https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Norway in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The Norwegian government aims to keep more people in work by increasing the use of graded sick leave, rather than granting full sick leave as the default during GP visits. So what are the measures you need to know? https://www.thelocal.no/20260512/explained-norways-new-sick-leave-measures-and-how-they-will-affect-you Tue, 12 May 2026 15:23:26 +0200 explained-norways-new-sick-leave-measures-and-how-they-will-affect-you Going to the dentist can be one of the highest expenses you face while living in Norway. The costs are so steep that many opt to seek treatment abroad. However, a new reform could change that in 2027. https://www.thelocal.no/20260506/explained-how-a-new-reform-could-cut-your-dental-bills-in-norway Wed, 06 May 2026 16:47:20 +0200 explained-how-a-new-reform-could-cut-your-dental-bills-in-norway Residents in the capital should be prepared for a change in their water supply. Oslo’s usually pristine, fresh, (and delicious) tap water may look discoloured this week because of extensive maintenance work. https://www.thelocal.no/20260504/where-in-oslo-residents-should-expect-to-have-brown-tap-water-this-week Mon, 04 May 2026 12:52:54 +0200 where-in-oslo-residents-should-expect-to-have-brown-tap-water-this-week The Norwegian government is taking action to tackle Norway's sky-high rate of sick leave, which has surged since the pandemic, with ministers arguing it has become "too easy" to call in sick. https://www.thelocal.no/20260427/norway-to-crack-down-on-sick-leave Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:26:55 +0200 norway-to-crack-down-on-sick-leave In Norway, one of the most dangerous animals is also one of the smallest: the tick. It is important that as the temperatures get warmer this spring, you are aware of how to protect yourself and your family. https://www.thelocal.no/20260422/explained-how-to-protect-yourself-during-norways-tick-season Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:52:40 +0200 explained-how-to-protect-yourself-during-norways-tick-season Pollen season in Norway begins earlier every year. Here are several tips to hopefully help get you through the season unscathed. https://www.thelocal.no/20240410/everything-you-need-to-know-to-survive-norways-pollen-season Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:10:26 +0200 everything-you-need-to-know-to-survive-norways-pollen-season In Norway, even a routine check-up outside the Nordics can mean a mandatory MRSA test (for antibiotic-resistant bacteria) before follow-up care. Here’s what to expect. https://www.thelocal.no/20260407/why-norway-may-require-a-health-test-if-you-got-treatment-abroad Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:49:53 +0200 why-norway-may-require-a-health-test-if-you-got-treatment-abroad Getting in touch with your GP in Norway is becoming more flexible, as new rules require doctors to offer video, text, or phone consultations. https://www.thelocal.no/20260402/norway-launches-full-rollout-of-digital-consultations-with-gp-doctors Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:21:56 +0200 norway-launches-full-rollout-of-digital-consultations-with-gp-doctors If you spend much of your workday looking at a screen, your employer in Norway may be legally required to foot the bill for your next eye exam and a pair of specialised "computer glasses." https://www.thelocal.no/20260331/did-you-know-employers-in-norway-must-cover-eye-tests Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:36:15 +0200 did-you-know-employers-in-norway-must-cover-eye-tests Life expectancy data reveals that people are living longer in Europe on average, but major differences in gender and geography remain. https://www.thelocal.no/20260315/where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:20:07 +0100 where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Environmental pollution is linked to several mental health disorders in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned, arguing that enforcing legislation would result in Europeans being both less depressed and less anxious. https://www.thelocal.no/20260305/pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:10:55 +0100 pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems When the next health crisis hits, Norway doesn’t want to be standing outside the room. After racing for vaccines during the pandemic, the government is now pushing for a formal seat at the EU’s Health Union table https://www.thelocal.no/20260205/why-does-norway-want-to-join-the-eus-health-union Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:28:15 +0100 why-does-norway-want-to-join-the-eus-health-union If you think you have not received proper medical care in Norway, you have the right to take action. Whether you are seeking a change in treatment, requesting an investigation, or seeking financial compensation, there are clear steps you can follow, explains Irene Andrade. https://www.thelocal.no/20260129/how-you-can-lodge-a-complaint-about-medical-treatment-in-norway Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:05:59 +0100 how-you-can-lodge-a-complaint-about-medical-treatment-in-norway While many in Norway share their healthcare frustrations with friends and family, a growing number are now taking formal action. After a record year for compensation claims in 2025, here’s why so many applications were rejected. https://www.thelocal.no/20260129/norway-sees-record-number-of-patient-complaints-about-medical-malpractice Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:45:45 +0100 norway-sees-record-number-of-patient-complaints-about-medical-malpractice Norway is often praised for its healthy work-life balance and generous welfare benefits. But the number of people on sick leave because of mental health challenges - including burnout - is climbing. https://www.thelocal.no/20250930/norway-offers-renowned-work-life-balance-so-why-are-so-many-suffering-burnouts Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:29:26 +0200 norway-offers-renowned-work-life-balance-so-why-are-so-many-suffering-burnouts From cheaper dental bills to seeing a nurse instead of a GP, here’s what changed in Norway’s healthcare system as of January 1st 2026. https://www.thelocal.no/20260123/explained-all-the-healthcare-changes-in-norway-in-2026-you-need-to-know Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:59:57 +0100 explained-all-the-healthcare-changes-in-norway-in-2026-you-need-to-know Norway’s healthcare system has been subject to a GP shortage for a few years, meaning some residents have to wait weeks or months to get an appointment. Are there any ways to speed up the process? https://www.thelocal.no/20240215/are-there-any-ways-to-get-a-quicker-gp-appointment-in-norway Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:07:13 +0100 are-there-any-ways-to-get-a-quicker-gp-appointment-in-norway Norway has so much to offer foreign residents from quality of life to work life balance, but according to readers the quality of the country's health system leaves a lot to be desired and pushes many to consider leaving. https://www.thelocal.no/20260109/it-relies-on-paracetamol-why-foreigners-find-norways-health-system-below-par Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:03:33 +0100 it-relies-on-paracetamol-why-foreigners-find-norways-health-system-below-par New guidelines from Norway’s health ministry say children aged 12 or under should not have access to the internet without adult supervision. https://www.thelocal.no/20260108/no-unsupervised-internet-for-under-13s-norways-new-national-screen-guidelines Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:52:30 +0100 no-unsupervised-internet-for-under-13s-norways-new-national-screen-guidelines Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, as a precautionary measure. https://www.thelocal.no/20260106/nestle-recalls-infant-formula-in-several-european-countries Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:35:35 +0100 nestle-recalls-infant-formula-in-several-european-countries