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Entry quarantine and rules upon arrival in Norway
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Here you will find information about advice and rules that apply when entering Norway. It is important that you stay up to date about which rules apply to you.
Here you will find information about advice and rules that apply when entering Norway. It is important that you stay up to date about which rules apply to you.
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Entry quarantine upon arrival in Norway
People over the age of 18 who come to Norway from a country / area with quarantine duty must, as a general rule, go into entry quarantine for 10 days after arrival.
Travellers from countries/regions in the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom with a sufficiently low infection rate (green countries/regions shown on the map below) do not need to go into entry quarantine.
People arriving from green countries and regions must go into quarantine if they have visited or transited through a country/region with quarantine duty during the past 10 days.
However, if you are arriving from a green/ orange country/region having travelled via an area with quarantine duty without using public transport, without staying overnight there and without having had close contact with anyone other than members of your own household, you do not need to go into quarantine after arriving in Norway.
Fully vaccinated people and those who have had COVID-19 during the past six months are exempt from entry quarantine if they have valid documentation.
Only presentation of a COVID-19 certificate with a QR code which can be verified by the Norwegian authorities is considered a secure and verifiable way to document vaccination or previous illness.
Here you will find more information about the COVID-19 certificate and which COVID-19 certificates are accepted:
- Log in to view your COVID-19 certificate (helsenorge.no)
- List of verifiable and approved COVID-19 certificates (Lovdata) (in Norwegian)
Other travellers (over 18 years of age) are required to go into entry quarantine for up to 10 days, if they are not mentioned in the exemption provisions in the COVID-19 regulations. but can end quarantine if they test negative with a PCR test taken no earlier than three days after arrival.
Children and young people under the age of 18 are no longer required to go into entry quarantine, but are encouraged to take a test 3 days after arrival.
It is important that travellers familiarise themselves with the rules that apply before they arrive in Norway. This applies to entry restrictions, registration requirements, testing, quarantine rules and requirements regarding documentation for exemption. It is also important to be aware that the rules may change at short notice and that the traveller is responsible for ensuring they are up-to-date about the rules that apply at the time of entry.
Here, you will find more detailed information about the rules that apply:
- Registration of entry to Norway (regjeringen.no)
- Travel to and from abroad (helsenorge.no)
- Information sheets in many languages concerning entry provisions (helsedirektoratet.no)
Map of entry quarantine
Updated travel advice will take effect no earlier than the day after the day on which a decision is taken by the government, but it may also take several days from the date of the decision until the travel advice takes effect. The map below is updated at the time when the advice takes effect.
Map and table that shows entry quarantine to Norway
The map below applies from September 25, 2021 at 4 p.m.:
In green / orange countries/regions, the infection rate is considered to be so low that there is no requirement for quarantine, even though these regions may also entail greater risk. If you are arriving in Norway from a green / orange country/region (without a stopover and stay in countries/regions subject to a quarantine duty), you do not need to go into quarantine. However, if you are arriving from an red/ dark red/ purple/ pale grey country/region, you must go into quarantine (certain exemptions apply, including exemption for children and adolescents under 18 years).
If you are coming from an area with quarantine duty, you should go straight to suitable accommodation in order to complete your quarantine.
Islands and archipelagos in Europe
Selected islands and archipelagos in Europe will be assessed at regional level. This applies to:
- Canary Islands
- Madeira
- Azores
- Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera)
- Corsica
- Sardinia
- Sicily
- Ionian Islands (Corfu, Ithaki, Kefallonia, Kythira, Lefkada, Paxos, Zakynthos)
- Crete
- South Aegean Islands (Andros, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kea-Kythnos (Kea, Kythnos, Makronisos), Kos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Rhodos, Syros, Santorini, Tinos)
- North Aegean Islands (Chios, Lesbos and Samos)
If the infection situation satisfies the requirements for green /orange countries/regions, it will be possible to travel to these regions without having to go into quarantine when you return home.
