Health Care in Norway

Pensions in Norway

One more thing worth attention, before we move on to discussing health care in Norway, is the pension issue. If you are a pensioner, you need to inform the IPC (International Pension Centre) to prevent problems with your pension payments (tel. 0191 218 7777).

Norway has double taxation agreements with the UK so you will not be taxed twice, provided you ensure that the tax offices are aware of your circumstances. You can arrange to have your pension paid directly into your Norwegian bank account. While still benefiting from the increases as if you still lived in Britain. Contact HMRC and your pension providers well before you leave the UK.

If you’ve only worked, lived or are working abroad then you must claim the State Pension through the relevant authority of the country where you currently live and have worked in.

Health Care in Norway

Norway has an excellent healthcare system. The regional authorities run the public hospitals, funded from the taxes, where treatment is free. There are also a few private clinics.

To be part of the national insurance scheme you must be a legal resident of Norway, and pay your contributions with your taxes. If you are registered with the national population register you will be assigned a GP by the Norwegian Health Economics Administration (HELFO) (http://www.helfo.no). This as an excellent site with all the information you need.

If you receive a UK state retirement pension or long-term incapacity benefit, you may be entitled to state-funded healthcare paid for by the UK. You’ll need to apply for form E121 from the International Pension Centre (tel:  0191 218 7777). You need to register your E121 with the National Office for Social Insurance Abroad on +47 23 31 1300. This entitles you to an EHIC issued by the UK which, as a result allows you access to medical care. It works in both Norway and other EEA countries, including Britain.

You would be wise to KEEP YOUR OWN ACCURATE AND DETAILED RECORDS! One good thing for us is that many doctors speak rather good English and are happy to practice it.

The NHS website gives excellent advice and up-to-date information:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad

Check the prices of removals to Norway.