Norwegian version of this page

Safety and security abroad

If you are going on a mobility through INN, you are responsible for preparing properly in terms of safety, health and emergency preparedness. On this page, you will find concrete steps you must take before departure, and what to do if something happens while you are abroad.

Most of the advice is also useful if you are travelling abroad privately, outside INN’s area of responsibility.

If a crisis occurs while you are abroad:

Depending on the type of crisis, it may vary who it is most relevant to contact first.

  1. In an acute emergency, contact the local emergency services first.
  2. Contact INN's emergency number as soon as possible: (+47) 04315.
  3. Contact the nearest Norwegian foreign mission (embassy, consulate).
  4. Follow any advice given by local authorities, the host institution and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
  5. Consult Sikresiden.no for advice on what to do in an emergency situation and where to get help if something happens.

Checklist for safety and security

Before going on a stay abroad, you must, among other things, familiarise yourself thoroughly with INN’s advice on safety abroad (this page) and with Sikresiden.no.

On Sikresiden.no you will find concrete advice on how to prevent unwanted incidents, what to do if a crisis occurs, and where you can get help. Select University of Inland Norway and save the site on your phone before you travel.

In the drop‑down list below, you will find a bullet‑point overview of the preparations you must make before departure related to safety and security abroad, as well as a list of important contacts and relevant links.

Please note: If you are not a Norwegian citizen, it is particularly important that you check which rights and coverage you have through the authorities in the country where you are a citizen, and which schemes may apply via Norway.

Checklist for students

Before departure, you must do the following for your safety and security:

Check travel advice and register your trip

  • Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MFA/UD) travel advice and country information for the country/region you are travelling to, including the transport step (stopovers, etc.).
  • Register your trip with the MFA via the Reiseklar app or at www.reiseregistrering.no.

Complete the information form and keep your details updated

  • Complete INN’s Declaration of Personal Information for Outgoing Students and save the copy you receive by e‑mail.
  • If anything changes (phone number, address, duration of stay, next of kin, etc.), you must immediately inform your international coordinator at INN.

Note: As a general rule, INN can only share information about your situation abroad with the person you have listed as your next of kin in the form.

Insurance, social security rights and health coverage

  • Ensure that you have valid health and accident insurance for the entire period. NB: If you are going on a placement/internship, you must also have liability insurance that covers your placement.
  • In addition, you should have travel insurance, preferably a “Student abroad” package that may cover, for example, contents, luggage, evacuation, repatriation and legal assistance.
  • Check that your insurance covers the entire duration of your stay (not just 4–5 weeks of holiday) and the activities you will be doing (practical placement, fieldwork, sports, climbing, etc.).
  • Familiarise yourself with your rights to social security and health coverage through the National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden), NAV and HELFO.
  • Order/renew the European Health Insurance Card via Helsenorge if relevant (EEA/Switzerland or stopover there).

Passport, documents and important numbers

  • Make sure you have a valid passport, visa and any required permits.
  • Make copies of all important documents, including your insurance certificate, and store them both digitally and on paper.
  • Save INN’s 24/7 emergency number on your phone: (+47) 04315.
  • Save other important contacts: the nearest Norwegian foreign mission, the international office at your host institution, your international coordinator at INN, next of kin, your insurance company (including emergency line) and the local emergency number where you will be living.
  • Download the Nødnummer (emergency number) app from Sjømannskirken, which gives you the local emergency number in the country you are in.

Think through your own preparedness

  • Who will you contact first if something happens?
  • Where can you stay if the situation becomes unsafe?
  • How will you stay updated (news, MFA/UD, host institution, Sikresiden.no)?

Important contacts and relevant links

INN and emergency assistance

Norwegian authorities

For more information about what Norwegian authorities can assist with if something happens abroad, see the White Paper Meld. St. 18 (2024–2025): “When trouble strikes abroad”.

Student support and emergency support

Guidelines and roles

When you go on a stay abroad, several parties share responsibility for safety and follow‑up – including yourself, the international coordinators and INN’s crisis management group.

In the sections below, you will find an overview of your own responsibilities as a student, and the support you can expect from INN if a crisis occurs while you are abroad.

The student’s responsibility

  • All students going on a stay abroad must familiarise themselves thoroughly with INN’s advice on safety abroad (this page) and the information on Sikresiden.no.
  • Before departure, students must complete all the steps listed in the Checklist for safety and security, found further up on this page.
  • If a crisis occurs, students must contact the nearest Norwegian foreign mission (e.g. embassy/consulate) and call University of Inland Norway's emergency number: (+47) 04315. In addition, students must follow the advice given by local authorities, the host institution and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA/UD).

The International Coordinator’s responsibility

  • The International Coordinator needs to have an overview of where INN students are located abroad and are responsible for following up students in their faculty/campus during the student’s stay abroad.
  • If the International Coordinator at the faculty/campus becomes aware of a situation abroad that could potentially involve a crisis with the involved students, the leader for the Crisis Group at their faculty (often the dean) and the head of the International Office must be contacted.
  • Take part in the crisis management group in the event of crises abroad.

The Crisis Group’s responsibility

  • Ensure that the following tasks are taken care of in consultation with the relevant department/faculty;
  • Obtain all registered information about students in the relevant area from an International Advisor and assess the situation.
  • Contact the relevant foreign service mission at the destination for information and assistance.
  • Contact the affected/involved students to guide what they should do, and plan what to do if the situation changes.
  • Clarify the consequences for other students in the area, and decide if it is necessary to conduct any action for them.
  • Decide the seriousness of the situation, and if evacuation of the relevant students is necessary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be contacted during this process.
  • Determine INN's official response to the incident.

It is the Police’s responsibility to contact the relatives or next of kin of the students.

Get in touch

If you would like guidance or have questions related to studying abroad, you can contact an international coordinator at your faculty.