Purple countries and regions (EU's selected third countries)
Countries and regions on the EU’s third country list are considered to meet the criteria for green countries. These countries and regions will be colour-coded purple. Visitors from these countries and regions are subject to the same testing and quarantine requirements upon arrival as travellers from other areas with quarantine duty.
Purple countries/areas that may have less strict entry requirements from September 25 2021 at 4 p.m.:
- New Zealand
- Saudi Arabia
- Taiwan
The entry restrictions (restrictions on who is allowed to come to Norway) have been lifted for travellers residing in the EEA / Schengen / United Kingdom / Switzerland and purple countries.
- Who is permitted to enter Norway? (helsenorge.no)
NIPH does not have sufficient reliable data for some countries on the EU’s third country list, and these third countries are colour-coded pale grey. The same rules for entry from these pale grey countries will apply as for entry from other countries outside the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom.
Numerical basis for assessing the infection situation in the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom and the EU's third country list
Every Thursday, NIPH prepares a report in order to assess which countries and regions in Europe require quarantine upon entry. The figures in the report are mainly taken from ECDC. The report is prepared in accordance with assignment number 116, sub-assignment 3. An assessment is also carried out of the countries on the EU’s third country list regarding countries and regions which could qualify for less strict entry restrictions (purple countries and regions). This assessment is carried out every Thursday:
Even-numbered weeks - reviews of countries and regions:
- where it is appropriate to change from green to red/orange and from red/orange to green
- where it is appropriate to change from purple to grey and from grey to purple
Odd-numbered weeks - reviews of countries and regions:
- where it is appropriate to change from green to red/orange
- where it is appropriate to change from purple to grey
On the basis of the report, the government then decides which countries and regions require entry quarantine and which countries must be assessed. Updated travel advice will take effect from no earlier than the day after the day on which the government adopts a change.
After the report has been assessed, it will be published on fhi.no:
Countries outside the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom and overseas regions
You must go into quarantine upon entering Norway from countries outside the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom and overseas regions.
Travellers from purple countries on the EU's list of 3rd countries have the same requirements for testing on arrival and quarantine as travellers from red countries.
Overseas regions, including Gibraltar, are not covered by the travel advice for countries in the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom. Overseas regions are subject to the same entry restrictions and quarantine rules as other countries outside the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom. Examples of overseas regions are land areas in the Caribbean and North Africa which are governed by a Schengen country, without belonging to the Schengen area as a result.
Criteria for assessing the infection rate
Green / orange countries in the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom or regions in the Nordic countries are considered to have sufficiently low infection rates. This means that these countries/regions have had:
- fewer than 75 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents during the last two weeks, or
- 75 - 200 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents during the last two weeks, and less than 4 % positive tests
The assessment can be made at regional level where health authorities can carry out comprehensive infection control assessments concerning the infection rates in individual regions.
Travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
With effect from Monday 5 July 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will withdraw the travel advice for countries in the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom. The travel advice has also been revoked for some countries and regions on the EU's third country list, known as purple countries and regions. This list is reviewed every week. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs still advises against all travel that is not strictly necessary to all other countries. The travel advice ends 1 October 2021 and is independent of the quarantine obligation.
Rules for those who are in entry quarantine
If you do not have a permanent residence, or a suitable place for quarantine, the municipality you are staying in can help you find such a place. This may apply to people without legal residence in the country / undocumented migrants.
- More information on testing and health care for people without legal residence in several languages (Helsenorge)
When you are in quarantine, the following applies:
For entry quarantine: You must go into quarantine for 10 days after arriving in Norway. The quarantine period may be shortened if you have a PCR test with a negative result no earlier than 3 days after arrival.
When you are in entry quarantine, you should keep a distance from older children and other adults.
For children and people in need of healthcare, however, the need for care must be given the highest priority.
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Avoid visits to the home
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Do not go to work, school, childcare centre or other activities outside the home.
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Do not take long trips in Norway.
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Do not use public transport.
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You can go for a walk, but maintain a distance of 2 metres from others.
