Travel Advice for Norway - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
/Advice/Norway?20020904NOThursday, 19 April 2012, 17:07:04, +1000
2012 Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeWhile every care has been taken in preparing this travel
information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its
agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff
abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in
respect of any statement contained therein.
Travel Advice Levels
| Norway overall | Exercise normal safety precautions |
The overall level of the advice has not changed.
The overall level of the advice has not changed.
Summary
We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions in Norway.
Exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Europe. In recent years, terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities, such as Glasgow, London, Madrid and Moscow. Targets have included public transport and transport hubs, and public places frequented by foreigners. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorists in attacking European locations.
The Australian Embassy in Denmark can provide consular assistance to Australians in Norway. Australia has an Honorary Consulate in Norway which can provide limited consular assistance.
Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Norway for the most up to date information.
Norway is a party to the Schengen Convention, along with 24 other European countries, which allows Australians to enter Norway without a visa in some circumstances. See our travel bulletin on the Schengen Convention for further information.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Europe. In recent years, terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities, such as Glasgow, London, Madrid and Moscow. Targets have included public transport and transport hubs, and public places frequented by foreigners. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorists in attacking European locations.
In July 2011, a large explosion occurred in central Oslo and there were shootings at a youth camp in Utoya, an island on the outskirts of the Oslo. A large number of people were killed in these attacks.
Crime
Norway has a low incidence of serious crime. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, is increasingly common, especially during the peak tourist season (May to September). Care should be taken with personal belongings, particularly in crowded areas and locations frequented by tourists, including airports, train stations, hotel lobbies and restaurants.
Sexual assaults against foreigners have occurred in Norway. Australians should exercise normal safety precautions and avoid walking alone in isolated locations, such as parks.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work in Norway.
Norway is not a member of the European Union. Its unit of currency is the Norwegian Kroner and the Euro is not accepted. Foreign-issued debit/credit cards may not be accepted by some outlets in Norway, or may incur a user surcharge fee. Credit card transactions may require the use of a PIN code for identification purposes, not a signature. Some stores in Norway may not accept credit cards that do not have chip and PIN technology.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, electronic equipment, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
Norway's roads are of a high standard but can be dangerous in winter due to icy conditions. Headlights must be on at all times. Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 November to the first Monday after Easter Monday (generally around mid-April). During this period, it is also advisable to carry snow chains in your vehicle if you intend to drive in the mountains. You should take particular care when driving outside urban areas. Rural roads are generally two lane and can be narrow and winding in mountainous regions. To drive in Norway, you must have an International Drivers Permit, which can be issued by associated members of the Australian Automobile Association.
For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Airline safety
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Laws
When you are in Norway, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Assaults, however minor, may attract jail sentences.
Penalties for drink driving and speeding are strict. The blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.02. A reading between 0.02 and 0.07 attracts a heavy fine, and above 0.07 risks a prison sentence.
Drug possession, even in small amounts, is illegal and will lead to heavy fines and/or imprisonment.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money, laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australian overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals
Dual Norwegian/Australian nationality is not recognised in Norway. Australian males who also possess Norwegian citizenship may be subject to national service. We recommend that you travel on your Australian passport at all times.
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Health
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities and care throughout Norway is high and English is widely spoken. Medical treatment is very expensive.
Australia has a reciprocal health care agreement with Norway. The agreement provides Australians with access to immediate emergency medical services but does not provide for ongoing treatment of existing health conditions. The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement does not replace the need for private travel health insurance. See Medicare Australia's website for more information.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Where to get help
Australia has a Consulate in Norway, headed by an Honorary Consul, which can provide limited consular assistance. Contact details for the Honorary Consulate are:
!+++ Australian Honorary Consul
Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA
Strandvn 20 / P.O. Box 33
N-1324 Lysaker
Norway
Tel: +47 67 58 48 48
Fax: +47 67 58 43 80
Email: WW.AU.CONSULATE@wilhelmsen.com
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 12 noon to 3 pm or by appointment.
You can also obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Denmark. Contact details are:
Australian Embassy, Copenhagen
Dampfaergevej 26
2nd floor
2100 Copenhagen Ø
DENMARK
Telephone +45 70 26 36 76
Facsimile +45 70 26 36 86
Email: genenq.cpgn@dfat.gov.au
Web:
www.denmark.embassy.gov.au
If you are travelling to Norway, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above Consulate or Embassy, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
Avalanches and rockslides are a danger in some mountain areas. If you are skiing or mountaineering you should monitor advice on weather and safety conditions and advise local authorities of your plans. It is very dangerous to move off marked slopes or trails.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.