This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional
Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain
baseline knowledge of security conditions in Norway. For more in-depth
information, review OSAC’s country-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.
Travel Advisory
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. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Overall Crime and
Safety Situation
Crime Threats
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Oslo as being a LOW-threat location for
crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Norway has a
relatively low level of crime in comparison to the U.S. and Western European
countries with large populations. The amount of total crimes reported
in Norway for 2018 decreased 0.2% from 2017. Total
crime statistics for 2019 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 focuses
in the inner city and high transit areas. Tourists and other short-term
visitors should be aware that 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. Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels: The Inns and
Outs and Considerations for
Hotel Security.
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. Review OSAC’s report, All That You Should Leave Behind.
Organized crime does exist, 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 from 46,930 reports in 2017 to
45,699 reports in 2018, a decrease of 2.6%.
Thefts are the overwhelming majority of
cases reported. Overall, there were 92,866 reports of theft in
2018, a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. Violent and
weapons-related crimes (including physical/non-physical threats) increased from
36,687 reports in 2017 to 37,461 reports in 2018, an increase of 2.1%.
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 saw an increase from 7,986 reports in
2017 to 8,386 reports in 2018, an increase of 5%. The rise
in reports relates in some extent to recent changes in criminal
sexual conduct laws, which resulted in an
increase in documented attempted rape and rape statistics.
Parks in Oslo, even in safer neighborhoods, have been the sites of
several sexual assaults and muggings in the past few years. Targeted individuals
have generally been either alone or in small groups, walking late at night in
areas without much pedestrian traffic or ambient light.
U.S. nationals should make every effort to maintain a low profile and
should avoid wearing items that draw attention to themselves. Review the
State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.
Transportation-Safety
Situation
Road Safety and
Road Conditions
There is a relative scarcity of freeways, and the roads are often
narrow with repair projects underway. Despite this, the frequency of
traffic accidents is generally low in comparison to Western Europe.
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 six 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 for drivers under the influence of alcohol are routine
and often appear in the mornings to catch people who drank heavily the previous
night and still have alcohol in their system.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best
Practices, and Evasive Driving
Techniques; and read the State Department’s
webpage on driving
and road safety abroad.
Public
Transportation Conditions
Transportation of all forms is generally reliable and safe.
Other Travel
Conditions
The climate causes occasional problems for travel. 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. Keep weather
conditions in mind when planning any type of travel around Norway.
Terrorism Threat
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Oslo as being a MEDIUM-threat location
for terrorist activity directed at or affecting official U.S. government
interests.
Local, Regional,
and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns
Norway has open borders as part of the Schengen agreement. Those
crossing by land between Sweden and Norway 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, no
recognized international terrorist group is known to operate in Norway.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western
Sentiment
Anti-U.S. activities can best be characterized as small, planned, and
generally peaceful demonstrations, either against a particular U.S. policy or
advocating that a particular course of action be taken by 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 in the United States. These protests have
generally occurred outside the U.S. Embassy or in the central areas of Oslo,
and have not targeted U.S. nationals.
Political, Economic, Religious,
and Ethnic Violence
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Oslo as being a LOW-threat
location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government
interests.
Civil Unrest
Norway is a very peaceful nation, and civil unrest is extremely
limited. The police in Oslo have greatly increased the training of their
officers in riot control techniques. While possible, it is unlikely
that riotous protests would escalate to a point of violence. Police
are present at and monitor all known demonstrations, and specially trained
anti-riot officers are present whenever a demonstration might turn
violent. There is no threat from war and/or civil unrest. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
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 becoming similar to other Western
European nations. At night, especially during the weekend, one can see open
drug use by heroin addicts in downtown Oslo, especially near the main train
station. As a result, other types of criminal activity have increased in these
areas. There are no known issues with narcoterrorism.
Personal Identity Concerns
Norway was one of the first
countries in the world to enact anti-discrimination laws explicitly including
sexual orientation. Norway is one of the world's most LGBT-friendly nations,
with high societal acceptance and tolerance of the LGBTI+ community. The Norwegian
public has very high levels of support for same-sex marriage. Review the State
Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+
travelers.
While in Norway, individuals with disabilities may find
accessibility and accommodation very different from that in the United States. Review
the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers
with disabilities.
- Oslo
Gardermoen International Airport (OSL) is accessible to wheelchair users
and the staff is very helpful with accessibility issues.
- The
Oslo subway/light-rail system (T-banen) has above-average wheelchair
accessibility.
- Taxis
drivers are generally helpful in assisting wheelchair users. It is
possible to order taxis with wheelchair lifts.
- From December to March, it is
extremely difficult for wheelchair users to navigate Oslo’s streets
without assistance due to snow and ice.
- Shopping
malls, hotels, public buildings, and most modern structures will have
handicap accessible toilets.
- Fewer
than half of the restaurants in Norway are wheelchair accessible and many
have restrooms located up or down a flight of stairs.
- Many modern public structures, such as
shopping centers, substitute inclined moving walkways/ramps for elevators,
which are difficult for wheelchair users to use safely.
Police Response
The police emergency line in Norway is 112.
For fire or major Accident, the number is 110. For non-emergencies, call 02800. Download the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Foreign travelers can count on the police to provide adequate services.
The police are generally responsive, professional, and cooperative.
Law enforcement personnel have excellent training, and almost all 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 (non-injury vehicle accidents, residential burglaries).
Official corruption is extremely rare and is punishable under the law.
The legal system is similar to that of the United States. Detained U.S.
nationals should request immediate notification to the U.S. Embassy Oslo. Persons
cannot be detained for more than four hours without being formally charged with
a crime. Free legal advice is available.
Police have a counter-terrorism squad, which consists of specially
trained officers who can respond quickly to large-scale emergencies.
Private security companies are prevalent and perform duties 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 employee 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, and emergency room
care is generally of high quality and for the most part equivalent to U.S.
standards. The ambulance emergency number is 113.
All public Urgent Care facilities in Norway have the same number,
which automatically routes the caller to the closest facility: 116117.
Air ambulance service, as well as ambulance service by boat
(applicable to those in outlying islands) is available. After you call the
medical emergency number, officials will determine the necessity of such services. Find contact information for available medical services and
available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website.
The U.S. Department of State strongly
recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling
internationally. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance
overseas.
Country-specific Vaccination and
Health Guidance
In Oslo and in other large cities, air pollution in the winter months
is prevalent (largely caused by the use of studded tires on the 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 Norway. Contact OSAC’s
Europe team for more information.
U.S. Embassy Contact
Information
U.S.
Embassy in Oslo is located at Morgedalsvegen 36, at Makrellbekken
Hours
of Operation: Mon-Fri, 0800-1700
Tel:
+(47) 2130-8540; Consular: +(47)
2130-8540; Emergency after-hours: +(47) 2130-8540
Website: https://no.usembassy.gov/
Helpful Information
Before you travel, consider the following
resources:
