Adult learning Business activities Buying property Cultural heritage Employees Employment Family matters Health services Healthy living Higher education Jobseekers Leisure and recreation Living together Moving home

Names and people Parents and children Passports and identification Patients Public administration and policy Schools and education Social security Society and civic duties Starting up Taxation Trade and Industry Travel and transport Travellers Vehicles

Adult learning

Where can I find information about Norwegian language classes?

Contact your local municipality for information about language courses in the area where you live in Norway.

In Oslo, the Oslo Adult Education centre has published information about courses for fee-paying and non fee-paying learners of Norwegian. You will also find useful information about rights and duties concerning Norwegian language learning on the velkommenoslo.no web site.

A list of institutions outside Norway, where you can study Norwegian, is available from Study in Norway web site.

Business activities

How do I register my company in Norway?

The Brønnøysund Register is the public administrative agency responsible for a number of national control, information and registration schemes in Norway. Contact them for a form to register your business enterprise.

Where can I find information about starting my own business?

Bedin, which represents the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has company information, including pages entitled Start-Up Information. You can also call the Narvik Business Hotline for expert advice, tel: (+47) 800 33 840. This service is free of charge unless you are calling from a cell phone or abroad. For information and advice on Norwegian business innovation, internationalisation and promotion, you may contact one of Innovation Norway's international offices or contact the central Innovation Norway office in Norway.

Where can I get a list of companies trading within a specific industry in Norway?

Information regarding companies trading within specific industry sectors can be found on the web pages of www.nortrade.com, the Official Norwegian Trade Portal. The Brønnøysund Register Centre oversees The Register of Business Enterprises in Norway. You may contact the centre and order specific company information from them. There is a fee for this service. You may also consult the Norwegian Yellow Pages (Gule Sider) for contact details for specific companies in Norway (select "Choose category" within the search field).

Buying property

Where can I find information about buying property in Norway?

You can find useful information and a list of state approved, private estate agents on the Norwegian Association of Real Estate Agents' web site. Alternatively, you can contact the Norwegian Association of Lawyers, telephone: (+47) 22 03 50 50 for help in finding a lawyer specialising in property law. If you have questions regarding the purchase of farmland, contact the Norwegian Agricultural Authority (Statens landbruksforvaltning). It is not obligatory to involve a lawyer in purchasing property in Norway, however, you are obliged to register the sale or purchase or property with an official registration authority (tinglysingsmyndighet). For advice concerning such registration, contact the "Tinglysingstelefon" helpdesk on tel: (+47) 32 11 88 00, open 9am to 2 pm, Mondays to Fridays.

Cultural heritage

How can I trace my ancestry?

You might like to start by consulting the Digitial Archives, which is a public service from the National Archives of Norway. They have a link to a document published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled How to trace your ancestors in Norway, by Yngve Nedrebø. You may also contact The Norwegian Emigration Centre for help with genealogy questions.

Where can I find photographs of Norwegian scenery and people?

Innovation Norway has a selection of photographs available online; please follow the following link to their Photoservice. The National Archives of Norway also have photographic material as part of their Online Exhibitions. For official royal photographs, the Royal Family’s Information Office handles fan mail, and SCANPIX handles press and media requests for photographs.

Employees

I think I have been unfairly dismissed from my job, what can I do?

You should read the Working Environment Act to clarify your rights. You can also check the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's web site for information on employees' rights. If you need more advice, you can contact the Norwegian Labour Inspection's citizen advice service by e-mail: svartjenesten@arbeidstilsynet.dep.no or by telephone: (+47) 815 48 222.

Where can I find out about my rights regarding holidays and salary payments?

Regulation concerning holidays and work is outlined in Annual Holidays Act , published by the Directorate of Labour Inspection.

Employment

Am I authorised to work in the Norwegian health sector?

For the recognition of professional health qualifications, contact SAFH - Norwegian Registration for Health Personnel (Statens autorisasjonskontor for helsepersonell). They give authorisation and advice regarding licences for health care personnel in Norway. Follow the link "professions" in the top menu of their web site for professional qualification requirements.

