eHealth in Norway
5,4 m
inhabtitants
7,9 %
health expenditure to GDP ratio in 2022
357
municipalities close to citizens
Primary care provided by municipalities and specialised care by regions
Norway has a semi-decentralized health system. Norway’s four regional health authorities are responsible for specialised health care and run all hospitals and other specialised providers. 357 municipalities are responsible for primary care including general practitioners.
The health system is financed by taxation. All residents are covered by the National Insurance Scheme (NAV) managed by the Norwegian Health Economics Administration (HELFO).
Norway is a leader in digital health and has large national cohorts.
Norway maintains several national health databases accessible for research purposes on the Norwegian Institute for Public Heath website.
Although Norway is not a member of the EU, the country participates in multiple European projects, including in health and digital health, and is an active member of the eHealth Network. Norway leads the PREVENT NCD project and contributes to initiatives such as Xt-EHR, XpanDH, xShare or TEHDAS II (non-exhaustive list).
National citizen health data portal
Since 2011, Norwegian health authorities have set up Helsenorge.no, a public health portal for information sharing and health-related dialogue with citizens in Norway. The portal is designed to give individual patients and their relatives better and simpler access to health services and help them cope and improve their health while strengthening the patient role.
How to access the Norwegian digital health market?
1. Information about the Norwegian market from Invest In Norway
Invest In Norway is the official investment promotion agency in Norway. The agency offers a wide range of services and an extensive network to help international companies establish and run their business. As first contact point for entrepreneurs, Invest in Norway provides information, assesses opportunities and connects international companies to relevant networks.
2. Classification of medical device by the Norwegian Medicines Agency
The classification of medical devices takes place in two stages. The first step is to determine if the product qualifies as a medical device. In case of a positive answer, the next step is to determine the risk category of the equipment.
More information on the classification of medical devices on the Norwegian Medicines Agency website.
3. Declaration of conformity of medical device by the Norwegian Medicines Agency
The declaration of conformity is the manufacturer's written declaration that the medical device meets the national and EU-level requirements of the regulations that apply to the device and the solution is eligible to CE marking. As Norway is part of the EEA, EU Regulation 2017/745 on medical devices applies, and CE marking is required for medical devices.
More information on the declaration of conformity on the Norwegian Medicines Agency website.
4. Deployment and network of healthcare professionals
This collaboration platform enables healthcare professionals to share health and personal data in a safe and legal manner, and suppliers can offer their services. By becoming an approved third-party provider, any supplier can deliver their services to all customers in the health network.
Government authorities
In charge of the evaluation and legislation of health products.
Hubs and innovation clusters
eHealth hubs and innovation clusters bring together and facilitate the incubation of new technologies.
Training courses
Universities and their groups that offer training and support for digital health innovations.