Given the country’s famed welfare state and social security safety net, one might assume healthcare in Norway is completely free, but this isn’t quite the case.

Instead, healthcare in the country is heavily subsidised, and patients pay fees when using the public health system. These costs are called eigendelar or user fees.

Some therapists, such as physiotherapists, will also have agreements in place that allow patients to pay fees rather than the full healthcare cost.

Patients’ healthcare costs are capped. After spending more than 3,165 kroner in approved healthcare costs, patients are issued an “exemption card,” which entitles them to free treatment.

However, some outpatient clinics can charge “patient fees”, or pasientbetaling. These fees do not count towards the user fees and can be charged even if you have an exemption card.

Norway also has a private healthcare system, and this is obviously more costly than the public healthcare system.

Doctor’s appointments

One of the most basic healthcare costs is a doctor’s appointment, which will cost between 179 and 301 kroner, as evening appointments are more costly.

Online appointments cost 179 kroner regardless of the time. Opting to go private for a doctor’s appointment will cost anywhere from 700 to 900 kroner.

GP appointments, where the doctor specialises in general medicine, cost 235 kroner when using the public health system. Appointments can cost up to 425 kroner to have a specialist GP visit you in the evening.

Meanwhile, a consultation with a specialist costs 403 kroner.

You can also be charged additional costs while visiting a GP. For example, a lab test, such as blood work, costs 64 kroner, while an X-ray costs 287 kroner.

A sick note, which employers can ask workers for after three working days of sick, or a referral to a specialist costs 64 kroner.

READ ALSO: How long can you take off work without a sick note in Norway?

More information on GP costs can be found on the website of Norway’s digital health portal, Helsenorge.

Some basic costs are not subsidised. These include expenses for dressings and bandages and the printing and issuance of medical certificates.

Hospitals

When being examined in an out-of-hours emergency room, a doctor’s visit costs between 240 and 425 kroner.

However, in-patient treatment at Norwegian hospitals is free of charge to all. Emergency transportation is also free. Non-emergency transportation does come with costs, however.

Examinations, treatments and specialist checkups cost 403 kroner at an outpatient clinic, while an X-ray or ultrasound costs 287 kroner.

Other kinds of healthcare

If you access a psychologist through the public health service, you can expect to pay 403 kroner for a session. Longer sessions cost more, and a three-hour session costs 1,209 kroner. Group therapy is also an option and is cheaper for longer sessions.

Physios charges 201 kroner for a 30-minute examination, and an ultrasound costs 103 kroner. Prices with a physiotherapist start from 144 kroner, with a 46 kroner charge for every ten minutes after the first 20.

Prescriptions

You also pay for prescriptions and medicine in Norway.

Those with long-term prescriptions are issued “blue prescriptions”. If you are issued a blue prescription, you will be expected to pay 50 percent of the cost of medication. However, there is a cap on prescription costs.

Blue prescription holders will pay a maximum of 520 kroner for a three-month supply of their medication. This means prescription fees in Norway can total more than 2,000 kroner a year for those with a long-term prescription.

Exemption cardholders do not need to pay for prescriptions, though.

What about foreigners?

Foreign residents in Norway who are entered into the National Insurance Scheme have the same healthcare rights as Norwegians, so will pay the above costs for treatments.

Tourists from the EEA with a valid EHIC card have the right to access to healthcare and will pay the same healthcare user fees as residents and citizens of Norway.

Those on holiday from countries outside the EU/EEA are entitled to emergency care, but you will likely not be entitled to subsidised healthcare. For that reason, Helsenorge advises you to take out health insurance. Your home country may cover the medical costs, however this isn’t guaranteed.