How do I apply for a work or residence permit?

The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) provides information about Norwegian immigration regulations and how to apply for different kinds of residence and work permits in Norway.

If you are already in Norway, you should contact your local police station for advice on application procedures. In Oslo, you should contact the authorities at Grønland politistasjon, Grønlandsleiret 44, N-0190 Oslo. Tel.: +47 22 66 90 50.

From outside Norway, you should contact your nearest Royal Norwegian Embassy or Consulate which is responsible for representing Norwegian affairs abroad. To find a Norwegian authority based abroad, try using Norway - the official site portal.

How do I register my company in Norway?

The Brønnøysund Register is the public administrative agency responsible for a number of national control, information and registration schemes in Norway. Contact them for a form to register your business enterprise.

Where can I find a list of public holidays in Norway?

In Statistics Norway's brochure "Minifacts about Norway" you will find a link in the left-hand menu to a web page with details of Official Flag days and public holidays in Norway.

Where can I find information about starting my own business?

Bedin, which represents the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has company information, including pages entitled Start-Up Information. You can also call the Narvik Business Hotline for expert advice, tel: (+47) 800 33 840. This service is free of charge unless you are calling from a cell phone or abroad. For information and advice on Norwegian business innovation, internationalisation and promotion, you may contact one of Innovation Norway's international offices or contact the central Innovation Norway office in Norway.

Where can I find information about working in Norway?

The employment services in Norway are called NAV . On our web pages, www.norway.no, you can find an alphabetical list of local employment offices in Norway.

The employment services in Norway, NAV , also provide information about applying for work via Eures (European Employment Services). European job seekers from outside Norway are advised to contact a Eures office in their home country for help in finding work in Norway.

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority also has useful information on rights and duties for employers and employees.

Family matters

How can I trace my ancestry?

You might like to start by consulting the Digitial Archives, which is a public service from the National Archives of Norway. They have a link to a document published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled How to trace your ancestors in Norway, by Yngve Nedrebø. You may also contact The Norwegian Emigration Centre for help with genealogy questions.

Where can I find out about my rights as a parent of a young child?

On the Ministry of Children and Equality's web site, you will find a brochure entitled The rights of parents of small children in Norway. This brochure includes information on parental and adoption benefits, leave of absence, support schemes, day care centres and health and social services.

You can find specific information about child support and alimony payments by contacting your local social security office.

The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) is responsible for providing services for children, young people and families in need of assistance and support, for example: family counselling, foster home services, child welfare and adoption.

For employment guidelines about maternity and paternity leave, you may contact the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority . They have an information service you can contact by phone: (+47) 815 48 222, or by e-mail: Svartjenesten@arbeidstilsynet.dep.no.

Who can help me with marriage matters?

If you intend to get married in Norway, you must prove that you are entitled to be married in accordance with the Norwegian Marriage Act .

Both the bride-to-be and bridegroom-to-be must complete a Q-0150 declaration for verification of compliance with conditions for marriage. In addition, the witnesses/sponsors (forlover) for the couple to be married must each complete a Q-0151 statement form. Procedure guidelines are found on the reverse side of the Q-0150 declaration form. Forms may be downloaded from both the Ministry of Children and Equality's web site and the Directorate of Taxes' web site.

All completed forms and other required documentation for verification should be submitted to the local tax assessment office in the municipality of residence of either the bride-to-be or bridegroom-to-be in Norway. These offices are responsible for the National Population Registry (Folkeregisteret) at a local level. If, however, you are not residing in Norway at the time of your application, and you do not have a Norwegian personal identification number, applications for verification are processed centrally by the Office of the National Registrar (Sentralkontor for folkeregistrering) in Oslo. On compliance with the conditions for marriage, you will be sent a certificate of no impediment, which is valid for four months.

