Requirement of negative Covid-19 test to enter Norway

“We are now in a situation that demands stronger measures. Europe now has ‘red’ status and the infection development in Norway is not good. We see that imported infection accounts for a high proportion of the infection development in Norway. Consequently, Norwegian authorities will now require that foreign nations coming to Norway present a negative covid-19 test,” says the Minister of Justice and Public Security Monica Mæland.

The requirement to present a negative Covid-19 test certificate comes into effect at midnight (24.00) on Sunday 8 November. This requirement applies to foreign nationals arriving in Norway from countries/areas that necessitate quarantine duty on entry as stipulated in appendix A of the Covid-19 regulations (“red countries”).

Approved test methods are PCR or antigen rapid test. The test must be taken during the last 72 hours before arrival in Norway. The certificate must be in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, English, French or German.

Foreign nationals who cannot document a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival can be refused entry to Norway.

This requirement will apply to most foreign nationals who are not resident in Norway. However, exceptions will include the following:

• foreign nationals who are essential for maintaining safe operations of critical functions in society or the fundamental needs of the Norwegian population, and there is a danger to life and health if entry is refused
• foreign nations who are in transit
• foreign nationals who regularly arrive in Norway from Sweden or Finland to work or study, except for health personnel who have been outside Norway for more than seven days
• asylum seekers and quota refugees
• foreign nationals with a family immigration permit
• diplomatic and consular personnel accredited to Norway
• foreign nationals who have been invited by the Norwegian authorities to participate in international negotiations and similar, and foreign nationals who are part of delegations that are visiting Norway in accordance with Norway’s international obligations
• military personnel arriving in Norway by non-commercial transport

It is emphasized that other requirements for entry to Norway pursuant to the Immigration Act and the regulations must also be met, and foreign nationals must be covered by one of the exceptions from the entry restrictions in order to be granted entry.