Healthcare in Vestfold

Norway’s health care system is universal, taxfunded, and designed to give everyone access to necessary medical care, regardless of income or where they live. 

Everyone gets assigned a personal general practitioner (GP) called a ‘fastlege,’ who helps with most health issues and provides referrals to specialists. Your GP is your first point of contact for most health issues and prescriptions. You pay a small fee for each visit, but once you reach a yearly limit, the rest is free.  

You are entitled to a fastlege if you have a National ID Number and are registered as a resident in a Norwegian municipality.

What if I have a D-number? If you have a D-number, you are generally not entitled to a fastlege. However, you can still receive necessary medical care. You can contact a local GP’s office and request an appointment, which you will have to pay for, or you can use a private drop-in clinic.

How to register: Once you have your National ID Number, you can register for a GP on the official healthcare portal, HelseNorge.no.

• Log in using your BankID.
• Find the “Fastlege” section and choose a GP from the list of doctors with open patient lists.
• You can change your GP twice per calendar year.
• The change takes effect on the first day of the next month.

A small fee for each doctor’s visit, which is typically between NOK XXX for a daytime consultation with a GP (as of 2025). The fee is higher for evening appointments or home visits.

The “Frikort”: You will be issued a “frikort” (exemption card) once you have paid a certain amount in user fees within a calendar year (the “egenandelstak”). Once you have your frikort, you will not have to pay for further medical services that year. The fees are automatically registered under your name.

Norway has three main emergency numbers: 

• 110 for fire 

• 112 for police 

• 113 for medical emergencies (ambulance) 

Most hospital care is referral-based, meaning you need a referral from your GP to see a specialist or get hospital treatment.

Vestfold Hospital Trust (Sykehuset i Vestfold): This is the primary hospital in the region, with its main facility located in Tønsberg. The hospital also has departments in Larvik and Sandefjord and a pain clinic in Horten.

What to expect: If you are admitted to a hospital and are a member of the National Insurance Scheme, you do not pay for treatment, medicine, or your stay.

Mental Health: You can seek mental health support through your GP. In Vestfold, there are also specialized mental health services (DPS) in the municipalities. The Mental Helse Helpline at 116 123 is a free, 24/7, and anonymous service.

Resources: Your local Vestfold muncipality website

Dental Care: Children and youth under 18 receive free public dental treatment. Most adults have to pay for their own dental expenses. You choose your own dentist (“tannlege”).

Pregnancy and Child Health: Expectant mothers do not pay for any pregnancy check-ups. The local health centers (“helsestasjon”) provide free health services and check-ups for babies and children up to school age.