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Entry quarantine and rules upon arrival in Norway
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All persons arriving in Norway from abroad, with the exception of green countries/regions in Europe, must go into quarantine, although certain exemptions apply.
All persons arriving in Norway from abroad, with the exception of green countries/regions in Europe, must go into quarantine, although certain exemptions apply.
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Entry quarantine upon arrival in Norway
All persons travelling to Norway from abroad, except countries/regions in the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom which have a sufficiently low infection rate (green countries/regions shown on the map below) must go into entry quarantine, unless they are covered by the exemption provisions of the COVID-19 Regulation.
Entry quarantine lasts for 10 days. Fully vaccinated persons and persons who have had COVID-19 during the past six months are exempt from entry quarantine. Protected persons who received their first vaccine dose between three and 15 weeks ago and children under 18 must go into entry quarantine, but may end their quarantine if they test negative no earlier than three days after arrival.
Currently, only presentation of a COVID-19 certificate (Norwegian, Danish, Swedish or EU digital COVID certificate) with a QR code which can be verified by the Norwegian authorities is considered to be a secure and verifiable way of proving vaccination or previous illness.
- See your COVID-19 certificate (helsenorge.no)
Other persons in entry quarantine must take a PCR test seven days after arrival. If they then test negative for COVID-19 via a PCR test (not a rapid antigen test), they can end their quarantine.
Special requirements have been established regarding the quarantine accommodation when you complete your quarantine at home or in other suitable accommodation.
- The quarantine check - what rules apply to you? (helsedirektoratet.no)
Map with status for entry quarantine
Map with countries/regions covered by quarantine upon entry to Norway from 12 July (the map will be updated every Sunday night at 00:00):
If you arrive in Norway from a green region, you will not have to go into quarantine, while if you arrive from a red/orange/purple region, you must go into quarantine (with some exemptions). If you arrive from a dark red or pale grey region, you must stay at a quarantine hotel for three days. You can then complete the remaining quarantine in other suitable accommodation. If you arrive in Norway via a region which is not subject to a quarantine obligation, the quarantine period will be shortened by the time you spent in the quarantine-free region.
| Australia |
| Israel |
| Japan |
| Lebanon |
| New Zealand |
| North Macedonia |
| Serbia |
| South Corea |
| Taiwan |
| Singapore |
Numerical basis for the map
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. In even-numbered weeks, countries and regions which could potentially be altered from green to red/orange and from red/orange to green are assessed. In odd-numbered weeks, countries and regions which could potentially be altered from green to red/orange are considered.
On the basis of the report, the government then decides which countries and regions require entry quarantine. Once the decision has been made, the report is published on fhi.no:
- Numerical basis for the map (in Norwegian)
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. NIPH updates information for Norway on the entry quarantine page from the time the advice actually takes effect.
The figures on the ECDC's website, overviews from individual countries and NIPH's pages can therefore sometimes differ.
Travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
With effect from Monday 5 July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will withdraw the travel advice for countries in the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom. The travel advice for certain countries and regions on the EU’s ‘third country list’ will also be withdrawn at the same time: Australia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Serbia, South Korea, Taiwan, the USA and Singapore. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs still advises against all travel that is not strictly necessary to all other countries. The travel advice is valid until 10 August 2021 and is independent of the quarantine obligation.
Entry rules and requirements upon arrival in Norway
In principle, only Norwegian citizens and foreign nationals resident in Norway can enter Norway, with certain exemptions. Foreign nationals resident in countries/regions that are not subject to a quarantine obligation (green countries/regions) can also enter Norway. Foreign nationals who have been fully vaccinated or had COVID-19 during the last six months and who are able to prove by presenting a COVID-19 certificate with a QR code that can be verified by the Norwegian authorities may also enter.
In addition, foreign nationals resident in the EEA area or the United Kingdom who are closely related (such as children, parents or grandparents) to a resident of Norway. Partners may enter Norway provided that they have obtained prior consent for their visit through application to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). With effect from 5 July 2021, this also applies to foreign nationals living in an EU third country who satisfy the requirements for slightly less strict entry rules (purple countries).
