Whether it’s for checking your prescriptions, reviewing test results, or messaging your doctor, the national health portal ‘Helsenorge’ has become an essential part of everyday life for residents navigating the country’s digital healthcare system.
But if you're new to Norway, the platform can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you don’t yet speak fluent Norwegian.
When relocating, understanding how healthcare works in Norway is essential. Being able to access your information online is a big help.
The good news is that Helsenorge is available in English and is increasingly user-friendly once you understand what it offers and how to access it. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of Helsenorge.
What Is Helsenorge?
Helsenorge (literally “Health Norway”) is the official online portal for health-related services in Norway.
Developed by the Directorate of e-Health, it allows residents to access their personal health information, communicate with healthcare providers, manage appointments, and keep track of prescriptions, vaccinations, and medical records — all in one place.
The portal is part of the government’s wider strategy to make public services more digital, more efficient, and more accessible. Importantly, it gives individuals greater control over their own health data and how it's used.
Logging In and Getting Access
To use Helsenorge, you’ll need to log in with an approved electronic ID, such as BankID, Buypass, or Commfides. If you have a Norwegian national ID number or a D-number and a Norwegian bank account, you can typically set this up quite quickly.
Once you’ve logged in for the first time, you’ll be asked to provide consent for how your health data can be accessed and shared. This determines what information appears in your portal and who can access it on your behalf. You can update or withdraw this consent at any time through your profile settings.
The site is available in both Norwegian and English. While not all functions are fully translated, most of the key features—including appointment booking and prescription management—are easy to navigate in English.
What Can You Do on Helsenorge?
The Helsenorge portal offers a wide range of digital health services that vary depending on your region and healthcare providers.
While not every feature may be available in every municipality or hospital, here are the most commonly used services.
View and Renew Prescriptions
You can log in to Helsenorge to view an up-to-date list of your active prescriptions. This includes the type of medication, the prescribing doctor, and the expiry date.
In many cases, you can also request a renewal directly through the portal, saving you a phone call or trip to the GP. Once your prescription is ready, you can pick it up at any pharmacy in Norway.
Access Medical Records
Helsenorge provides access to your electronic patient records, including hospital notes, discharge summaries, test results, and referrals.
This is particularly useful after a hospital stay, specialist consultation, or emergency room visit, allowing you to read through the notes at your own pace.
The depth of information available varies by hospital trust. For example, some health regions allow you to read detailed notes from doctors and nurses, while others may only show a summary or basic diagnosis.
Book and Manage Appointments
In many areas, you can use Helsenorge to book, view, change, or cancel appointments with your GP or hospital. If you’re referred to a specialist, you may also receive a digital invitation and can manage that referral through the portal.
You can check estimated waiting times, confirm or reject proposed appointments, and even choose which clinic or provider to see in some cases.
View Test Results
If you’ve had a blood test, x-ray, or other diagnostic examination, the results will often be published on Helsenorge once your doctor has reviewed them. You’ll receive a notification when new information is available.
Note that results may be delayed slightly so your doctor can interpret them first and contact you directly if necessary.
Vaccination Overview
Helsenorge allows you to view your personal vaccination history, including childhood vaccines, Covid-19 doses, and travel vaccinations given through the public health system.
This is especially helpful when travelling or applying for work or education that requires immunisation documentation.
Contact Your GP
If your fastlege (regular GP) supports the service, you can send non-urgent messages through Helsenorge. This might include questions about test results, follow-up care, or administrative issues like referrals and sick notes.
You can also request a change of GP directly through the portal. Each resident is entitled to one GP change per year, although exceptions can be made under special circumstances.
Apply for Benefits and Reimbursements
The portal connects with other health-related services, allowing you to apply for certain types of support.
This includes travel expense reimbursement when attending medical appointments far from home, or applying for an exemption card (frikort) if you reach the annual healthcare cost threshold. These services are linked to your health data and processed through secure government systems.
See Who Accessed Your Records
One unique feature of Helsenorge is its transparency. You can view a log of who has accessed your medical data, whether it was your GP, a hospital doctor, or another healthcare worker.
This helps ensure that your information is handled responsibly and in accordance with privacy laws.
Acting on Behalf of Others
Helsenorge also lets you manage healthcare for others, including children or adults who have given you legal permission.
Parents and guardians automatically get access to their children’s health data, usually up to the age of 12.
From 12 to 16, access is more restricted due to privacy laws, and from age 16 onwards, teenagers manage their own health information unless they have given explicit consent to share it.
You can also apply for the right to act on behalf of another adult, such as a family member who is ill or elderly, provided you have the proper legal documentation.
Privacy and Security
Because Helsenorge contains sensitive personal information, privacy and data security are taken very seriously.
The portal uses encrypted connections and secure login methods, and your consent settings determine how your data is shared between services.
You are in control of your health information. You can withdraw consent, block specific providers from seeing your records, or opt out of services altogether if you choose.
Support and Help in English
While Helsenorge is increasingly accessible in English, you may still come across medical terms or features that are not fully translated. If you get stuck, you can:
- Call the Helsenorge support line on 23 32 70 00 (Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 15:30)
- Visit the English-language information page at helsenorge.no/en
- Ask your GP or local health centre for guidance
Helsenorge is a powerful tool that makes it easier to stay on top of your health while living in Norway. It can feel unfamiliar at first, but once you’re logged in and comfortable, it becomes a convenient and empowering part of life here.
From checking prescriptions to reviewing hospital notes and managing your appointments, it brings much of Norway’s healthcare system right to your fingertips. Best of all, it’s free, secure, and available 24/7, giving you more time to focus on living well.
