Last update: 12/01/2023
Norway began easing its entry restrictions on September 25, 2021. Currently, travelers from the EU, EEA, and Schengen Area can visit Norway, as well as travelers from the UK and certain other countries.
Norway has implemented a color-coded system for entry requirements and restrictions. Fully vaccinated travelers with valid proof of vaccination (a Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish COVID-19 certificate; an EU digital COVID certificate; an NHS COVID-pass from England and Wales; a COVID certificate from Northern Ireland; or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate from Scotland) can enter Norway from any country and are exempt from testing, quarantining, and completing a travel registration form.
Is Norway Open for Tourists? – Latest Norway Travel Restrictions
Travelers from green and orange countries and areas are also exempt from testing, quarantining, and completing a form, even if they are unvaccinated.
Unvaccinated travelers from red, dark red, and purple countries and areas must submit a travel registration form within 72 hours before entering Norway and take a rapid antigen test on arrival in Norway. They must also quarantine for 10 days from their arrival, although they can end their quarantine early if they obtain a negative PCR test result on or after day 3 of their quarantine period.
Travelers can only enter Norway from grey countries and areas for certain reasons. If they are allowed to enter Norway and are unvaccinated, they must complete and submit a travel registration form within 72 hours before entering Norway. They must also take a rapid antigen test on arrival in Norway and quarantine for 10 days from their arrival. They can end their quarantine early if they obtain a negative PCR test result on or after day 3 of their quarantine period.
Can I travel to Norway right now?
You can travel to Norway from many countries right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Norway at the moment.
NORWAY - EN
- Norway
- Green List
- Red List
- Dark Red List
- Purple List
Norway has reopened borders to tourists from these countries
Green/Orange Countries and Areas
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Red Countries and Areas
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Dark Red Countries
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Purple Countries
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Norway travel ban is in place for these countries
Gray Areas
- All countries outside of the EU/EEA/Schengen Area, Switzerland, UK, and not included on the list of purple countries
*Travelers can travel to Norway from these countries if they have a valid proof of vaccination (a Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish COVID-19 certificate; an EU digital COVID certificate; an NHS COVID-pass from England and Wales; a COVID certificate from Northern Ireland; or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate from Scotland); are an EU/EEA/Schengen Area/UK citizen; are a resident of a purple country; have close family members in Norway; are visiting a long-term romantic partner who resides in Norway; are a student; are a resident of Norway, or another exemption applies. More information on exemptions for entry can be found here.
Norway COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
Norway’s entry requirements depend on your vaccination status and which color country you are traveling from.
If you are fully vaccinated and can provide valid proof of vaccination (a Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish COVID-19 certificate; an EU digital COVID certificate; an NHS COVID-pass from England and Wales; a COVID certificate from Northern Ireland; or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate from Scotland), you are exempt from quarantining on arrival in Norway. You also do not need to complete a travel registration form or get tested on arrival.
If you are traveling from a green or orange country/area, you do not have to quarantine, get tested on arrival, or complete a travel registration form, even if you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
If you are traveling from a red, dark red, or purple country/area and you are unvaccinated, you must complete a travel registration form within 72 hours before entering Norway. You must also take a rapid antigen test on arrival in Norway and wait at the test center until you receive your results.
Norway COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
You will then have to quarantine for 10 days from your arrival at your home, a suitable accommodation, or a quarantine hotel. However, you can end your quarantine early if you take a PCR test three or more days after arrival in Norway and obtain a negative result.
You can only enter Norway from grey countries/areas if you have valid proof of vaccination (a Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish COVID-19 certificate; an EU digital COVID certificate; an NHS COVID-pass from England and Wales; a COVID certificate from Northern Ireland; or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate from Scotland), are an EU/EEA/Schengen Area/UK citizen, are a resident of a purple country, have close family members in Norway, are visiting a long-term romantic partner who resides in Norway, are a student, are a resident of Norway, or another exemption applies. More information on exemptions for entry can be found here.