Procedures for civil marriage ceremonies in Norway are conducted by a Notary Public. Contact the City Recorder's Office (byfogdembete) or District Court (tingrett) where you intend to get married for details.

For information regarding church weddings, you should contact the parish priest in the diocese where you intend to marry. You can also browse The Church of Norway's web site for information about the order for a wedding in Norway and contact details for parish offices.

Information about getting married outside of Norway may be sought from Norwegian embassies and diplomatic missions based abroad. You can contact them via the web site Norway - the official site. To get married abroad, you normally require a letter of no impediment, which may be obtained from your local tax assessment office responsible for the National Population Register (Folkeregister). On returning to Norway, foreign spouses who have entered Norway with a temporary visa must apply for a residence permit at their local police station.

The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) is the Norwegian governmental office for the welfare and protection of children and families. Subordinate to this office are five regional (Bufetat) offices which assist in family counselling and administrative cases under the Marriage Act.

Health services

Am I authorised to work in the Norwegian health sector?

For the recognition of professional health qualifications, contact SAFH - Norwegian Registration for Health Personnel (Statens autorisasjonskontor for helsepersonell). They give authorisation and advice regarding licences for health care personnel in Norway. Follow the link "professions" in the top menu of their web site for professional qualification requirements.

How do I find a doctor in Norway?

If you are registered in the National Registry (folkeregister) as a resident of a Norwegian municipality you will be assigned a regular GP (fastlege) by your local social security office (trygdekontor). Contact your local social security office for more information, or alternatively call 810 59 500. General information on the "Municipal regular general practitioners (GP) scheme" (fastlege) can be found on the Ministry of Health and Care Services’ web site, or on the National Insurance Administration's website (in Norwegian only).

If your stay in Norway is only temporary and you need medical attention, the municipal service office in the area where you are staying will advise you on which health clinic to contact. Alternatively, a list of health clinics and doctors in listed in the Norwegian Yellow Pages.

To call an ambulance in an emergency, dial 113.

What fees do you have to pay for health treatment in Norway?

When you undergo a health check or receive medical treatment, you are obliged to pay a ‘user fee’ (in Norwegian = egenandel). This fee is paid directly to the health institution that has treated you.

What kind of public dental health care can I receive?

Public dental health services in Norway are organised by the county administrations (fylkeskommuner) in Norway. Under 18 year olds are entitled to free public dental treatment (excluding orthodontic treatment), as are the mentally disabled, chronically ill and people receiving home nursing assistance. Contact your county dentist, via your county administration for more information about who is entitled to free public dental treatment in Norway. Your social security office should also be able to tell you about possible financial assistance for dental treatment. Several of the larger municipalities in Norway have their own emergency dental clinics which are open at weekends and evenings, however many of the smaller municipalities do not, in which case you should contact a dentist directly to ask for emergency treatment. Telephone numbers and addresses can be found in the pink pages of the telephone directory or online in the Yellow Pages

Who is entitled to free medical treatment?

When you are admitted to hospital and are a member of the National Insurance Scheme, you do not pay for treatment, medication or hospital accommodation. Expectant mothers do not pay for any pregnancy check-ups. Children under the age of 12 do not pay any medical user fees, and anyone under the age of 18 who requires psychological help does not have to pay any treatment fees. Fees required for children under the age of 16 may be added to the fees of a parent. If the total amount of fees exceeds the annual upper limit, the child and parent are entitled to a fee exemption card (frikort). Contact your local social security office for more information about health fees and national insurance matters.

Healthy living

Where are you NOT allowed to smoke in Norway?

Smoking is banned in all places that serve food or drinks for consumption, such as restaurants, cafés, discos, bars and pubs. The main purpose of the legislation is to protect employees, as well as guests, from passive smoking. The supervision of the legislation on smokefree restaurants is maintained by municipalities. More information is available from the Department for Tobacco Control and the Ministry of Health and Care Services.

Higher education

How can I apply for a course of study in Norway?

