In Bergen we have made a deal with Student Welfare Organisation, Sammen for health care. This covers dentist, doctor, psychologist, free health care center and money back.

Read more at Student Welfare Organisation, Sammen

Medical insurance and health services for international students

Until international students have established a personal general practitioner (which you cannot do until you have received you Social Security ID from the immigration authorities/police) the only way to get access to medical services is through emergency medical care wards. See more information below.

Health care benefits during a temporary stay in Norway

Students coming to stay between 3 and 12 months are not automatically covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. Depending on the country of origin you may be entitled to medical coverage.

Students from the Nordic countries are always entitled to medical health services under the National Insurance Act.

Students from the EEA are normally not members of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. However, if the student is a member of the national insurance scheme in their home country during the studies in Norway, that student is entitled to medical coverage according to Norwegian regulations. If the student isn't entitled to a health insurance card from their home country, that student needs another insurance that gives medical coverage in Norway.

Students from countries outside of the EEA are not automatically members of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. You may apply for voluntary membership if you are attending studies for a shorter period than 12 months and have legal residence. Voluntary membership entitles you to medical coverage through the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.

Go to NAV's website for foreign students in Norway, for more information about which health care services applies to you.

What are the regular health care benefits under the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme?

You will get a refund from VID when you are a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. You have to apply using our application form before 31st of January for a refund based on the previous year's payment to Operation Coordinator, Nina Kaisdatter: nina.kaisdatter@diakonhjemmet.no. The refund is for payment to general practitioner up to Free card (NOK 2258) withdrawn a fee of NOK 350.

Application form for deduction for general practitioner and psychologist

Download the application form

Submit the form to the Operation Coordinator, Nina Kaisdatter.

Regular general practitioner scheme (fastlegeordning)

NAV offers access to the regular general practitioner scheme (fastlegeordningen). If you need medical assistance and have a general practitioner this is your first line of inquiry, unless it is an emergency.

Students pay for the medical expenses in advance and apply for a refund from VID.

You will find instructions on how go get, or change, a regular general practitioner (fastlege) at the public webpage helsenorge.no.

You can read more about general public health related services at Helfo.

Health emergencies

Emergency Medical Care in Oslo

In emergencies – call 113.

Fractures and major wounds: If you have a major wound or suspected fracture, go to Legevakten (emergency ward) at Storgata 40 (open 24 hours a day).

When the problem is not so urgent:

During the day:

Contact your general practitioner. If your doctor is unavailable for any reason, his/her medical clinic (legekontor) will tell you who can help. You will find the name, address and telephone number of your general doctor at the bottom of the letter from the Social Security office.

In the evenings, at weekends and on holidays

Go to one of the city's emergency ward centres:

• Legevaktbase sørøst, Ryenstubben 3
• Legevaktbase nord, Linderud senter, Erich Mogenssønsvei 38

At night:

If you require emergency medical assistance between 22.30 and 08.00, go to the emergency ward at Storgata 40 or call +47 22 93 22 93.

Psychology and Counselling Clinic

VID has an agreement with Diakonhjemmet Omsorg, Dialog, in Borgenveien 3 C, which offers psychological assistance to students. They offer up to eight hours and the student pays a deduction of NOK 200 per hour. Contact Dialog.

It is also possible to reimburse the expenses of a psychologist with a public agreement for up to six hours, less deduction of NOK 200 per hour. Submit your application form for deduction to the VID studentvelferd Oslo Operation Coordinator, Nina Kaisdatter.

Dental Services

VID works in partnership with dentists in Bogstadveien 51, who offers a student deal (examination and two x-rays) for NOK 300 and 20 % discount on all treatments. The offer is valid for treatments with a general practitioner (not specialist). The student discount is only valid upon presentation of valid student ID-card and only by cash / card payment. Appointments by phone: +47 22:46 42 89 or e-mail: post@tb51.no. Other dental clinics also provide student discounts upon presentation of student ID.

In Sandnes and Stavanger, the students may receive health care through the Student Welfare Service in Stavanger (SiS). SiS consists of two psychologists, a social worker and a school nurse who is available to all students at any college or university affiliated with SiS. The student priest is also affiliated with SiS health.

Health Centre

The school nurse has the following offers that are free for students who have paid the semester fee.

• guidance on contraception, pregnancy and abortion
• information about sexually transmitted diseases
• testing of chlamydia and examinations in relation to questions about pregnancy and abortion
• prescription for contraceptives

Read more about the health center at Student Welfare Service in Stavanger.

Health Refunds

SiS may provide financial support for students who have health expenses. Expenditure must be accrued in the current academic year. There is a 40% refund of expenses, with an upper limit of NOK 3000 per semester in addition to a deduction of NOK 800 per academic year.

You can apply for paid treatment for

• dedication of doctor / psychologist / medication on blue prescription
• dentist
• physiotherapist
• chiropractor

Read more about health refunds at Student Welfare Service in Stavanger.

Psychology Service

SiS professionals can help you with counseling or therapy, depending on your needs. You can also get help finding other help services you can benefit from. Contact SiS as soon as possible when you feel the need for it. SiS's offer for counseling and therapy is a supplement to the public offer and has no emergency service.

Read more about the psychology service and how to book an appointment with SiS's Psychologists.

General information

Students who come from countries where it is possible to purchase private insurance are highly recommended to do so. It is your own responsibility to make insurance arrangements for any accident, illness, injury, loss, or damage to persons or property resulting from, or in any way connected with, the period of study in Norway.

Students who have been here or should be here longer than 6 months have the right to a general practitioner. To register for this service you need a min ID number (see Apply for Social Security ID). Contact VID Stavanger front desk for assistance with the procedure.

There is no health centre for the students at VID Stavanger or Sandnes and students must therefore consult their permanent general practitioner.

Remember that the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme is based on a user fee system. General consultations cost approximately NOK 150–200.

If you are staying less than 6 months and you need a medical service, please contact the Emergency Ward (Legevakt): 116117

Make sure to bring a valid insurance or European Health Insurance Card and your student ID-card with you each time you visit a doctor.

The European Health Insurance Card or enrolment in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme covers regular medical consultations, except for a nominal fee to be paid by the patient. Please note that private doctors/clinics are not part of this system and a visit to a private doctor/clinic may involve additional expenses.

Pharmacies are located in downtown Stavanger and in bigger shopping centres (such as Madla Amfi by Madlakrossen).

NB! The cost of medicines is only covered if you are hospitalised, or suffer from a serious disease, and are member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, or have a European Health Insurance Card or another form of social security which covers these costs.

Dental care

The dental system in Norway is made up of private and National Health dentists. The government sets the cost of treatment by National Health dentists and a price list is available from each dental office. Dentists in private practice set their own prices.

In general, a visit to the dentist in Norway is expensive. It is recommended to have a dental check-up at home before you travel to Norway.

Expenses related to dental care and illnesses contracted before arrival in Norway are not covered.