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Avoid places where it is difficult to maintain a distance from other people.
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As a rule, you should not visit public places like shops. If there is no alternative, you may go out to carry out essential errands to the supermarket or pharmacy, but ensure that you maintain a distance (at least 1 metre) from other people, wear a face mask and avoid queues.
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Be alert for any symptoms. If you develop an acute respiratory tract infection with fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of sense of taste or smell while in quarantine, you will be considered to have probable COVID-19 disease. You should be tested as soon as possible and go into isolation at home until your test result is available. If you test positive for COVID-19 during your quarantine period, you must continue your home isolation, and the contact tracing team in your district or municipality will carry out full contact tracing. With a negative test result, you must continue your quarantine as planned.
Suitable locations for quarantine
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The most important requirement for accommodation to be considered suitable for spending quarantine is that you must be able to maintain a safe distance from other adults throughout the entire quarantine period.
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For those with a permanent residence in Norway, it is normal to spend quarantine at home. If you live with others but do not have much space, you can get help to find a suitable place.
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Halls of residence/shared housing can be suitable accommodation if it is possible to keep a distance to other adults and older children. You should use communal areas as little as possible.
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Student housing made available by the Student Association is probably not suitable as quarantine accommodation. Student housing belonging to Student Associations must be assessed under the exception in Section 5 fourth paragraph (a), which stipulates requirements for private rooms with their own toilet and kitchen, in order for the student to be able to complete their quarantine in student housing
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Overnight accommodation where you need to interact with other guests is not suitable for quarantine use. Staying in a motorhome, caravan, tent or cabin on campsite without a private bathroom/toilet and kitchen facilities is not acceptable for quarantine if you have to share these facilities with people other than your close contacts/travel companions. The same applies to staying at addresses where you have to share rooms/facilities with people other than those you normally live with, such as halls of residence and other accommodation with a shared bathroom or kitchen.
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Barracks may be suitable as accommodation, provided that you have a private room with your own bathroom/toilet/kitchen, or you have organised food delivery. See below regarding the organisation of adapted accommodation for quarantine use where many people live together.
Infection control advice for places of quarantine where many live together
Here are some points to consider when arranging accommodation where many people are to spend their quarantine period, e.g. quarantine hotels. Legal and financial conditions concerning such stays are provided by the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
Risk assessment
- Anyone who is responsible for accommodation for people in quarantine should carry out a risk assessment of the facilities and adapt the conditions to ensure adequate infection control. The risk assessment of the accommodation must cover the following:
- Which areas are suitable for those who are to be quarantined.
- How current infection control measures will be observed (social distance requirements, hand hygiene/cough etiquette, ventilation in the room, food serving, handling of laundry and waste).
- Plan for the wearing of face masks for people in quarantine and protective equipment.
- Action plan if quarantined people or employees become ill with COVID-19.
The manager/employer at the accommodation must ensure that their employees are aware of the organisation and responsibilities associated with those who are in quarantine.
The Municipal Medical Officer has medical responsibility for those who are to be quarantined in their municipality.
In collaboration with the person responsible for the accommodation, the Municipal Medical Officer must establish routines that protect employees against infection.
Social distancing requirements
Assess the need for the marking of corridors and communal areas and whether there is a need to put up notices concerning social distancing requirements.
Hand hygiene
Hand hygiene facilities must be available where people in quarantine spend time and in other communal areas where appropriate.
Written information should be prepared concerning when and how hand hygiene should be practised by both people in quarantine and staff.
Protective equipment for employees
There is no routine need for the use of protective equipment.
However, the manager/employer should carry out a risk assessment of the need to use protective equipment (face masks, gloves, overalls, visors) and establish routines for their use. Employees must have received training on how to use protective equipment and in which situations it is required.
Systems must also be established for the purchase and suitable storage of protective equipment.
Food service
People in quarantine must eat in their room and must not use communal dining rooms or buffet service. Food should be served in the room by placing the serving tray on a table outside the room. Employees should knock and then move away from the door area.
