Norway
Last update 23 March 2023Diplomatic missions
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Level 1: Without special recommendations
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The Kingdom of Norway
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Kingdom of Norway
Address: Tidemands gate 11, 0244 Oslo
Telephone: +47 22 55 40 40
Out-of-hours hotline: +47 47 65 24 20
Office hours: 08.30 - 17.00 h
Office hours of the Consular Service: Mon - Fri, 09:30 - 12:30 h.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/norway
Norwegian Honorary Consulate General Sofia
Venceslava Yanchovska
Honorary Consul General
Platinum Business Center
1000 Sofia, 26-30 rue Bacho Kiro
Tél.:+3592 4177 077, +359 899 177 077
E-mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consul of Norway in Bulgaria
Konstantin Daradanov
9000 Varna, 32, rue Tzar Simeon I, ét. 7
Tél.: +359 52 63 07 95/6
Fax: +359 52 60 02 59
GSM: +359 888 568 278
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
general information
Local currency
Norwegian krone (NOK)
It is recommended that upon arrival in the country passengers have local currency, as there are limited places for exchange and other currency is not accepted as payment.
Crime and security
The overall Crime rate in Norway is one of the lowest in Europe. However, it is recommended not to park in remote and unmarked places, not to leave personal belongings and luggage unattended in vehicles and public places. Especially for Oslo, travellers are advised to move with caution in the area around Central Station and to the east of it.
An increase in home burglaries during the holidays (Christmas, Easter, summer holidays) should be noted, and of vehicles in peak traffic hours.
Legislation specifics
National legislation is largely harmonised with EU legislation, since Norway is a Signatory of the EEA Agreement and the Schengen Agreement. However, Norway has some exceptions and in general, it should be known that only Norwegian law applies in the country. The possession, use and distribution of drugs is prohibited and, depending on the severity of the offense, it always leads to big fines and sentences, and for foreign nationals - to immediate expulsion, together with prohibition of residence in Norway for several years. The use of sexual services is also a criminal offense.
Customs requirements
Imports of medical drugs, poisons, firearms, plants and exotic animals is prohibited.
For import of firearms, one must have prior authorisation by the customs authorities and present a valid hunting license.
Road traffic
In Norway, road conditions differ significantly from those in other countries and particularly in Bulgaria, due to the diverse and complex terrain (mountains, lakes and fjords) and – occasionally – rough terrains. Public transport (road and rail) in Norway is safe and the maintenance and condition of the national road and rail network, and of streets in the settlements, is generally good. In some mountain, forest and rural regions, road conditions are difficult, especially during winter and there the availability of roadside assistance is limited.
Many mountain roads are closed due to heavy snow from late autumn to late spring. With the exception of highways, most roads in Norway are bidirectional and in some places with many tunnels. The most difficult of all are roads in mountainous areas, due to steep slopes and numerous turns. On the narrowest roads, vehicles can overtake each other on specific extensions only, but drivers are tolerant.
Although the roads in Norway are regularly cleaned of snow, the use of winter tires is compulsory for all motor vehicles from November to April. Norwegian law requires motorists to always drive with lights on. In some but not all cases, main free pass roads are marked. Driving with belts on is compulsory for both drivers and passengers, including those sitting in the rear seats. Talking on the phonw while driving is not allowed, and violators are fined 1,300 kroner (about 170 EUR). Norway's maximum speed limit for the autobahn system is 100 km/h. Automatic cameras on roads are indicated by appropriate traffic signs, but they help drivers comply with speed limits, as these are often lower than in other European countries (due to complex terrain and severe weather conditions). Speeding is fined, and these fines are generally very high and are a percentage of declared income, but in more severe cases prison is also an option. Norway has one of the most stringent laws in Europe for driving under the influence of alcohol, providing heavy penalties for offenders, including fines, revocation of driver’s license, and in some cases, imprisonment. The permitted level of alcohol when driving is 0.2 per thousand. Checks for blood alcohol content are common. Driving under the influence of drugs and some medications is also pursued by law.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Norway operates in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and complies with aviation safety standards for the oversight of air carrier operations in Norway. Further information can be found on the FAA safety assessment web-site.
Healthcare
Sanitary conditions in the country are good. No vaccinations are required.
Medical care is widely available and of high quality, but may be limited outside of major urban areas. Remote and sparsely populated areas in northern Norway and dependence on ferries to cross the fjords of Western Norway, may affect transport and immediate access to medical centres. Extensive information on vaccinations and other preventive health measures is available on the website of the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) - HERE
For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, please consult the website of the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO website also contains additional health information for travellers, including detailed information about specific features in terms of health care in each country. To receive free emergency medical care, it is necessary to have a European Health Insurance Card issued at least 15 days before departure.
Travel papers and visas
Your passport should be valid for at least three months after the period of stay.
Between Norway and Bulgaria, there is a visa-free regime.
From 25 March 2001, Norway belongs to the Schengen area.
There are no border controls for travellers from other Schengen countries or EU member states, such as Bulgaria. However, a valid passport or national identity card is required for entry and residence in the country. Customs control is still in place.
Practical advice
Given the frequent injuries suffered by tourists, people are required to be especially careful in the mountains. Many accidents, especially during the winter season, are due to negligent behaviour (especially skiing and sleighing), or inadequate clothing and equipment. It is important to inform the hotel reception at the place where you are staying about that you will be going on a tourist walk or trip.
Weather conditions in Norway are very variable. Even when moving at low altitudes across the country, the usual precautions should be taken, including frequent checks of weather conditions before departure. Avoid being a “lone traveller” and make sure you have appropriate clothes and equipment (clothing, sturdy shoes, a map and a compass for large distances). It is advisable never to risk moving alone on a glacier, but use a qualified local guide for such excursions. Each glacier is in constant motion and unexpected and deep cracks, dropping ice and avalanches can occur.
These recommendations also apply to canyons.
Norwegians are very committed to preserving the ecosystem. People who do not respect the protection of the environment and pollute or destroy it suffer severe fines and penalties. Please note that in winter, it is recommended to move in the middle of the sidewalk, in order to avoid ice falling from roofs.
In Norway, people with disabilities have full access everywhere. At Gardermoen, the international airport of Oslo, wheelchairs are available and the staff is very responsive. The subway and rail system (T-Banen) have above average accessibility for a wheelchair. Taxi drivers usually help people in wheelchairs. It is possible to order a taxi with a wheelchair platform. From December to March, it is impossible to move in a wheelchair without assistance, because of the large amount of snow and ice on streets and sidewalks. Shopping malls are generally wheelchair accessible. However, some small shops with entrances from the street are not accessible. Supermarkets, hotels, public buildings and gas stations are equipped with special toilets for the disabled. Less than half the restaurants in Norway are wheelchair accessible and many of them have toilets that are to be reached by moving up and down stairs.
Along with Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages, the use of English in Norway is widespread.
Competitive service
Certification and Legalisation
In order to be recognised in Bulgaria, a document issued by the Norwegian civil registry and, respectively, for a Bulgarian document to be recognised in Norway, it must be legalised by a special Apostille certification and translated. The translation must be performed by a translator who has a contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for official translation.
In Norway, civil status acts (an excerpt from the population information system) are issued and legalised with a special Apostille certification by the Registry Service (Fylkesmann) and Bulgarian translation by Embassy-authorised translators. Their names, addresses and telephone numbers are available at the Consular Section of the Embassy. Translation which is not carried by some of the sworn translators is refused certification.
Bulgarian identity documents
The Bulgarian Embassy in Norway accepts applications for passports, identity cards and temporary passports, as it has the equipment necessary for the collection of biometric data (fingerprints and iris photography).