Europe

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Norway. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6.  The  WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Check Swine Flu for further information.  Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Around 250,000 British tourists visit Norway every year (Source: Norwegian Statisics Bureau, SSB).  Most visits are trouble-free. 94 British nationals required consular assistance in Norway in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (41 cases); hospitalisations (3 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (43 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (73 cases).  Petty crime does occur but at a low level compared to other European countries.
  
  
• You should be aware that drugs and drink driving laws are stricter in Norway than in the UK.
  
  
• We recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.