Healthcare in Norway

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Healthcare in Norway is organized at three levels: national, regional, and municipal. Municipalities provide basic care and local health services, while specialized medical care is run by public hospitals owned and controlled by the state. Most money for health comes from public funding, and private providers operate only if they have contracts with the public health service.

Public hospitals are run as health trusts under four regional health authorities, which are overseen by the Ministry of Health and Care Services. A few privately owned clinics operate as well, but most hospital care is public.

Key facts at a glance
- Population: about 5.4 million (2021)
- Life expectancy: around 84 for women and 81 for men
- Child mortality under five: about 2.5 per 1,000 births
- Healthcare spending: among the highest in the world; most costs are publicly funded
- Workforce: high density of nurses and midwives per person

Universal access and fees
- Healthcare is practically universal. Children 16 and younger and several other groups (such as pregnant women and retirees) receive free care.
- Other adults pay user fees up to an annual limit (the “exemption card” threshold). In 2021, the limit was 2,460 NOK; once you reach it, most further public health costs for that year are covered.
- The exemption covers many services, including visits to family doctors, psychologists, outpatient care, tests, travel for treatment, medicines under the blue prescription system, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and some hospital-related costs. Dentists are not included, but hospital care is free for everyone.
- Emergency care costs are fully covered. Medicines imported from abroad are insured through HELFO.

Financing and spending
- The government sets an annual health budget. Hospitals receive funds through the regional authorities and decide how to allocate resources locally.
- Public funding covers the majority of health expenses; private out-of-pocket payments are a relatively small portion of total health spending.
- In recent years, reforms have aimed to reduce waiting times and improve efficiency, though waiting times for some elective care have varied.

Pharmaceuticals
- Norway does not produce most medicines domestically and imports many drugs. Residents often pay full price for prescriptions, with some cost protection provided by HELFO for imported medicines.

Regional health structure
- There are four Regional Health Authorities: Northern Norway, Central Norway, Western Norway, and Southern and Eastern Norway. They manage the public hospitals and health services in their regions.

Rights and services
- The Patients' Rights Act gives eligible people the right to choose where they are treated within the public system.
- Maternity care is provided free of charge, typically through midwives or general practitioners, with about eight antenatal visits and one ultrasound. Pregnant employees also have paid time off for antenatal appointments.

Public health and disease
- Norway has very low rates of tuberculosis and HIV compared with many other countries, and health surveillance is strong.
- The country also aligns its health policy with the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on health, education, equality, and overall well-being.

Overall
Norway’s health system aims to provide good, equal care for all, funded mostly by the government. While there are user fees, many people enjoy extensive free services, affordable access to hospital care, and strong public health protections.