting times in public psychiatric care are decreasing. The trend has not stopped. According to Tryg's spokesperson, Ole Irgens, the use of psychological services within insurance policies is growing twice as fast as the use of health insurance covering treatment as a whole.
Policies are used more often. Psychologists are growing the fastest
The data comes from the industry organization Finans Norge. Statistics show that the number of reported cases regarding psychological and psychiatric services through insurance increased by 30 percent from 2023 to 2025. This is a significant change. During the same period, the overall use of health insurance covering treatment increased by 15 percent.
Psychological support is therefore among the fastest-growing areas. Tryg points out that demand for mental health support continues to increase, despite improvements in the public system. The difference is visible in the growth rate. According to Irgens, this means that needs remain greater than the available supply.
Psychological support is therefore among the fastest-growing areas. Tryg points out that demand for mental health support continues to increase, despite improvements in the public system. The difference is visible in the growth rate. According to Irgens, this means that needs remain greater than the available supply.
Residents of Norway are more willing to use options that include psychological support.Photo: Fotolia
Queues are shorter. Goals in Norway still not achieved
Waiting times in public psychiatric healthcare have decreased. Data from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), published on March 17, 2026, show an average waiting time of 46 days for adults. For children and adolescents, it's 41 days. These values still exceed the long-term goals from the National Health and Cooperation Plan for 2024–2027.
The plan aims for shorter queues. The goal is less than 40 days of waiting for adults and less than 35 days for children and adolescents. Tryg highlights the importance of access to support. Irgens says that using insurance or paying out of pocket may indicate that the public offer is not sufficient, especially for people with moderate problems.
The plan aims for shorter queues. The goal is less than 40 days of waiting for adults and less than 35 days for children and adolescents. Tryg highlights the importance of access to support. Irgens says that using insurance or paying out of pocket may indicate that the public offer is not sufficient, especially for people with moderate problems.
Tryg also links the trend to the need for earlier intervention. Irgens points out that quick help can prevent minor issues from developing into more serious disorders. The industry data used in the press release comes from table 3.11 of Finans Norge and covers reported claims in health insurance covering treatment.
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