Many study institutions in Norway have specfic study programmes for foreign students. If you wish to study in Norway, you should contact study institutions in Norway directly. A useful web site is Study in Norway.

As a foreign citizen, you are required to have a residence permit to study in Norway. Some study institutions will assist you in obtaining one of these, otherwise you should apply to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) directly. UDI has information on its web pages regarding residence permits for students.

If you already have a Norwegian residence permit, you can apply for a place of study at a Norwegian institution of higher education via the UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admission Services (Samordna opptak). The application deadline for UCAS is 1. March.

How can I get my education recognised in Norway?

Contact NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education); they provide information on the recognition of foreign higher education, on evaluation and accreditation of Norwegian qualifications and a general overview of higher education in Norway.

Jobseekers

Am I authorised to work in the Norwegian health sector?

For the recognition of professional health qualifications, contact SAFH - Norwegian Registration for Health Personnel (Statens autorisasjonskontor for helsepersonell). They give authorisation and advice regarding licences for health care personnel in Norway. Follow the link "professions" in the top menu of their web site for professional qualification requirements.

How can I get my education recognised in Norway?

Contact NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education); they provide information on the recognition of foreign higher education, on evaluation and accreditation of Norwegian qualifications and a general overview of higher education in Norway.

Where can I find information about working in Norway?

The employment services in Norway are called NAV . On our web pages, www.norway.no, you can find an alphabetical list of local employment offices in Norway.

The employment services in Norway, NAV , also provide information about applying for work via Eures (European Employment Services). European job seekers from outside Norway are advised to contact a Eures office in their home country for help in finding work in Norway.

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority also has useful information on rights and duties for employers and employees.

Leisure and recreation

Am I allowed to bring my pet dog/cat into Norway from abroad?

On 1 July 2004, The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) released new guidelines for the Importation of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets to Norway. These new rules are based on the Commission Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, and only apply to pets which are accompanied by their owner or person responsible for them. There must be no intention to sell or transfer any animal.

From EU countries, except Sweden, you are permitted to import your pet animal if it has an identification chip or tattoo, pet passport, has had all necessary vaccinations and is presented to customs on entry to Norway. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority's border veterinarian may be contacted directly by e-mail BIP.Gardermoen@mattilsynet.no, or by phone: (+ 47) 64 82 04 00.

Where can I find a list of public holidays in Norway?

In Statistics Norway's brochure "Minifacts about Norway" you will find a link in the left-hand menu to a web page with details of Official Flag days and public holidays in Norway.

Living together

How do I go about getting a divorce in Norway?

Applications for both separation and divorce licences are made to the County Governor's Office in the county where you live. Details of procedures can be found in The Ministry of Children and Family Affairs' brochure Separation and Divorce.

Who can help me with marriage matters?

If you intend to get married in Norway, you must prove that you are entitled to be married in accordance with the Norwegian Marriage Act .

Both the bride-to-be and bridegroom-to-be must complete a Q-0150 declaration for verification of compliance with conditions for marriage. In addition, the witnesses/sponsors (forlover) for the couple to be married must each complete a Q-0151 statement form. Procedure guidelines are found on the reverse side of the Q-0150 declaration form. Forms may be downloaded from both the Ministry of Children and Equality's web site and the Directorate of Taxes' web site.

All completed forms and other required documentation for verification should be submitted to the local tax assessment office in the municipality of residence of either the bride-to-be or bridegroom-to-be in Norway. These offices are responsible for the National Population Registry (Folkeregisteret) at a local level. If, however, you are not residing in Norway at the time of your application, and you do not have a Norwegian personal identification number, applications for verification are processed centrally by the Office of the National Registrar (Sentralkontor for folkeregistrering) in Oslo. On compliance with the conditions for marriage, you will be sent a certificate of no impediment, which is valid for four months.

Procedures for civil marriage ceremonies in Norway are conducted by a Notary Public. Contact the City Recorder's Office (byfogdembete) or District Court (tingrett) where you intend to get married for details.