If you are allowed to enter Norway from a grey area and you are unvaccinated, you must fill in a travel registration form within 72 hours before entering Norway and take a rapid antigen test on arrival. You must then quarantine for 10 days from your arrival at your home, a suitable accommodation, or a quarantine hotel, although you can end your quarantine early if you undergo PCR testing three or more days after arrival in Norway and obtain a negative result.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Norway
Travelers who can provide valid proof of full vaccination or have had COVID-19 within the past six months are exempt from completing a travel registration form, getting tested on arrival, and quarantining.
As proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19, travelers must present a COVID-19 certificate with a QR code. The following COVID-19 certificates are considered valid for entering Norway:
- Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish COVID-19 certificate
- EU digital COVID certificate
- NHS COVID-pass from England and Wales
- COVID certificate from Northern Ireland
- COVID-19 vaccination certificate from Scotland
Travelers are considered fully vaccinated when they have received two doses of a vaccine and more than one week has elapsed since the second dose.
Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Norway?
There’s no requirement to take a PCR test before traveling to Norway, but unvaccinated travelers from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas must undergo rapid antigen testing on arrival in Norway.
Unvaccinated travelers from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas must take their rapid antigen test on arrival in Norway and wait at the test center until they receive their results. If there is no test center at their point of entry or the test center is closed, these travelers must get tested at a public test center in their municipality within 24 hours of entry.
Travelers who can provide valid proof of full vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 and travelers from green and orange areas are exempt from the arrival testing requirement. Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas are also exempt from the arrival testing requirement if it is too difficult for them to get tested.
Unvaccinated travelers from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas can take a PCR test three days or later after their arrival in Norway. If they obtain a negative test result and can provide documentary evidence of that negative result, they can end their 10-day quarantine early.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Norway?
Unvaccinated travelers from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas must quarantine for 10 days from their arrival in Norway.
Travelers from these areas must complete their quarantine at their home, a suitable accommodation (it must be possible to avoid close contact with others and have a private room, private bathroom, and separate kitchen or possibility for serving food), or a quarantine hotel.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Norway?
If travelers wish to end their quarantine early, they can take a PCR test on or after day 3 of their quarantine period. If they obtain a negative test result and can provide documentary evidence of that negative result, they will be allowed to end their 10-day quarantine early.
Travelers who can provide valid proof of full vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 and travelers from green and orange areas are exempt from the quarantine requirement.
Unvaccinated children under the age of 18 from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas are also exempt from the quarantine requirement, but they should take a PCR test three days after arriving in Norway.
Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Norway
It is not an entry requirement to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Norway, but it is always much safer to have medical- and travel-related coverage when you travel.
Heymondo is an excellent choice for travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. Their policies offer extensive coverage, particularly for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad, at an affordable price. You can even save 5% on Heymondo insurance with the discount link below.
Other travel restrictions for Norway during COVID-19
Norway has implemented a few other travel restrictions:
- Unvaccinated travelers from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas who are over the age of 16 must complete a travel registration form within 72 hours before entering Norway.
- Unvaccinated travelers from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas will undergo rapid antigen testing on arrival in Norway.
- Face masks are required on flights and in airports.
- Social distancing rules must be observed.
- You may need a tourist visa to visit Norway. Check if you need one below.
What’s open in Norway
Norway has recently lifted restrictions on social distancing and capacity limits, so there’s plenty to do and see right now. Hotels, attractions, and restaurants are all open at full capacity, and Oslo Airport is open for international flights. Keep in mind that regions and municipalities may have their own regulations in place.
Hotels that are open in Norway
You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a great place to stay because hotels and accommodations in Norway are open right now.
Hotels that are open in Norway
If you are required to quarantine, you must quarantine at your home, a suitable accommodation, or a quarantine hotel. Suitable accommodations are ones where you can avoid close contact with others and have a private room, private bathroom, and separate kitchen or option for serving food. A list of quarantine hotels is available here.
These are our favorite places to stay in Norway:
- Smarthotel Oslo
- Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen
- Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel, Stavanger
- Smarthotel Tromsø
Hotels are open at full capacity. Guests should clean their hands frequently and get tested if they have any respiratory symptoms.
