Fastlege — how to choose a general practitioner in Norway

Introduction / Who is it for

In Norway, every resident with a fødselsnummer has the right to a free fastlege (general practitioner) funded by the state. The fastlege is the first point of contact and refers patients to specialists. This system is called Fastlegeordningen.

Who can have a fastlege

• Individuals with a fødselsnummer (residents for 6+ months)
• Individuals with a D-nummer working in Norway (after registering with Helfo)
• Students in long-term studies
• EHIC holders from the EU — access in emergencies, but no permanent fastlege

How to choose a fastlege

1. Go to helsenorge.no — log in using BankID
2. Select "Bytte fastlege" (change doctor)
3. Search for doctors in your municipality — the list shows:
   • Doctor's name
   • Office address
   • Language (some speak Polish/English — filter accordingly)
   • Number of available spots (waiting list)
   • Date of the next available appointment
4. Click "Bytte" — the change takes effect immediately
5. You can change your fastlege up to 2 times a year

What if you don't have BankID

You can register by phone by calling 800 43 573 (Helfo) or in person at your local Helfo office.

Costs of visits (as of 2026)

• Consultation with fastlege — 248 NOK (first time during working hours)
• Home visit — 247 NOK + travel fee
• Telephone consultation / e-consultation — 158 NOK
• Visit outside of hours (evening, weekend) — 248-300 NOK
• Specialist referral — 388 NOK

Egenandel (co-payment)

The Norwegian system includes "egenandel" — meaning the patient pays a fixed rate for a visit. After reaching the annual threshold (frikort, 2,932 NOK in 2026), all subsequent visits are free for the rest of the year.

Who does NOT pay egenandel

• Children under 16 years — all visits are free
• Pregnant women — gynecological visits are free
• Individuals with occupational diseases — free of charge
• Holders of frikort — after reaching the threshold

What fastlege covers

• Routine and follow-up visits
• Referrals to specialists
• Prescriptions for medications
• Basic psychological assistance (PHN)
• Preventive examinations
• Vaccinations (some free — children, COVID, occupational risk)
• Health certificates (e.g., for employers)

Step by step: emergency visit

1. Call the fastlege's office in the morning (8-9) — most have "akuttime" (urgent visit) available for the same day
2. If the fastlege has no available appointments — call 116 117 (legevakt, emergency care)
3. Life-threatening condition — call 113 (ambulance)

Prescriptions

• Norwegian prescriptions are electronic (e-resept) — the fastlege sends them to the system, and you can pick them up at any pharmacy
• Routine medications (for chronic illness): discounts on blå resept (blue prescription)
• Over-the-counter medications: full price
• Pharmacies: Vitusapotek, Apotek 1, Boots Apotek — all support e-resept

Common mistakes

• Waiting for akuttime until the afternoon — appointments disappear in the morning
• Going to legevakt (expensive system) for minor issues instead of visiting fastlege
• Not applying for frikort — the system usually issues it automatically, but check
• Paying at the dentist expecting reimbursement — dentistry is NOT covered by the system for adults
• Not reporting a change of address — a fastlege from another municipality may be unavailable

Dentist — note

Dentistry in Norway is NOT covered by the public system for adults. A visit to a private dentist: 800-2,500 NOK for a check-up; root canal treatment: 5,000-10,000 NOK. Children under 18 receive free dental care at public clinics (Den offentlige tannhelsetjenesten).