In Norway, the healthcare system has three main levels:

• Fastlege: Your general practitioner (GP)
• Legevakt: The out-of-hours medical service (116 117) - the number is toll free
• Nødetat: Emergency services (113) - the number is toll free

In most cases, your GP is your first point of contact. You have the right to receive information about your health in a language you understand, for example by using an interpreter (Tolk). 

If you are registered as a resident in Norway, you have the right to a general practitioner (GP). Your GP is your main contact for:

• Health concerns and check-ups
• Prescriptions
• Referrals to specialists

You can also talk to your fastlege if you are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health challenges. They can help directly or refer you to other services.

You can contact your GP during opening hours. Some GP offices offer same-day appointments if needed. You can find and manage your GP here.

If you are not registered as a resident, you can find information about your health rights in Norway here.

If you need urgent medical help when your GP-office is closed, you can contact the out-of-hours medical service. For residents of Gjesdal, the out-of-hours service is located in Sandnes and is open 24/7.

Phone: 116 117

You should call before you go. A nurse will evaluate whether an appointment is needed and/or give advice. When you arrive, you should always check in with the staff. A nurse will assess your situation and how urgent it is. Patients with the most serious conditions are helped first. If you have to wait, it is because others need more urgent care.

If you are prescribed medication at the out-of-hours service, you will need to collect it yourself from a pharmacy. The out-of-hours service does not provide medication directly. You can search online to find nearby pharmacies and check their opening hours. Alternatively, there is a pharmacy in Stavanger that is open in the evenings, on weekends, and on public holidays.

Vitusapotek Løven Stavanger
Olav V gate 11, 4005 Stavanger
Phone: 51 91 08 80

Most health services require a small user fee. When you have paid above a certain amount in a year, you will receive an exemption or “free card” (frikort). After this, you do not pay user fees for the rest of the year.

Some people may be exempt from paying these fees, such as children under 16 or patients with approved occupational injuries. 

You can find more information about user fees here.

Healthcare workers in Norway have a duty of confidentiality (“taushetsplikt”). This means that personal information shared with doctors, nurses, psychologists, and other healthcare staff is protected and cannot normally be shared with others without permission.

For children and youth, parents usually have the right to receive information about their child’s health. However, the child’s right to privacy becomes stronger as they grow older.

• 0–12 years: Parents normally have full access to the child’s health information.
• 12–16 years: The child’s opinions and wishes become more important. In some situations, healthcare workers may choose not to share certain information with parents.
• 16 years and older: Youth are usually considered able to make their own health decisions. Parents normally cannot receive health information without the young person’s consent.

Helsenorge.no is the main digital service for health in Norway. Here you can:

• Find your GP
• Book appointments
• Renew prescriptions
• Get information about your health rights

• The "Hjelp 113" app - Norsk Luftambulanse An emergency app is available with quick access to emergency numbers, location sharing and information about nearby defibrillators.
• Lege og helsetilbud - Gjesdal kommune