Medications and vaccinations

It is not guaranteed that you can find the same medication in Norway as in your home country, as some medications are not sold in Norway. Please prepare the necessary documents, depending on which situation applies to you.

The medication can be bought in Norway

1. Bring documentation of your medication and prescription in English.
2. Get a doctor's appointment and have the doctor issue a prescription (not free).
3. Go to a pharmacy to get your medication (not free). 

You can read details about doctors' appointments on the webpage for health, safety and emergency support.

The medication is not sold in Norway

In such cases, one might need to talk to their doctor in good time before travelling to Norway to see whether they can change their medications. Sometimes, changing is not possible. In that case, one must check how much of the medicine one can bring to Norway. If one cannot bring enough medication, one will need to travel home during the exchange to get more medication or submit an application by post to the Norwegian Medical Products Agency. For information on how to apply, view the drop-down list on this page named "Regulations on importing medicines".

The medication might be sold in Norway

Please note that a specific medication might be sold using a different name. Students must check with their doctor before travelling to Norway whether the medicine is the same. It might be restricted due to shortages. In such a case, one must be aware that one might have to travel back to one's home country to acquire the medication or submit an application by post to the Norwegian Medical Products Agency. For information on how to apply, view the drop-down list on this page named "Regulations on importing medicines".

If you need to bring any medications into Norway, you must be aware of the regulations regarding the amount and type of medication. All students are recommended to check the following information:

• Norwegian Customs webpage on Travelling with medications (external link).
• Norwegian Medical Products Agency on bringing medications into Norway (external link).

Medicines containing narcotic active substances - apply to bring enough for your stay

This application can only be made by students staying in Norway for one or two semesters. Students enrolled in a full-degree program must get a prescription from a Doctor's Office in Norway throughout their stay. 

It is possible to apply to bring in a certain amount of medications containing narcotics for more than 30 days of use, when staying one or two semesters at INN. The application must be submitted by post to the Norwegian Medical Products Agency, not INN. View their webpage linked above for information on how to submit an application. Make sure to apply well in advance (preferably one to two months) of travelling to Norway.

When travelling to Norway with medication, it is essential that:

• You bring sufficient documentation in English of the use. Especially when the medication is classified as a doping product.
• Bring the medication in its original packaging.