Health

Norway has a universal public healthcare system funded through taxes. Everyone registered as a resident is entitled to a regular general practitioner (fastlege). The fastlege system ensures that all residents have access to a named doctor who coordinates their care, refers them to specialists, and manages prescriptions.

Hospital treatment is provided by the public health trusts (helseforetak). While healthcare is not entirely free, costs are capped by the frikort system — once a patient has paid a certain amount in co-payments within a calendar year, further treatment and medications are free. Emergency care (legevakt) is available 24/7 for urgent medical needs.

Norway also invests heavily in public health, including preventive care, vaccination programmes, and mental health services. Helsenorge.no is the national health portal where residents can access their health records, book appointments, and find health information. The Norwegian health system emphasises patient rights, including the right to choose your doctor and the right to a second opinion.