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Norway officially reopened its borders for tourism on July 15th, 2020 to most European countries including the UK.
However, since that original reopening date the countries permitted, as well as entry requirements and rules, have been modified many times as cases surge again across Europe, especially in 2021.
Countries permitted to visit Norway
Much like their neighbour Finland, Norway is currently restricting almost all non-essential travel to the country.
Currently EU/EEA nations are only able to enter Norway if their trip is essential. Tourism and leisure travel does not qualify at this time.
This is expected to change in June/July 2021.
Essential Travel To Norway
The government of Norway considers the following categories of EU/EEA travelers to be ‘essential’:
List of exceptions:
- Norwegian citizens (regardless of which country you live in)
- foreigners residing in Norway
- foreigners who have been granted a family immigration permit
- foreigners who are family members of an EU/EEA citizen who is going to settle in Norway, or an EU/EEA citizen who is a family member of a Norwegian citizen who is going to settle in Norway
- foreigners who will visit or live with close family members in Norway
- those who can commute between Nordic countries, which includes
- school / kindergarten children from Sweden and Finland
- health personnel from Sweden Finland
- day commuters from Sweden and Finland who commute to work in Norway
- foreigners who are going to have scheduled contact with their children
- foreigners who have special reasons that indicate that the person is given the right to enter, such as special care responsibilities for persons in Norway or other strong welfare considerations
- asylum seekers and resettlement refugees
- some occupational groups
- journalists
- sailors and aviation personnel
- goods and passenger transport
- diplomats and military personnel
- Sami people during reindeer herding
- researchers and crew on marine research cruises
- foreigners who have been granted an exemption from the entry restrictions through a decision in the Norwegian Maritime Directorate because they must carry out work that is strictly necessary to maintain the activity in a Norwegian company
- foreign workers who are exempt from entry restrictions upon application and decision by the Norwegian Directorate of Agriculture
- foreigners with an invitation from the Norwegian authorities and employees in international organizations
- foreigners who are going to stopover at an airport in Norway (both in international airport transit and within Schengen)
- foreigners working in critical societal functions
- foreigners who is a permanent resident of Svalbard, or who needs to travel through the Norwegian mainland on his way to or from work or residence on Svalbard
Testing to Enter Norway
Testing is required from all approved travelers into Norway.
Passengers must have proof of a negative PCR or Antigen test, taken no longer than 24 hours before the first embarkation point.
Recently recovered exemption: Norway makes an exception for passengers who’ve recently recovered from the virus. They can show a recovery certificate issued 14-90 days before entry instead of a negative PCR test,.
Anyone arriving in Norway from abroad shall be in home quarantine for 10 days, with the exception of specified countries in Europe (see the map).
The list of countries with exemption may change rapidly so travellers and the overview will be updated at least every second week.
Norway is expected to update their entry requirements on May 26, 2021 which may see some return of tourism for June 2021.
Couples Reuniting in Norway
On July 15, Norway started allowing lovers to reunite under new entry requirements. Couples will need to show proof that the relationship has existed for at least 9 months, and that they have met at least once before in person.
Example: An American with a Norwegian girlfriend can now reunite in Norway, despite the current travel ban.
We have all the details like how to apply, what proof is needed, and everything else you need to know on our #LoveIsNotTourism page
Disclaimer: Norway’s reopening news is being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.
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Sources: VisitNorway/NIPH/NorwayGovernment
Originally published July 10 with updates
Pasar
Sunday 18th of July 2021
Hello Madam I from uk and have visa married ,spouses visa can i come to visit my brother in Norway? with out quarantine? Because I full vaccined. Do I need visa to intry?
With regards
Ikuku-oru
Saturday 5th of December 2020
Hello please I have a france residence permit with Nigeria passport and I want to come to Norway and visit my family friend for Christmas just for 7days, will I be allowed to come in to Norway??
Kashlee Kucheran
Sunday 6th of December 2020
No sorry not at this time
Micheal
Tuesday 17th of November 2020
Hi I am from Ethiopia.is it possible to visit Svalbard and Norway from dubia
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 17th of November 2020
No sorry not at this time
Jane
Monday 16th of November 2020
I am from Kenya and my fiance is in Norway. He's currently sick and was planning to visit him. Will I be allowed? Thanks in advance.
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 17th of November 2020
Kenya is not an approved country for entering Norway. If he is a legal resident or citizen of Norway, they might make an exception for unmarried couples to reunite, but you would have to apply through the consulate
Elizabeth
Wednesday 30th of September 2020
Hi! I applied as an au pair in Norway. I have been granted a aresidence permit last july 04,2020. Am I allow to travel to Norway Now?
Kashlee Kucheran
Wednesday 30th of September 2020
I do not have information on resident permits, only tourism, so it would be best to ask the consulate