The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Norway at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Embassy in Oslo does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizens’ Services unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or location, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided.

Review OSAC’s Norway-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Crime Threats

There is minimal risk from crime in Oslo. Norway has a relatively low level of crime in comparison to the U.S. and most of Western Europe. The total amount of crime reported in Oslo for 2017 decreased from 2016 by 5.6%. Total crime statistics for 2018 were not available at the time of publication.

The majority of the criminal cases reported to the police continue to be theft-related incidents. In Oslo and the other major urban areas, crime centers on the inner city and high-transit areas. Instances of pickpocketing and petty theft are common in the major tourist areas, hotel lobbies, and in the areas around train and transit stations. Most hotels and tourist areas are located within walking distance of Oslo’s higher crime areas, making instances of property crime and/or petty theft more likely to occur.

Thefts are the overwhelming majority of cases reported. There were 94,887 reports of theft in 2017, a 9.8% decrease from the previous year. Violent and weapons-related crimes (including physical/non-physical threats) increased 4.3% from 34,969 reports in 2016 to 36,687 in 2017. These crimes usually occur in areas known to have drug trafficking and gang problems, such as certain parts of Eastern Oslo and elsewhere. Sexual crimes increased the most (11%) from 7,079 reports in 2016 to 7,986 in 2017. Some of the increase in attempted rape and rape statistics is due to of changes to criminal sexual conduct laws.

Organized crime does operate in Norway, but on a small scale. Drug trafficking, petty theft, and home burglary rings typify organized crime, which is often associated within immigrant youth communities or transiting criminal rings from outside of Norway. Reports of crimes involving drugs decreased 6.7%, from 50,293 reports in 2016 to 46,930 in 2017.

Other Areas of Concern

Travel in all areas of Norway is safe. Areas close to and immediately east of the main train station in downtown Oslo have higher instances of open drug use and crime in general, especially at night.

Parks in Oslo, even in “safe” neighborhoods, have been the sites of several sexual assaults and muggings in the past few years. Victims have generally been alone or in small groups, walking late at night in areas without much pedestrian traffic or lighting. Travelers should maintain a low profile.

Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Road Safety and Road Conditions

There is a relative scarcity of freeways, and roads are often narrow with repair projects underway. Despite this, the frequency of traffic accidents is generally low in comparison to Western Europe. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report, Driving Overseas: Best Practices.

Individuals involved in an accident resulting in injury must call the police, and should not move the vehicles before police arrive. Those involved should fill out an accident report, but should not discuss guilt and should not drink alcohol for 12 hours afterward.

Norway has very restrictive laws regarding driving while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. Norwegian law prescribes heavy penalties for even a very low blood alcohol level; .02% is the legal limit. Police checkpoints inspecting drivers under the influence of alcohol are routine, and are often set up in the mornings to catch people who drank heavily the previous night and still have alcohol in their system.

Other Travel Conditions

The climate causes occasional problems for travelers. Mountain roads are narrow and winding. Some mountain roads close from late fall to late spring due to blockage by snowfall or danger of avalanches. Icy road conditions are a concern during the winter. Oslo has lowered speed limits in the city to alleviate winter air pollution. Spring flooding can create traffic delays. Travelers should keep weather conditions in mind when planning any type of travel around Norway.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is moderate risk from terrorism in Oslo. Norway has open borders as part of the Schengen agreement. Those crossing by land from Sweden rarely have to stop or show any identification. Because of the ease of entry, it is possible for any threat that exits in any other part of the Schengen zone to enter Norway. However, there is no information regarding any recognized international terrorist group operating in Norway.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

Anti-U.S. activities in Norway are best characterized as small, planned, and generally peaceful demonstrations, either agitating against a particular U.S. policy or advocating for a particular course of action on the part of the U.S. Government. For instance, demonstrations have focused on the U.S. policy regarding Palestinian and Israeli issues, U.S. actions in Iraq, relations with Cuba, and capital punishment. These protests occur outside the U.S. Embassy or in the central areas of Oslo, and have not targeted U.S. citizens.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

There is minimal risk from civil unrest in Oslo. Norway is a very peaceful nation, and civil unrest is extremely limited. The police in Oslo have greatly increased their training in riot control techniques. While possible, it is unlikely that even riotous protests would escalate to violence. Police monitor and are present at known demonstrations, and specially trained anti-riot officers are present whenever a demonstration might turn violent.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

There are occasional problems with flooding and landslides in certain areas, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

A larger issue is heavy winter snowfall in the mountainous areas.

Drug-related Crimes

Drug problems are increasingly similar to that of other Western European nations. At night, especially during the weekend, open drug use by heroin addicts occurs in downtown Oslo, especially near the main train station. As a result, other types of criminal activity have increased in these areas.

Police Response

The police reliably provide adequate services to foreigners. The police are generally responsive, professional, well trained, and cooperative. Almost all law enforcement personnel speak fluent English. Their emergency response time is good, except in remote areas, and their equipment is excellent. Uniformed police patrol on foot, motorcycle, bicycle, horse, and car. Police usually do not come to the scene of routine non-violent crimes (e.g. non-injury vehicle accidents, residential burglaries). Official corruption is extremely rare and punishable under the law.

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

The legal system is similar to that of the United States. U.S. citizens detained by law enforcement authorities should request immediate notification to the U.S. Embassy. The police cannot hold detained persons for more than four hours without formally charging them with a crime. Free legal advice is available.

Crime Victim Assistance

The police emergency number is 112, and the number for Fire or Major Accident is 110.

U.S. citizens experiencing an emergency should call: +47 2130 8540. An Embassy duty officer is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to handle emergencies.

For local first responders, refer to the Embassy’s Emergency Assistance page.

Police/Security Agencies

The Police counter-terrorism squad consists of specially trained officers who can respond quickly to large-scale emergency situations.

Private security companies are prevalent and perform duties publicly in train stations, shopping malls, and movie theaters. The private security companies are professional, but often suffer high employee turnover rates due to relatively low pay and limited room for advancement. The government must authorize any private security company, and guards must go through prescribed training before they can perform any security guard services.

Medical Emergencies

Emergency medical assistance is widely available. Emergency room care is generally of high quality and, for the most part, equivalent to U.S. standards. The ambulance emergency number is 113.

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

For medical assistance, refer to the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

Available Air Ambulance Services

Air ambulance service, as well as ambulance service by boat (applicable to those in outlying islands), is available. Officials make the determination if/when such ambulance services are warranted.

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

In Oslo and the other large cities, air pollution in the winter months is prevalent (said in large part to be the cause of studded tires on asphalt) and can affect those with asthma or other respiratory problems.

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Norway.

OSAC Country Council Information

There is currently no active Country Council in Oslo. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Europe Team with any questions.

U.S. Embassy Location and Contact Information

Embassy Address and Hours of Operation

The U.S. Embassy in Oslo is located at Morgedalsvegen 36, at Makrellbekken.

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 0800-1700

Embassy Contact Numbers

Operator tel. (47) 2130-8540

Consular Section tel. (47) 2130-8540

Foreign Commercial Service tel. (47) 2130-8834

Website: https://no.usembassy.gov/

Embassy Guidance

U.S. citizens traveling to Norway should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to ensure they receive pertinent security updates and notices.

Additional Resources

Norway Country Information Sheet