Norway
Last update 03 November 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, PO Box 4036 AMB, 0244 Oslo
Telephone: +47 22 55 40 40
E-mail: [email protected]
Office hours: 08:30 – 17:00 h.
Reception hours of the Consular Service:
Tuesday and Thursday: 09:00 - 11:30 h.
A Time slot for in person contact at the Consular Section should be reserved via e-mail: [email protected] .
Telephone communication with the Embassy, incl. Consular section, and consular consultations:
Monday and Wednesday 14:30–16:30 ч. at telephone - +47 22 55 40 40.
Emergency phone number:
+47/480 89 793
Reception at the Consular Office takes place after an appointment by e-mail at [email protected].
Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Norway in the Republic of Bulgaria
mr. Konstantin Daradanov
9000 Varna, 32 Tsar Simeon I St., floor 7
Telephone: + 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]
Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Norway in the Republic of Bulgaria
mrs. Ventseslava Yanchovska
Office: Platinum Business Centre
1000 Sofia, 26-30 Bacho Kiro St.
Telephone: +3592 4177 077, +359 899 177 077
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
On 30 June 2016, the Kingdom of Norway closed its Embassy in Sofia. Accredited for the Republic of Bulgaria is the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Romania, based in Bucharest.
Security level:
The overall crime rate in Norway is one of the lowest in Europe. However, it is recommended not to park in remote and unmarked areas, leave personal belongings and luggage unattended in vehicles and in public places. Especially in Oslo, it is recommended to drive with caution in the area around and east of Central Station.
It should be noted an increase in robberies at homes during the holidays (Christmas, Easter, summer vacation), as well as in vehicles during part of peak traffic.
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 major urban areas. The remote and sparsely populated locations in northern Norway and the reliance on ferries to cross the fjords of western Norway can affect transportation and immediate access to medical centres. Extensive information on vaccinations and other health precautions can be found at HERE.
Specifics of the local legislation:
National legislation is largely harmonised with that of the EU, as Norway is bound by the EEA Treaty and the Schengen Treaty. Nevertheless, Norway has some exceptions and it should generally be known that only Norwegian law applies and applies here. The possession, use and distribution of drugs is prohibited and, depending on the severity of the offence, always leads to heavy fines and sentences, and in the case of foreign nationals, immediate expulsion follows, accompanied by a ban on residing on Norwegian territory for several years. The use of sexual services is also criminalised.
Customs requirements:
The import of medicines, poisons, firearms, plants and exotic animals is prohibited. To import a weapon, you must have prior authorisation from customs and present a valid hunting licence.
Customs requirements for Norway can be downloaded from HERE.
Road traffic:
In Norway, road conditions differ significantly from those in other countries, especially in Bulgaria, due to the varied and complex topography (mountains, lakes and fjords) and sometimes difficult terrain. Public transport (road and rail) in Norway is safe, and the maintenance and condition of the national road and rail network, as well as the streets in settlements, is generally good. In some mountainous, forest and rural areas, road conditions are more difficult, especially in winter, and there is limited availability of roadside assistance.
Many mountain roads are closed due to snow, from late fall to late spring. With the exception of motorways, most roads in Norway are two-way and in some places have many tunnels. The most difficult roads are in the mountainous areas, due to the large slopes and numerous curves. On the narrowest roads, passing only occurs on special widenings, but drivers are tolerant and wait each other out.
Although the roads in Norway are regularly cleared of snow, the use of winter tyres is compulsory for all motor vehicles from November to April. Norwegian law requires drivers to always drive with their headlights on when driving. The right of way rule and the right of way of the person entering the roundabout apply here. In some, but not all, cases, main roads with ‘right of way’ are marked. Seat belts are compulsory for both drivers and passengers, including those in the rear seats. It is not allowed to talk on a mobile phone while driving, and offenders are fined 1,300 kroner (about EUR 170). The maximum speed limit on motorways is 100 km/h, including in summer. The automatic cameras on the roads are indicated by relevant road signs, but they help drivers to respect the speed limits, which are often lower than in other European countries (due to the difficult terrain and severe weather conditions). The penalties for speeding offences are fines, which are generally very high and are a percentage of declared income, and in more serious cases prison is also applied. Norway has one of the strictest drink-driving laws in Europe, with severe penalties for offenders including fines, licence revocation and, in some cases, jail. The permissible level of alcohol when driving is 0 ‰. Blood alcohol tests are common. Driving under the influence of drugs and certain medications is also prosecuted by law.
It should be borne in mind that the fines for driving offences in Norway are extremely high. Some examples:
1. Fines for improper parking — from 500 to over 800 NOC, depending on the location of the violation;
2.Fines for speeding:
- at a speed limit up to 60 km/h.
a) for exceeding 5 km/h — NOK 600
b) for an excess of 25 km/h — NOK 6,500
- at a speed limit up to 90 km/h.
a) for an excess of 36—40 km/h — NOK 9,000
3.Fine for improperly crossing a traffic light-controlled intersection, and for failure to keep distance — NOK 5,200;
4.Fine for failure to obey traffic signs — NOK 4,200;
5.Fine for improper overtaking with a motor vehicle — NOK 5,200
6.Fine for failing to keep right of way — NOK 5,200
7.Fine for driving a vehicle without using a signal when manoeuvring, without headlights on, improper use of high and low beams, without sufficient visibility, with more passengers than the normal capacity of the vehicle - NOK 2,000.
