New to Norway

Irish citizens resident in Norway are largely concentrated in Oslo and in the west Coast towns of Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim.

Irish organisations in Norway:

There are several Irish social, cultural and business organisations in Norway.

Irish citizens in Norway and friends of Ireland may be interested in checking the websites of the organisations listed below.

Norwegian Irish Society (also on Facebook here)

Bergen Irish Society

Féile Oslo

An Iorua Cultural Centre

Sound – Irish Dance Factory

Mná Oslo Choir

Before leaving Ireland please consult our current travel advice for Norway and check that you have:

• Valid passport
• European Health Insurance card (EHIC, known before as E111) so as to regularise your entitlement, in the short term, to health services in EU and EEA states (apply to your local Health Board). This card will enable you to access state provided healthcare in Norway at a reduced cost or sometimes free.
• Long Form Birth Certificate (with the Hague Apostille stamped on it by the Consular Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to prove its authenticity)
• Adequate funds to maintain you while you establish yourself
• Private comprehensive medical insurance (EHIC does not cover repatriation to Ireland)

The Embassy recommends that you ensure your passport is up to date and shows next-of-kin details on back of passport. You may wish to keep your family informed of your address and contact details in Norway.

Arriving in Norway:

Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Norway. However, if staying for longer than three months, you are required to register your presence with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingsdirektoratet – UDI). Norway is a part of the EEA, not an EU member state however as an EU/EEA national you have the right to live, work and study in Norway. To find out more visit the UDI website for EU/EEA citizens.

Norwegian ID number:

If you move to Norway you have to inform the National Population Register of your move. Once the notification of your move to Norway is approved then you can be issued with a Norwegian ID Number. The ID number is required by many public institutions and private sector organisations such as banks to access services. You can find out more information about the Norwegian ID Number here: National identity numbers - The Norwegian Tax Administration (skatteetaten.no)

Persons staying in Norway on a temporary basis may be required to obtain a D-number. You can find out more about D numbers here: D number - The Norwegian Tax Administration (skatteetaten.no)

If you are uncertain about the type of ID number you require or questions about the process please contact the Norwegian Tax Administration.

Healthcare:

In a medical emergency you should always call 113 for emergency assistance.

If you need medical care out-of-hours medical care and it is not an emergency you can contact the out-of-hours medical service (legevakt). This is open 24 hours a day and can be accessed throughout Norway on +47 116 117. The operator will direct you to your nearest legevakt service.

You can find out more about health rights for foreign nationals in Norway here: Foreigners in Norway - Helsenorge

Information on the healthcare system in Norway including accessing your appointments, referals, test results and prescriptions is available in English through the Helse Norge website Helsenorge - information in English - Helsenorge

We recommend that Irish citizens travelling or living abroad register their contact details with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the information will allow us to contact you, and provide assistance if necessary and possible if there is an unforeseen crisis such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or if you have a family emergency while you are overseas.

We also suggest that you sign up to the Embassy mailing list for networking and cultural events and news on arrival in Norway. This can be a good way of meeting people and making contacts.

The following are guidelines to help you when living and working in Norway.

Dual Citizenship

Norwegian legislation accepts dual citizenship. A Norwegian who acquires Irish citizenship will not lose his/her Norwegian citizenship, nor will an Irish person who acquires Norwegian citizenship have to renounce his/her Irish citizenship.

Official guide for new arrivals in Norway.

A guide to public laws, regulations and rights in Norway.

Work in Norway is a guide for new arrivals in Norway with information provided by UDI, the Norwegian Immigration Directorate, and NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) as well as the Police and the Norwegian Tax Authorities.

Norway's police service

Official travel guide to Norway

Practical information is also available from your local municipality including, information on kindergartens, schools, utilities, health and welfare services and a range of other issues. Some of the larger municipalities also provide information in English:

• Oslo City Kommune: Oslo kommune - English
• Bergen Kommune: Bergen Municipality - English
• Stavanger Kommune: City of Stavanger
• Trondheim Kommune: Trondheim Municipality - Trondheim Municipality

We recommend that you always carry some proof of identity. Official photographic ID, such as a driver’s licence, Passport Card or passport is often required for daily interactions in Norway including collecting registered post.

Many Norwegian speak excellent English, however you should be aware that proficiency in Norwegian is often a prerequisite for many jobs. The two most commonly used sites for finding work in Norway are Finn.no and Arbeidsplassen.

Whilst every care has been taken in preparing this information as accurately as possible, the Embassy cannot accept any liability for the information contained here.