More information on hotel regulations is available here.
Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Norway
Norway’s attractions are open for visitors, including museums and fjords, and tours are operating.
Attractions are open at full capacity, but it may still be a good idea to book tickets in advance if you need them. Visitors should clean their hands frequently and stay home if they have any symptoms of COVID-19.
These are some of the top activities in Norway:
- Oslo Fjord Sightseeing Cruise
- Tromsø: Whale-Watching Tour
- Tromsø: 5-Hour All-Inclusive Wildlife & Bird Fjord Cruise
- Tromsø: All Inclusive Northern Lights Chase Minibus Tour
More details on attraction regulations can be found here.
Restaurants that are open in Norway
Restaurants in Norway are currently open at full capacity, so you won’t have to worry about finding a table.
Restaurants that are open in Norway
Restaurants can now stay open past midnight, and drinks can be served anywhere, not just at tables.
More information on restaurants’ regulations is available here.
Airports that are open in Norway
Norway’s main international airport, Oslo Gardermoen, is open and commercial flights are operating.
Travelers must wear masks in the airport and social distance.
Where to get a PCR test in Norway – COVID-19 testing in Norway
Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Norway, you can find more information on getting tested here.
Norway reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.
Check out these FAQs related to Norway reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.
Can I travel to Norway right now?
Yes, you can travel to Norway from EU, EEA, and Schengen Area countries, as well as from the UK and purple countries. You can only travel from grey areas if you are fully vaccinated or another exemption applies.
Is it safe to travel to Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic?
There are currently 105,000+ active cases and 800+ deaths due to COVID-19 in Norway as of today. The CDC classifies travel to Norway as “Level 4- Very High Risk.” If you have a pre-existing condition or any health condition that could increase your chances of serious illness, do not travel to Norway. Additionally, if you are unvaccinated, you should reconsider traveling to Norway.
Is there a travel ban in Norway?
Yes, travelers from grey areas can only enter Norway if they are fully vaccinated, are an EU/EEA/Schengen Area/UK citizen; are a resident of Norway, or another exemption applies. More information on exemptions for entry can be found here.
Is quarantine required to visit Norway?
Yes, unvaccinated travelers from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas must quarantine for 10 days from their arrival in Norway. They must complete their quarantine at their home, a suitable accommodation, or a quarantine hotel. If travelers wish to end their quarantine early, they can take a PCR test on or after day 3 of their quarantine period; they will be allowed to end their quarantine if they obtain a negative test result.
Do you need a PCR COVID-19 test to travel to Norway?
No, you don’t need to take a PCR test before you travel to Norway, but unvaccinated travelers from red, dark red, purple, and grey areas must undergo rapid antigen testing on arrival in Norway. These same travelers can also take a PCR test on or after day 3 of their quarantine period if they want to end their quarantine early.
Is a curfew in place?
No, there is currently no curfew in Norway.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interregional travel?
No, there are currently no restrictions on intercity or interregional travel.
Are hotels open in Norway?
Yes, hotels in Norway are open.
Are airports open in Norway?
Yes, Norway’s main international airport, Oslo Gardermoen, is open.
Are restaurants open in Norway?
Yes, Norway’s restaurants are open at full capacity.
Are attractions open in Norway?
Yes, attractions are open in Norway right now.
Is Norway open to American tourists?
No, the US is considered a grey country, so Americans can only visit Norway if they qualify for an exemption.
Is Norway open to Canadian tourists?
No, since Canada is considered a grey area, Canadians can only enter Norway if they qualify for an exemption.
Sources
We will update this guide on Norway reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Norway, you can check these official sources:
- US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Norway
- CDC Travel Recommendations for Norway
- General Norway Travel Advisory
- Information on Norway’s Current Entry Requirements
- Quarantine and Arrival Rules for Norway
- Exemptions for Entry to Norway
- FAQ about Entering Norway
- Current Restrictions within Norway
- List of Quarantine Hotels
- Travel Registration Form
- Information on the EU Digital COVID Certificate
- Information on Testing in Norway