For information regarding church weddings, you should contact the parish priest in the diocese where you intend to marry. You can also browse The Church of Norway's web site for information about the order for a wedding in Norway and contact details for parish offices.

Information about getting married outside of Norway may be sought from Norwegian embassies and diplomatic missions based abroad. You can contact them via the web site Norway - the official site. To get married abroad, you normally require a letter of no impediment, which may be obtained from your local tax assessment office responsible for the National Population Register (Folkeregister). On returning to Norway, foreign spouses who have entered Norway with a temporary visa must apply for a residence permit at their local police station.

The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) is the Norwegian governmental office for the welfare and protection of children and families. Subordinate to this office are five regional (Bufetat) offices which assist in family counselling and administrative cases under the Marriage Act.

Moving home

How do I notify a change of address?

You must register your change of address with the National Registry. This is done by completing the relevant form ("Flyttemeldingsskjema") and sending it to your local tax assessment office (Likningskontor).You should also notify the Norwegian postal service, Norway Post.

The National Registry also provides a form for registering your address in Norway if moving to Norway from abroad .

Names and people

How can I find an address or telephone number of someone in Norway?

Contact information for public sector offices can be provided by the Norway.no Help Desk.

Telephone and contact details for private individuals and businesses in Norway may be found via the Yellow Pages web site or by phoning directory enquiries on tel.no: (+ 47) 1881.

How can I trace my ancestry?

You might like to start by consulting the Digitial Archives, which is a public service from the National Archives of Norway. They have a link to a document published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled How to trace your ancestors in Norway, by Yngve Nedrebø. You may also contact The Norwegian Emigration Centre for help with genealogy questions.

How do I go about changing my name?

You must apply to your local tax assessment office (likningskontor), which oversees the National Registry (folkeregisteret). An application form may be downloaded from the Ministry of Justice and the Police's website (only available in Norwegian): Meldingsskjema for navneendring.

Parents and children

Where can I find out about my rights as a parent of a young child?

On the Ministry of Children and Equality's web site, you will find a brochure entitled The rights of parents of small children in Norway. This brochure includes information on parental and adoption benefits, leave of absence, support schemes, day care centres and health and social services.

You can find specific information about child support and alimony payments by contacting your local social security office.

The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) is responsible for providing services for children, young people and families in need of assistance and support, for example: family counselling, foster home services, child welfare and adoption.

For employment guidelines about maternity and paternity leave, you may contact the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority . They have an information service you can contact by phone: (+47) 815 48 222, or by e-mail: Svartjenesten@arbeidstilsynet.dep.no.

Passports and identification

Do I need a visa to enter Norway?

The general rule is that all foreign nationals require a visa to visit Norway. However, there are exceptions to this requirement. The Directorate of Immigration has prepared a web page detailing who does not require a visa. For more information about visas and visa applications, see the Directorate of Immigration's web page on visas. A visa that is issued by a Norwegian authority is a document that shows you are allowed to enter Norway and other Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden) for a period of up to 3 months.

How can I get a D-number?

If your stay in Norway is only temporary and, for example you wish to open a bank account in Norway, you may need a D-number (dummy number). To apply for a dummy number, contact your local tax assessment office. If you are a Norwegian citizen based abroad, you should contact the National Population Registry, which is located at the Midt-Finnmark Tax Assessment Office. If you wish to register a legal business entity, you may apply for a D-number via the Brønnøysund Register Centre (click on the link "Engelsk").

How can I get a personal identification number?

When you register with the National Registry, via your local tax assessment office (likningskontor), you will be awarded an 11 digit identity number (personnummer/fødselsnummer).

Patients

What fees do you have to pay for health treatment in Norway?

When you undergo a health check or receive medical treatment, you are obliged to pay a ‘user fee’ (in Norwegian = egenandel). This fee is paid directly to the health institution that has treated you.

Who is entitled to free medical treatment?