In the room, written information must be provided indicating that used serving trays should be placed outside the door after use. Employees must transport the serving trays to the areas where they are will be cleaned
Laundry
Existing routines for handling used linen, etc. should be reviewed, both with regard to internal routines and in connection with agreements with external laundry services.
People in quarantine should change their bed linen and put dirty linen, etc. in the collection bag which must be provided in the room. In the room, written information must be available stating which linen, etc. the person in quarantine can place in the bag (e.g. that personal clothing cannot be placed in the bag) and that full bags must be tied up and placed outside the door.
Employees must transport the bags to the laundry or other storage area, separated from other objects until washing.
Waste management
Existing waste routines should be reviewed to ensure adequate infection control.
People in quarantine should place rubbish in a refuse bag which must be provided in the room. In the room, written information must be provided stating that full refuse bags must be tied up and placed outside the door.
Employees must transport the bags to the appropriate waste containers.
Cleaning / disinfection of the room
Quarantined people should clean their own room using disposable cloths.
For the accommodation, it is sufficient to clean the room at the end of the quarantine period. Follow existing cleaning routines, in addition to enhanced cleaning of surfaces that are frequently touched.
People in quarantine
People in quarantine must be given information about infection control measures, including:
- The need to keep your distance.
- Hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
- Regularly ventilate the room if possible.
- Wear a face mask if the employee must enter the room or when moving.
- What to do if they become ill.
- Healthcare personnel from the municipality should preferably follow up those who are in quarantine.
- It is not recommended that employees enter the rooms of anyone who is in quarantine. If employees must enter the room, the person in quarantine must ventilate the room first, put on a face mask and keep their distance.
- Employees must consider whether there is a need to use protective equipment if distance cannot be maintained.
- The person who is in quarantine should not mix with other people. Visits should be postponed until the infection status has been clarified. Information on how people in quarantine should behave can be found under Advice for people in quarantine.
- Routines if someone in quarantine or an employee becomes ill
- Via the manager/employer at the accommodation, the Municipal Medical Officer must establish routines which explain how both the person who is in quarantine and employees at the accommodation are to respond if the person develops COVID-19 symptoms.
Public transport when you are in entry quarantine
If you are in entry quarantine, you should normally avoid using public transport, and must never use it if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
If you have been placed in entry quarantine, you may still use public transport to reach your quarantine accommodation within or outside Norway. For these journeys, the following apply:
- Take the quickest route.
- Face masks must be worn during the entire journey in these cases, except for children under 12 years. Wear the recommended type of face mask and follow the advice concerning correct use.
- Be particularly careful about maintaining good hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
- Try to avoid departures where it is not possible to keep at least one metre distance. Use pre-booked/registered seats where possible.
- If you must stay overnight on the way, use pre-booked accommodation in accordance with the requirements and recommendations applying to quarantine.
Other exemptions from entry quarantine
There are other exemptions, read more here:
- Rules about quarantine and exemptions from the quarantine obligation upon arrival in Norway (hdir.no)
- Travel quarantine - FAQs(regjeringen.no)
FAQ about entry quarantine and travel abroad
- Chat service (helsenorge.no)
- Telephone 815 55 015 (Mon-Fri 08.00-15.30)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Alphabetical list of countries and the rules that apply when travelling to a country.
- Re-open EU - EUs official website for travel regulations for different countries in the EU and the Schengen area
Infection control advice for travellers
Earlier versions of maps
Information for the general public
For general advice about coronavirus: our topic page and helsenorge.no
Information helpline for questions about coronavirus: 815 55 015 (weekdays 08-15.30)
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has answers to many frequently asked questions about travelling to Norway, and a helpline 23351600 that is open on weekdays from 10:00-14:00.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also has answers to many frequently asked questions.
If you need acute medical attention, contact your doctor. If you cannot reach your doctor, contact the emergency out-of-hours clinic on 116117. If life is in danger, call 113.