- Who can travel to Norway? (helsenorge.no)
There is still mandatory testing, travel registration, quarantine and, where applicable, quarantine hotels for most people who are permitted to Norway, but there are some exemptions (see the table below).
| Who? |
Requirements upon entry |
Quarantine or not? |
|
Fully vaccinated* |
Valid COVID-19 certificate* |
No quarantine |
|
Had COVID-19* |
||
|
3-15 weeks after first vaccine dose* |
Valid COVID-19 certificate* for those who have had their first dose between 3 and 15 weeks ago. Entry registration. Exemption for children under 16 travelling with a parent who must register Test before arrival (exemption for children under 12) Test upon arrival (children under 12 shall not be tested if it is unreasonably demanding to test the child) |
Quarantine at home or in other suitable accommodation, you can end quarantine with a negative PCR test after 3 days. |
|
Children under 18 years |
||
|
Other arrivals over 18 years |
Entry registration Test before and upon arrival
|
Quarantine at home or in other suitable accommodation |
|
*Requires a valid COVID-19 certificate. Currently, only presentation of a COVID-19 certificate (Norwegian, Danish, Swedish or EU digital COVID certificate) with a QR code which can be verified by the Norwegian authorities is considered to be secure and verifiable proof of vaccination or previous illness. |
||
- Entry into Norway (Directorate of Immigration)
- Verifiable COVID-19 certificate (government.no)
- Information on entry to Norway (helsenorge.no)
- Information sheets in many languages concerning entry provisions (helsedirektoratet.no)
Registration obligation
All persons, with the exception of fully vaccinated persons and persons who have had COVID-19 during the past six months, are obliged to register when entering Norway by completing a travel registration form before travelling to the country. This also applies to travellers from green countries and regions.
- Registration of arrivals in Norway (government.no)
Requirement for negative test result before arrival in Norway
Persons arriving in Norway from regions subject to a quarantine obligation must present a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test result (see Section 4a of the COVID-19 Regulation). PCR tests (i.e. PCR or other nucleic acid amplification tests) and rapid antigen tests are accepted test methods. The test must have been taken in the last 24 hours prior to arrival in Norway. For persons travelling by air, the requirement is 24 hours before the scheduled departure time of the first flight. The certificate must be issued in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, English, French or German. Persons who are unable to present such a certificate may be refused entry. The requirement also applies to Norwegian citizens and persons resident in Norway provided it would have been impossible or disproportionately difficult to obtain such a certificate.
The requirement for a negative test does not apply to children under 12 or persons who are able to prove through an approved laboratory method that they have had COVID-19 during the last six months, or that they have been fully vaccinated via a COVID-19 certificate. The requirement also does not apply to certain other groups referred to in 4a (c) - (r), although it is still recommended that these groups get themselves tested prior to entry.
Test upon arrival
All persons arriving in Norway are obliged to have a test at the border crossing point. This also applies to travellers from green countries and regions. There are some exemptions from the requirement, for example for fully vaccinated people and persons who have had COVID-19 during the last six months (see Section 4d of the COVID-19 Regulation). Children under 12 need not be tested where it would disproportionately demanding for the child to have the test.
The test must be a rapid antigen test. A PCR test may only be used in exceptional cases. Wherever practicable, persons tested via a rapid antigen test must wait at the testing station until their test result is available, depending on the circumstances at the station. In the event of a positive rapid antigen test, persons who have stayed outside the EEA and Schengen area or the United Kingdom during the last 10 days must take a PCR test at the border crossing point. Other persons with a positive rapid antigen test must take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival. Border control officials may instruct travellers to get themselves tested at a particular testing station immediately after entering Norway.
- Open border crossings with and without testing stations (helsedirektoratet.no)
Quarantine hotel
The general rule is that travellers to Norway (including those who live in Norway) are obliged to spend part of their quarantine period at a quarantine hotel.