When you are admitted to hospital and are a member of the National Insurance Scheme, you do not pay for treatment, medication or hospital accommodation. Expectant mothers do not pay for any pregnancy check-ups. Children under the age of 12 do not pay any medical user fees, and anyone under the age of 18 who requires psychological help does not have to pay any treatment fees. Fees required for children under the age of 16 may be added to the fees of a parent. If the total amount of fees exceeds the annual upper limit, the child and parent are entitled to a fee exemption card (frikort). Contact your local social security office for more information about health fees and national insurance matters.

Public administration and policy

Where can I get official publications?

Private persons and organisations may order publications directly from individual publishing houses. Official Norwegian reports (NOUs) are available from the official publications section of Akademika . You may contact Akademika by e-mail at: offpubl@akademika.no, or by telephone: (+47) 22 18 81 00.

Schools and education

How can I apply for a course of study in Norway?

Many study institutions in Norway have specfic study programmes for foreign students. If you wish to study in Norway, you should contact study institutions in Norway directly. A useful web site is Study in Norway.

As a foreign citizen, you are required to have a residence permit to study in Norway. Some study institutions will assist you in obtaining one of these, otherwise you should apply to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) directly. UDI has information on its web pages regarding residence permits for students.

If you already have a Norwegian residence permit, you can apply for a place of study at a Norwegian institution of higher education via the UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admission Services (Samordna opptak). The application deadline for UCAS is 1. March.

How can I get my education recognised in Norway?

Contact NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education); they provide information on the recognition of foreign higher education, on evaluation and accreditation of Norwegian qualifications and a general overview of higher education in Norway.

Social security

Am I a member of the National Insurance Scheme (folketrygd)?

Anyone who has been legally living and working in Norway for at least twelve months is normally a member of the National Insurance Scheme. National insurance contributions are deducted from your salary/pension and entitle you to social security and health treatment under Norwegian law. If your stay in Norway is temporary, between 3-12 months, you may apply for voluntary membership by sending an application to your local social security office. Special conditions apply to members of countries that have entered into reciprocal social security agreements with Norway, for example with EEA countries. Contact your local social security office for more information concerning National Insurance membership and contributions.

Society and civic duties

How do I apply for a work or residence permit?

The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) provides information about Norwegian immigration regulations and how to apply for different kinds of residence and work permits in Norway.

If you are already in Norway, you should contact your local police station for advice on application procedures. In Oslo, you should contact the authorities at Grønland politistasjon, Grønlandsleiret 44, N-0190 Oslo. Tel.: +47 22 66 90 50.

From outside Norway, you should contact your nearest Royal Norwegian Embassy or Consulate which is responsible for representing Norwegian affairs abroad. To find a Norwegian authority based abroad, try using Norway - the official site portal.

Where can I find a list of public holidays in Norway?

In Statistics Norway's brochure "Minifacts about Norway" you will find a link in the left-hand menu to a web page with details of Official Flag days and public holidays in Norway.

Where can I find information about Norwegian language classes?

Contact your local municipality for information about language courses in the area where you live in Norway.

In Oslo, the Oslo Adult Education centre has published information about courses for fee-paying and non fee-paying learners of Norwegian. You will also find useful information about rights and duties concerning Norwegian language learning on the velkommenoslo.no web site.

A list of institutions outside Norway, where you can study Norwegian, is available from Study in Norway web site.

Where can I get help in translating Norwegian words, phrases or texts?

For help in translating Norwegian texts, contact the Association of Government Authorized Translators in Norway (STF); they will provide you with an updated list of translators and interpreters. You may contact them by e-mail: post@statsaut-translator.no.
For matters concerning the translation of Norwegian fiction and non-fiction, contact NORLA - Norwegian Literature Abroad. For help with government titles, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' list of translated government titles. For general Norwegian language advice, contact the Norwegian Language Council.

Starting up

Where can I find information about starting my own business?

