How to Find a GP in Norway

Published July 11, 2026 · 5 min read

Les denne artikkelen på norsk →

Everyone registered in Norway has the legal right to a personal GP, known as a fastlege in Norwegian. But navigating the system can be confusing, especially if you're new to Norway. This guide walks you through everything you need to know.

What is a fastlege?

A fastlege (literally "regular doctor" or "fixed doctor") is your dedicated general practitioner in Norway's primary healthcare system. They maintain your medical history, handle referrals to specialists, issue sick notes, and coordinate your overall care. Think of them as your long-term healthcare partner.

The GP scheme (fastlegeordningen) is a cornerstone of the Norwegian welfare state and is regulated by law. Municipalities are legally obligated to ensure every resident has access to a GP, though doctor shortages in some areas can make this challenging in practice.

Who is entitled to a GP in Norway?

You are entitled to register with a GP if you are registered in the Norwegian Population Register (Folkeregisteret). This typically includes:

• Norwegian citizens living in Norway
• EEA/EU citizens with a valid residence permit
• Foreign nationals with a residence permit of more than 6 months
• Refugees and asylum seekers granted protection

Tourists, short-term visitors, and international students without a permanent Norwegian address are not entitled to a GP but can use emergency care (legevakt) when needed.

Step-by-step: How to register with a GP

Step 1 – Log in to Helsenorge.no

Go to the "Bytte fastlege" (Change GP) service on helsenorge.no, the official Norwegian health portal. You can search without logging in. To change GP, you log in with BankID or another electronic ID.

Step 2 – Search for available GPs

You can search for GPs in your municipality or a nearby one, without logging in, by municipality, clinic or doctor's name. DinLos shows the same figures from Helsenorge, plus how the waiting list for each GP has changed over time and which GPs with open lists are closest to your address.

Step 3 – Confirm your choice

Once you select a GP, confirm your choice on Helsenorge.no. You'll receive a confirmation, and the change takes effect from the first day of the following month. Until then, you retain your right to your current GP.

What does a GP visit cost?

Once you have paid NOK 3,278 in co-payments in 2026, you receive a frikort (exemption card), and further consultations covered by the scheme are free for the rest of the year.

What if there are no available GPs?

GP shortages are a real issue in many Norwegian municipalities, particularly in rural areas. If no GP in your municipality has an open list, you still have options:

1. Contact your municipality. The municipality is legally responsible for ensuring your access to a GP. Call the local health administration and request assistance.
2. Ask to be waitlisted. Many GP practices maintain informal waiting lists. Contact clinics directly and ask to be added.
3. Look in a neighbouring municipality. You are legally allowed to choose a GP in a different municipality. Availability is often better in larger towns nearby.
4. Use the emergency GP service (legevakt). Available 24/7 for acute needs, regardless of whether you have a registered GP.
5. File a complaint with the County Governor. If your right to a GP is not met, you can complain to the Statsforvalter (County Governor). The complaint is sent to the municipality, and the deadline is four weeks.

Changing your GP

Common reasons to change GPs include moving to a new address, dissatisfaction with your current doctor, wanting a GP of a specific gender, or simply wanting someone closer to home or work. The process is identical to your initial registration, simply log in to Helsenorge.no and make the switch.

Changes take effect on the first day of the month following your request, and you can only do it twice a year. If you have exhausted your two annual switches, you must wait until the next calendar year unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Tips for expats and international residents

If you are new to Norway, registering with a GP should be one of your first steps after being registered as resident in a Norwegian municipality in the National Population Register (Folkeregisteret). That is what gives you the right to a GP. With only a D-number you generally do not have that right; asylum seekers with a D-number and their families are an exception.

Some GPs speak English. Neither Helsenorge nor DinLos can search by the languages a doctor speaks, so ask the clinic. If you need an interpreter, you are entitled to one free of charge, and the doctor books it.

Sources

• Helfo and Helsenorge: Changing your regular doctor. Number of changes per year, waiting lists, when a change takes effect and the order of allocation. Last updated 12 August 2025.
• Helsenorge: Change GP. The GP search is available without logging in, and in English. Changing GP requires logging in. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
• Helsenorge: The right to a doctor. Retten til fastlege gjelder dem som er registrert som bosatt i Folkeregisteret. Personer med D-nummer har ikke rett til fastlege, unntatt asylsøkere med D-nummer og familiene deres. Hentet 17. oktober 2026.
• Helfo og Helsenorge: Egenandel hos lege. Gjeldende egenandeler hos allmennlege og legevakt, og hvem som slipper å betale. Sist oppdatert 1. januar 2026, med satsene som gjelder i år.
• Lovdata: Pasient- og brukerrettighetsloven. § 2-1c, retten til fastlege for alle som er folkeregistrert i en norsk kommune. LOV-1999-07-02-63, gjeldende lov.
• Lovdata: Pasient- og brukerrettighetsloven kapittel 7, klage. Klage til Statsforvalteren (§ 7-2), anmodning om tilsyn (§ 7-4) og klagefristen på fire uker (§ 7-5). Gjeldende lov.
• Helsenorge: Tolk i helsetjenesten (interpreters, in Norwegian). Who is entitled to an interpreter, that it is free, and that the health service arranges it. Last updated 29 January 2025.

This article was written with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Last verified 17 October 2026. If something looks wrong, tell us at hei@dinlos.no and we will correct it.

This article provides general information about the Norwegian GP scheme, not medical or legal advice. Rules, rates and waiting times change. For binding information about your own situation, see helsenorge.no or contact Helfo.