Minors (under 18 years of age) and persons protected from COVID-19 (fully vaccinated persons, 3-15 weeks after the first vaccine dose, or had COVID-19 during the past 6 months) are exempt from the requirement to stay at a quarantine hotel and may complete their quarantine period in other suitable accommodation.
Currently, only presentation of a Norwegian, Danish, Swedish or EU digital COVID certificate with a QR code which can be verified by the Norwegian authorities is considered to be secure and verifiable proof of vaccination or previous illness.
- See your COVID-19 certificate (helsenorge.no)
Travellers from countries within the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom with fewer than 500 new infection cases per 100,000 during the last two weeks are excluded the requirement to stay at a quarantine hotel. Travellers from countries outside the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom are normally required to stay at a quarantine hotel until obtaining a negative test result no earlier than after three days. The rest of the entry quarantine may be completed in your own home or other suitable accommodation. Since 5 July 2021, travellers from purple countries on the EU’s third country list have also been exempt from this requirement.
Travellers from countries within the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom with more than or equal to 500 new infection cases per 100,000 during the last two weeks, or where special infection control considerations apply, must stay at a quarantine hotel until they have a negative PCR test taken after three days.
| Country | Region (blank=whole country) |
| None |
- Phased opening for safe travel (regjeringen.no)
Regions of Europe
With effect from 5 July, selected islands and archipelagos in Europe will be assessed at regional level. This applies to:
- Canary Islands
- Madeira
- Azores
- Corsica
- Sardinia
- Sicily
- Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera)
- 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 countries/regions, it will be possible to travel to these regions without having to go into quarantine when you return home.
The EU’s selected third countries (purple countries and regions)
With effect from 5 July, countries and regions on the EU’s third country list which are considered to meet the criteria for green countries will be classified as countries that may be subject to slightly less strict entry rules. These countries and territories 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 red countries/regions. However, they are not required to stay at a quarantine hotel.
Only foreign nationals resident in a purple country who are closely related to a resident of Norway are permitted to enter from these purple countries and regions.
- 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 other countries outside the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom.
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. You will normally be required to stay at a quarantine hotel until you get a negative result to a test taken no earlier than after three days. The rest of the entry quarantine may be completed in your own home or other suitable accommodation.
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.
Countries and regions with a sufficiently low infection rate
There is no quarantine duty obligation from countries in the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom or from regions in the Nordic countries which have a sufficiently low infection rate. These regions are indicated in green on the map at the top of this page and are updated every week.
NIPH assesses the situation in the EEA/Schengen/United Kingdom every week:
- In even-numbered weeks, countries and regions which could potentially be altered from green to red/orange and from red/orange to green are assessed.
- In odd-numbered weeks, countries and regions which could potentially be altered from green to red/orange are considered.
The Norwegian government is responsible for decisions concerning which countries are covered by entry quarantine and which countries should be assessed. Updated travel advice will take effect from no earlier than the day after the day on which the government adopts a change.
- Quarantine and exemptions from quarantine (lovdata.no)
In "green 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. The infection rate is higher in "red/orange countries/regions". "Pale grey regions" have not been evaluated or there is insufficient data on the infection rate.
When you arrive in Norway from a "red/orange/purple region", you should go straight to a suitable location in order to carry out your quarantine, preferably using your own transport. If you have to stay in a public place or travel by public transport, wear a face mask until you arrive at your destination. Try to avoid departures where you are unable to keep at least 1 meter away from other people.
When you arrive from a dark red or pale grey region, you must go straight to a quarantine hotel.
Criteria for assessing the infection rate
The threshold values were altered with effect from 5 July.
Green 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 50 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents during the last two weeks, and an average of less than 4% positive test results during the last two weeks
- fewer than 75 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents during the last two weeks, and an average of less than 1% positive test results during the last two weeks
In addition, an overall assessment of the countries will be carried out, based on trends in infection figures and other relevant information.
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.
Exemptions from the quarantine obligation
FAQ about entry quarantine and travel abroad
- FAQs (regjeringen.no)
- 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 (in English) - Travel rules 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.