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Norway (NO)

Norway is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy in Northern Europe — one of the three Scandinavian nations, occupying the western and northern portions of the Scandinavian Peninsula.

Capital: Oslo
Region: Europe
Language: Norwegian Bokmål
Currency: NOK (kr)
Cost of living: Very expensive (index 88)
Emergency: 112

Bringing Pets to Norway

Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.

Microchip
Required
Health certificate
Required
Import permit
Not required
Quarantine
Not required

Vaccinations

Rabies vaccination (compulsory, must be done after microchipping) Distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis (core dog vaccines — recommended/often required) Calicivirus, herpesvirus, panleukopenia (core cat vaccines — recommended) Echinococcus (tapeworm) treatment for dogs entering from most countries (within 1–5 days of arrival)

Restricted Breeds

Pit Bull TerrierAmerican Staffordshire TerrierFila BrasileiroTosa InuDogo ArgentinoNote: these breeds are permanently banned in Norway under the Animal Welfare Act. Mixed breeds that significantly resemble these breeds may also be prohibited.

💰 Costs

EU Pet Passport or equivalent: NOK 500–1,000 from your vet. Echinococcus treatment: NOK 300–600 from vet. Rabies vaccination: NOK 300–500. Health certificate (for non-EU pets): NOK 500–1,500 from a government-authorised vet. Possible IPPC inspection at border: varies.

🐕 Dog Tax / Registration

Norway does not have a universal national dog tax. Some municipalities (kommuner) have a local dog registration fee (hundetegn) — typically NOK 100–500/year. Check with your local kommune. Dogs must be registered in your name with your municipality.

Register with a Norwegian veterinarian (dyrlege) shortly after arrival. Norwegian veterinary care is of high quality but expensive. Pet insurance (kjæledyrforsikring) is strongly recommended — providers include Agria, Fremtind (SpareBank 1), and Gjensidige. Norwegian law (dyrevelferdsloven — Animal Welfare Act) requires all pets to receive adequate care, exercise, and social interaction.

📋 Relocation Process

EEA pets: (1) Microchip implanted before or with vaccination; (2) Rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry); (3) Echinococcus treatment administered by a vet 1–5 days before entry (for dogs); (4) EU Pet Passport or Norwegian-recognised equivalent. Non-EEA pets: additional requirements including official health certificate from a government-certified vet, possible titer test (blood test confirming adequate rabies antibody levels), and declaration. Entering via approved border points only. Register with a Norwegian veterinarian and update Norwegian health records upon arrival.

Norway is not an EU member but has aligned its pet import rules closely with EU standards, making EEA pet travel relatively straightforward. The Echinococcus (tapeworm) treatment requirement for dogs is critical — must be administered by a licensed vet 1–5 days before arrival, not earlier. Failure to comply can result in the dog being refused entry or quarantined. Banned breeds (Pit Bull Terrier and related) cannot enter Norway under any circumstances — this is strictly enforced. In Oslo, dogs must be kept on a leash in most public areas from 1 April to 20 August (hunting season exceptions apply). Dogs are generally very welcome in Norway — many shops, cafés, and outdoor spaces are pet-friendly. Allemannsretten (right to roam) allows dogs on uncultivated land when on a leash during spring/summer months.