Norway
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COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Norway is a highly developed stable democracy with a modern economy. The cost of living in Norway is high and tourist facilities are well developed and widely available. Tourism to Norway is increasing and outdoor activities are popular. English is a popular second language in Norway.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. U.S. citizens may enter Norway for tourist or general business purposes without a visa for up to 90 days.
Since March 2001, Norwegian entry visas are governed by the rules of the Schengen Agreement. Under this agreement, a visa issued for admission to most European Union countries (including non-EU members Norway and Iceland) is also valid for admission to other member countries. EU members Ireland and the United Kingdom have opted not to participate in the Schengen arrangement at this time. Under Schengen visa procedures a tourist is only permitted to spend a total of three months in the “Schengen area” within any six-month period.
Tourists who enter Norway without a visa cannot usually change status in Norway in order to reside or work there. Travelers planning a long-term stay, marriage or employment in Norway should therefore seek the appropriate visa before departing the United States.
CRIME INFORMATION: Norway has a relatively low crime rate. Most crimes involve the theft of personal property. Residential burglaries, auto theft, and vandalism to parked cars can also occur. Most high-end value vehicles, especially in Oslo, have visible alarm system indicators to discourage joy riders or thieves. Persons who appear affluent or disoriented may become targets of pickpockets and purse-snatchers, especially during the peak tourist seasons (May-September). Thieves frequently target tourists in hotels, particularly lobby/reception and restaurant areas. Often such thieves work in pairs, and use distraction as a method to steal purses or briefcases. While passports are frequently stolen in the course of these thefts money, credit cards and jewelry are the actual objects of interest. In some cases stolen passports are recovered. Violent crime, although rare, occurs and appears to be increasing. Some thieves or burglars may have weapons. The phone number for the police in Norway is 112.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are widely available and of high quality, but may be limited outside the larger urban areas. The remote and sparse populations in northern Norway, and the dependency on ferries to cross fjords of western Norway, may affect transportation and ready access to medical facilities. The U.S. Embassy in Oslo maintains a list of emergency clinics in major cities.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD
CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter
road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The
information below concerning Norway is provided for general reference only, and
may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety
of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Availability of roadside assistance: Fair
Public transportation in Norway is generally safe and the maintenance and
condition of urban roads are generally good. Rural road conditions are fair, and
the availability of roadside assistance is limited. The roadway system beyond
Oslo's limits and other major cities tends to be simple two-lane roads. In
mountainous areas of Norway, the roads also tend to be narrow and winding and
there are many tunnels. The northerly latitude can also cause road conditions to
vary greatly depending on weather and time of year. Many mountain roads are
closed due to snow from late fall to late spring. The use of winter tires is
mandatory on all motor vehicles from November to April.
Norwegian law no longer requires that drivers always use their vehicle headlights when driving, but the practice of driving with headlights on is so common that other drivers and pedestrians will verbally counsel drivers who do not have them on. Norwegian law also requires drivers to yield to vehicles coming from the right. In some, but not all, instances major roads with “right of way” are marked. Seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and passengers.
Norway has some of the strictest laws in Europe concerning driving under the influence of alcohol and those laws proscribe heavy penalties for those convicted of even a low blood alcohol level. Frequent road checks with mandatory breathalyzer tests and the promise of stiff jail sentences encourage alcohol-free driving. The maximum legal blood alcohol content level for driving a car in Norway is 0.2 per cent.
Automatic cameras placed by the police along roadways help to maintain speed limits, which are often lower than in other European countries
Currency: Norwegian krone (Nkr). Currency Converter.
Area: 385,155 sq km
Population: 4,513,000
Capital city: Oslo (pop 508,730)
People: 97% Nordic, Alpine & Baltic, with a Sami minority
Language: Bokmål, Nynorsk & Sami
Religion: Christian (86.3% Evangelical Lutheran)
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Average Income: US$30,100
Member of EU: no