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.
Everyone in Norway, including international residents, can lodge an official complaint if they feel their rights as a patient have not been respected, or if they have not received the care they are entitled to. This covers all parts of the health service, such as doctors, hospitals, community nurses, and home help.
The steps you take will depend on whether you want to change your treatment or ask for financial compensation. Each situation has its own process.
The human reality
Behind the forms and official timelines lies a human side that can be complex and emotionally draining. When a loved one is hurt by malpractice, your main concern is their recovery. But dealing with the Norwegian bureaucracy afterwards can be discouraging.
Many international residents report a profound sense of desperation when facing the system, feeling that their concerns are dismissed rather than heard.
In my own experience, a relative became seriously ill because a doctor failed to provide timely treatment, leading to a surgery that was ultimately unsuccessful.
We attempted to speak with various stakeholders, including Helsenorge, lawyers in Oslo, and field experts. However, we got responses that ranged from dismissive comments, like being told an error “wasn’t that grave” because no physical tools were left inside the patient, to subtle remarks about being from another country.
At one point, the hospital stopped answering our questions, and the doctors involved started avoiding responsibility.
This kind of dismissive attitude makes families feel like giving up.
The health problems caused by medical mistakes do not go away, but the bureaucracy is often so difficult that some stop trying.
For many people, the process is not about getting money. It is about feeling better, getting answers, and finding a solution to a health problem that the system sometimes fails to provide.
Below I’ve listed the main scenarios you face and advice you need if you find yourself in the unfortunate position where you have to log a medical complaint in Norway.
READ ALSO: ‘It relies on paracetamol’: Why foreigners find Norway’s health system below par
Appealing a decision (rights appeal)
If you have been refused a treatment, denied a referral to a specialist, not given information or follow-up, or have not received an appointment in a reasonable time, you can file a rights appeal (rettighetsklage).
You can also contest the decision if you disagree with a medical decision or if you have been denied something you believe you are entitled to.
First, you have to send your appeal to the place that made the original decision, such as your GP’s office or a local hospital. This lets them review and possibly change their decision.
Your appeal should include your details, the name of the organisation you are appealing against, and a short, clear description of the treatment you did not receive. If the provider still rejects your appeal, it will be sent to the County Governor (Statsforvalteren) for a final review.
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READ MORE: Six things to know about visiting a doctor in Norway
Requesting a supervisory case
If you think you received the wrong treatment, medication, or dose, were sent home too early, or are unhappy with the care you received, you can request a supervisory case (tilsynssak).
This means asking the authorities to check whether the care you got was professional and safe.
You need to send this complaint to the County Governor. They will look into whether the healthcare provider broke the law or did not meet their duty of care.
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Applying for financial compensation
If a mistake by the health service caused you financial loss or injury, you can apply for compensation (erstatning) through the Norwegian System of Patient Injury Compensation (NPE).
There are some conditions: the injury must be caused by a failure in treatment, examination, diagnosis, or follow-up, and it must have led to a significant financial loss or a lasting injury. Also, your claim must not be too old. You can apply for compensation up to three years after you realised the treatment or the lack of it caused the injury. If you apply too late, your claim will expire.
You can also ask for compensation if you were injured by side effects from a medicine.
The NPE advises that sometimes it is better to wait before applying to see if the injury is permanent or if your financial loss meets the requirement.
If your application is rejected, you have three weeks to appeal the decision to the NPE. If they do not change the outcome, your case will go to the Patient Injury Compensation Board (Pasientklagenemnda).
According to their website, approved claims take about 11 months to process, while rejections take about 7 months.
Sometimes, a claim can be reopened if new and important information appears. The easiest way to complain about a decision is by using “My Page” on the NPE website.
As mentioned in our recent article, compensation claims reached a record high in 2025, but most applications were rejected.
READ MORE: Norway sees record number of patient complaints about medical malpractice
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Navigating treatment abroad
Many foreigners in Norway choose to receive treatment in their home country, but it is important to understand the reimbursement rules.
You might be able to get coverage for healthcare costs abroad, but this usually requires prior approval or meeting specific conditions, like a lack of treatment options in Norway or delays in receiving care.
Check the Helsenorge website (the official Norwegian health portal) for the specific conditions for different health services.
If Helfo (the Norwegian Health Economics Administration) rejects your reimbursement application, you can appeal. If it does not change its decision, it will send your appeal to the National Office for Health Service Appeals (Helseklage).
If you are injured by malpractice abroad, you can only apply for compensation through the NPE if the treatment was part of an official agreement between the Norwegian health service and the foreign clinic.
Next of kin
If a patient cannot file a claim themselves, friends or family can submit a claim or appeal on their behalf. This usually requires a power of attorney or legal guardianship. Check the website.
The Ombudsman
If you’re confused about what to do, the Health and Social Services Ombudsman (Pasient- og brukerombudet) offers free advice. Experiences with this office can vary, but it remains a key resource for navigating bureaucracy.