Norway

SAFETY: excellent

The whole country is considered safe. No particular risks are reported other than petty crime (rare) and environmental hazards (snow, ice, thaw, rugged terrain).

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: excellent
A comprehensive, modern transport network covering the entire country (air, rail, bus, metro, tram, taxi, ferry) makes it possible to reach any destination. Hiring cars, motorbikes, campervans, bicycles and boats is easy and convenient. The country is well connected to Italy and to all neighbouring countries.

Main airports: Bergen (Flesland), Bodø, Kristiansand (Kjevik and Kvernberget), Molde (Aro), Oslo (Fornebu and Gardermoen), Stavanger (Sola), Tromsø, Trondheim (Værnes).

Main ports: Bergen, Borg Havn, Haugesund, Måløy, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture.

HOSPITALITY: excellent
Norway offers a wide choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price. The international hotel classification (one to five stars) applies, alongside farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels, campsites and wellness or spa centres. The range of restaurants is less varied.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Kingdom of Norway – Location: Scandinavian Peninsula. Borders: Sweden to the east, Finland and Russia to the north-east, the Norwegian Sea to the west, the Skagerrak to the south – Time zone: UTC+1, the same as Italy, with daylight saving time – Area: 385,000 km² – Capital: Oslo – Population: 5,100,000 – Religion: 85.7% Lutheran, 1% Pentecostal, 1% Catholic, 2.4% other Christian, 1.8% Muslim, 8.1% other religions – Languages: Norwegian (official language), Finnish, English, Russian (in the Svalbard Islands) – Measurements: metric system.

CURRENCY: Norwegian krone (NOK). Foreign or Norwegian currency in cash may be brought in freely up to a maximum of NOK 25,000. Larger sums must be declared to customs on arrival in the country – Credit cards: the major cards are widely accepted – Exchange: bring euros, which are easy to exchange.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V and 50 Hz – Electrical sockets: two-pin type, bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad. There are no customs restrictions on personal luggage (Schengen) – Driving: Italian driving licence – Car: Italian third-party motor insurance is sufficient for Italian vehicles.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 0047 –GSM: coverage across the whole country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: Network Norway, MTU T3 Lisens, NETCOM and Telenor Mobil – Internet: very widespread service, available throughout the country – Web domain: .no – Emergency numbers: roadside assistance 81000505, police 112, fire brigade 110, ambulance 113.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 9.00-16.00, Sat 10.00-13.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 8.15-15.00, Thu 8.15-17.00 – Shops: Mon-Fri 9.00-18.00, Sat 9.00-17.00 – Closing day: Sunday.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: drug offences (including personal use) carry heavy fines and very severe sentences, followed by immediate deportation once served. Sexual abuse of and violence against minors are punished with up to ten years’ imprisonment. The legal age of consent is 16. Homosexuality is legal and same-sex unions are recognised by law.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations are required. Health conditions are excellent, as is the standard of local facilities. Medicines are sold under strict rules, but the most common over-the-counter products are easy to find. Italian citizens on temporary visits who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the care provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; March/April, Easter (Thursday, Friday, Monday); 1 May, Labour Day; 17 May, Constitution Day; 24 May, Ascension; Whitsun; 4 June, St Medard’s Day; 25-26 December, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

CLIMATE: subpolar oceanic, moderated both by the warm Gulf Stream, which runs along the whole coast and prevents ice from forming, and by the moist winds from the Atlantic, which bring frequent rainfall. Winters are generally mild, except in the far north, and summers are cool.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY 

Embassy of Norway
V. delle Terme Deciane 7– 00153 Rome– Tel. 06 45238100– Fax 06 45238199– Web: www.amb-norvegia.it – E-mail: emb.rome@mfa.no

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN NORWAY

Italian Embassy
Inkognitogaten 7 – 0244 Oslo – Tel. 0047 2 3084900 – Fax 0047 2 22443436 – Web: www.amboslo.esteri.it – E-mail: ambasciata.oslo@esteri.it