Bedin, which represents the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has company information, including pages entitled Start-Up Information. You can also call the Narvik Business Hotline for expert advice, tel: (+47) 800 33 840. This service is free of charge unless you are calling from a cell phone or abroad. For information and advice on Norwegian business innovation, internationalisation and promotion, you may contact one of Innovation Norway's international offices or contact the central Innovation Norway office in Norway.

Taxation

What is the allowance for importing duty-free goods into Norway?

Norwegian Customs & Excise provide a summary of customs rules for travellers leaving or entering Norway.

Where can I find information about tourist tax refunds?

Visit Norway has a web page with information about tax-free shopping and links to related web sites.

Where can I find regulations and guidelines for tax payments and income tax returns?

The Norwegian Tax Administration has online brochures outlining tax payment and tax return procedures in Norway. For more advice, contact your local tax assessment office (likningskontor) in Norway. Bedin, which represents the Ministry of Trade and Industry, also provides business information on taxation.

Trade and Industry

Where can I get a list of companies trading within a specific industry in Norway?

Information regarding companies trading within specific industry sectors can be found on the web pages of www.nortrade.com, the Official Norwegian Trade Portal. The Brønnøysund Register Centre oversees The Register of Business Enterprises in Norway. You may contact the centre and order specific company information from them. There is a fee for this service. You may also consult the Norwegian Yellow Pages (Gule Sider) for contact details for specific companies in Norway (select "Choose category" within the search field).

Travel and transport

Where can I find information about ferry transport and timetables for the western fjords of Norway?

Transport information is available from www.visitnorway.com's transportation pages. You can find information for ferries and express boats operating in the fjords between Stavanger, Bergen and Ålesund from the Fjord1 web site.

Where can I find information about the importation and registration of motor vehicles?

Norwegian Customs and Excise provides information concerning the importation and registration of motor vehicles.

Where can I find timetable information for travelling around Norway?

Travel information is available from visitnorway . You can also find information from Rutebok.no - public transport in Norway, a collection of national and regional transport timetables, previously published in paper form. From within Norway, you can also get timetable information for buses, ferries and other transport services in Norway by calling Ruteopplysningen 177 (web pages in Norwegian only) on telephone number: 177.

Travellers

Am I allowed to bring my pet dog/cat into Norway from abroad?

On 1 July 2004, The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) released new guidelines for the Importation of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets to Norway. These new rules are based on the Commission Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, and only apply to pets which are accompanied by their owner or person responsible for them. There must be no intention to sell or transfer any animal.

From EU countries, except Sweden, you are permitted to import your pet animal if it has an identification chip or tattoo, pet passport, has had all necessary vaccinations and is presented to customs on entry to Norway. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority's border veterinarian may be contacted directly by e-mail BIP.Gardermoen@mattilsynet.no, or by phone: (+ 47) 64 82 04 00.

Is my driving licence valid in Norway?

Different rules apply to persons with a driving licence issued in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to those with a driving licence issued outside this area. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) has published information about driving licences valid in EEA and how to apply for a driving licence in Norway.

Where can I find information about toll roads in Norway?

Detailed information about toll roads in Norway is available from the web site Norvegfinans.

Where can I find timetable information for travelling around Norway?

Travel information is available from visitnorway . You can also find information from Rutebok.no - public transport in Norway, a collection of national and regional transport timetables, previously published in paper form. From within Norway, you can also get timetable information for buses, ferries and other transport services in Norway by calling Ruteopplysningen 177 (web pages in Norwegian only) on telephone number: 177.

Where can I get traffic and road information?

The Road User Information Centre (vegtrafikksentral) may be contacted on tel: 175 for information regarding road closures and driving conditions. From abroad call: (+47) 815 48 991. The Norguide - NRDB: National Road Database contains mapping tools to help you plan journeys, calculate distances and find road data.

Vehicles

Is my driving licence valid in Norway?

Different rules apply to persons with a driving licence issued in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to those with a driving licence issued outside this area. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) has published information about driving licences valid in EEA and how to apply for a driving licence in Norway.