According to a decision of the Norwegian Parliament, from 01 January 2015 it will be mandatory for all trucks over 3.5 tonnes travelling on Norway's road network to have a tag installed to record their passage through the automated toll stations on the country's roads and when entering major cities. The marker is a small electronic device that is placed on the inside of the windscreen of cars. Enforcement of this regulation will be monitored by the police, customs authorities and the Norwegian Road Administration. Fines will be imposed for infringements starting from NOK 8,000 (approximately EUR 1,000). Contracts for the receipt of the electronic bookmarks will be available on the Internet: www.autopass.no or www.easygo.com. From 01 January 2015 it will also be possible to sign a contract and obtain a toll tag at the border crossings when entering Norway.
It is important for motorists to know that there is a charge for travelling on the highways and entering the major cities in Norway. Specific to Norway, almost all toll stations are automated and do not have manned counters where you can pay by hand. Vehicles are photographed when passing through a toll station, and the reading of the passage is done by an electronic device attached to the windscreen of the vehicle. For temporary stays in Norway, it is advisable to pay a pre-determined amount online for tolls. This is done as on http: //www.autopass.no/ Visitor's Payment// you create a personal account by registering a credit card and the vehicle being driven. In this case it is not necessary to have an electronic device in the vehicle. A transit is made through the toll stations, where the vehicle is photographed and the corresponding amount is deducted from the personal account created. You can start driving in Norway immediately after registration. If you haven't registered online in advance, you can do so within 14 days of first passing through a toll station. If you do not wish to register on the Internet, you can pay the toll at the petrol stations marked ‘KR-Service’/almost all ‘ESSO’ petrol stations/ within three days after the first pass through the toll station. In this case, you need to know how many stations you have passed through and what total amount you owe. The toll booths have signs with the price in NOK per pass for different types of vehicles. Since the beginning of 2014, the price for passing a car through a toll station has been increased from NOK 30 to NOK 31. More details on the issue of tolls in Norway can be found on the website: http://www.autopass.no/, including in English.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Norway operates in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and complies with aviation safety standards for the oversight of air carrier operations in Norway. Additional information can be found on the FAA's Safety Assessment page.
Practical advice:
Given the common accidents suffered by hikers, it is required to be especially careful in the mountains. Many accidents, especially in the winter season, are due to careless behaviour (especially when skiing and sledding) or inappropriate clothing and equipment. It is important that you inform the reception of the hotel you are staying at about your tourist walks and trips.
Weather conditions in Norway are very variable. Even when trekking at low altitudes in the country, the usual precautions should be taken, including systematic weather advice before departure. Avoid being a ‘lone hiker’ and make sure you have the right gear and equipment (clothes, sturdy shoes, map and compass for the long distances). It is recommended that you never risk going on a glacier alone, but use a local qualified guide for this type of excursion. Every glacier is in constant motion and unexpected and deep crevasses, ice slides, avalanches can occur.
The same recommendations apply to canyons.
Norwegians are very committed to the preservation of the ecosystem. People who disrespect environmental protection and pollute or destroy the environment are subject to very heavy fines and penalties. Note, in the winter, it is recommended that you walk in the middle of the sidewalk to avoid getting hit by falling ice from rooftops.
In Norway, persons with disabilities have full access everywhere. Oslo International Airport (Gardermoen) has wheelchairs available and the staff is very helpful. The subway and rail system (T-Banen) have above average wheelchair accessibility. Taxi drivers usually assist wheelchair users. It is possible to order taxis with wheelchair platforms. From December to March, it is impossible to get around in a wheelchair without someone else's help due to the large amount of snow and ice on the streets and sidewalks. Shopping centres are generally wheelchair accessible. However, individual small shops with entrances from the street are not accessible. Large shops, hotels, public buildings and petrol stations are equipped with special disability toilets. Fewer than half of Norway's restaurants are wheelchair accessible and many have toilets that can be reached by going up and down stairs.
Along with Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages, the use of English is widespread in Norway.
Local currency:
Norwegian Krone (NOK).
It is advisable to have local currency when you arrive in the country, as there are a limited number of currency exchange locations and nowhere accepts any currency other than the krone as a means of payment.
Travel papers and visas
Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond the period of stay. There is a visa-free regime between Norway and Bulgaria. Since 25 March 2001, Norway has belonged to the Schengen area.
There are no more border controls for travellers from another Schengen country or for EU member states like Bulgaria. However, a valid passport or national identity card is required for entry and residence in the territory. Customs controls still exist.
Competitive service
Bulgarian identity documents
The Embassy in Norway accepts applications for passports, identity cards and Emergency Travel Documents, as it has biometric capture equipment (fingerprints and iris photo).
Certifications and legalizations:
In order for a document issued by the Norwegian Civil Registry to be recognized in Bulgaria, and vice versa, for a Bulgarian document to be recognized in Norway, it must be legalized with a special Apostille certificate and translated. The translation must be carried out by a translator who has a contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to carry out official translations. More information, as well as the full list of companies contracted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide official translations can be found at HERE.
In Norway, civil status certificates (extract from the population information system) are issued and legalized with a special Apostille certificate from the Registration Office (Fulkesmann) and translated into Bulgarian by the translators authorized by the Embassy. Their names, addresses and telephone numbers are available at the Consular Office with the Embassy. No translation shall be certified if it has not been made by one of the sworn translators.