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TRAVEL REPORT
Norway

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 4 has been updated (Schengen Area).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Norway

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Norway do not experience problems. There are no serious safety or security concerns.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Even though the crime rate is low, petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs, especially in the summer tourist season (May to September). Remain vigilant in airports, in train and bus stations, and in other public places, including tourist areas (restaurants and hotels).
 
General Safety Information

Ensure personal belongings and passports are secure at all times. Avoid poorly lit areas, especially the streets behind Oslo's Central (railway) Station after dark.

Exercise caution during excursions to mountainous and isolated areas. For high-altitude mountaineering, glacier climbing, and ski touring, travellers should hire a professional guide. Ensure that you are properly equipped. Do not venture off established trails, especially in early or late winter. Avoid hiking alone. If you do, tell a friend, relative, or somebody where you are lodging: (a) where you are going, (b) what your planned route is, and (c) when you expect to be back. Consider using modern communications tools, such as a mobile telephone or GPS tracking system, which can assist emergency response units in locating stranded travellers.

The emergency number for police is 112, ambulance 113, and fire department 110.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Norwegian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Royal Norwegian Embassy and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Norway. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected return to Canada.

Tourist Visa: Not Required (for stays up to 90 days within a six-month period)
Business Visa: Not Required (employment authorization must be obtained outside of Norway, prior to arrival)
Student Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days. If the stay is longer than 90 days, the visa must be obtained outside of Norway, prior to arrival)

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Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom), along with Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders. The following 25 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period). The 90 days are cumulative and apply to travel within all countries of the Schengen Area. Some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen Area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, Canadians must obtain a long-stay national visa.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/cash_controls/index_en.htm.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Same sex marriage is legal.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:

Norway - OSLO, Embassy of Canada
Address: Wergelandsveien 7, 0244 Oslo, Norway
Tel.: 47 22-99-53-00
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: 47 22-99-53-01
E-Mail: oslo@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Norway.gc.ca

Norway - BERGEN, Consulate of Canada
Address: P.O. Box 2439, Solheimsviken, 5824 Bergen, Norway
Tel.: 47 55-29-71-30
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: 47 55-29-71-31
E-Mail: honconbergen@canada.no

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Oslo and follow the instructions. You may also place a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

The standard of healthcare is high, and excellent medical care is widely available. However, access to emergency medical assistance may be limited in remote regions.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in wooded areas from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Norway are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Norway to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Norwegian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Some substances, legal in other European countries (e.g., khat), are prohibited in Norway. The possession of even small amounts of drugs for personal use can result in arrest. If drugs are discovered in your possession upon arrival in Norway, you will be charged with importation rather than simple possession. Penalties include detention, heavy fines, and/or deportation.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road Travel

Narrow and winding roads may be hazardous and impassable, especially in winter and in mountainous areas. Drivers should observe posted speed limits and keep headlights on at all times. Respect signs showing animal crossings, especially for moose. Winter tires are mandatory from November 1 to April 15.

Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are severe. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.01%. Roadside checks for alcohol are frequent, and submission to a breathalyser test is mandatory.

The use of a cellular telephone while driving is prohibited, unless fitted with a hands-free device. Persons found driving while talking on a cellular telephone face a fine of up to $210.

Public Transportation

Public transportation services are efficient and reliable. Use only officially marked taxis, particularly in Oslo.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK). Credit cards and traveller's cheques are widely accepted.

Upon entry or exit from Norway, you must declare all amounts of money over 25,000 NOK, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller’s cheques, or any other convertible assets in your possession. Failure to report such a sum can result in fines or possible confiscation.

Credit card and ABM card fraud occurs. Before using your card you should carefully inspect the ABM to ensure it has not been tampered with. One scam involves a unit placed on top of the card reader and then personal information, including the PIN, is used to access accounts.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Avalanches and rockslides present a risk. The weather in mountainous areas is highly unpredictable. Ask local residents about weather patterns before setting off on a trek.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country or region.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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