USEFUL ADDRESSES AND WEBSITES

www.norge.no           A useful site for newcomers. Gives information about Norway in general.  Links to other useful sites. such as tourist orgnizations. Norwegian Geneaology .  English language version.

www.bergen.kommune.no       All about the Bergen.

www.visitBergen.com  Tourist information.

The British Embassy and Consulate. Oslo. Tel 23 13 27 00

The British Consul’s office in Bergen

Carl Konows gate 34. Postboks 7255, .5020 Bergen.

Telephone: 55 94 47 05

Church services are held on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month.

For further information please ring David Weaver Tlf. 55 92 44 40

 www.bergenanglican.net

International School Bergen

Vilm. Bjørknes veien 15, 5081 Bergen    www.isb.gs.hl.no

FIRE 110.

POLICE 112

In Bergen it is quicker to ring 02800. For local Police stations look in the telephone catalogue under 'Politiet '

AMBULANCE. 113 or 55 32 30 03

Break Down Services  emergency numbers

NAF.  8100 00 606

Falken  02222

Vikingservice  55 51 70 80

Britain has a reciprocal arrangement with Norway regarding medical help. If a British visitor to Norway has to go into hospital they won’t have to pay.

A visit to a GP or casualty department will cost the patient about Kr. 120,- and extra for bandages etc.

It costs about Kr. 500,- at a private health centre. It is worth going to one if you have private/travel insurance.

You have to pay for all medicines. This is the same for Norwegians.The exceptions are life saving medicines or medicines for chronic sickness when the doctor writes out the perscriptions on a blue form.

If you plan to live in Norway it is best to register with a local GP:

On your first visit to a doctor ask for a 'Kvitterings bok' this is a small white and green receipt book.. Every time you go to the Doctor hand it to the receptionistwhen you pay your bill.. She will write in the amount you have paid and stamp it. If you pay over Kr. 1,550,- in the course of a calender year you get what is called a 'fri kort' or free card. Further visits are then free.  If the doctor has written out a persription on a blue form you have to pay only part of the cost. This is  called 'Egen andel' or own share. Make sure you have your receipt  book with you.

 Children must have their own receipt book. If the amount of the children's and your own ''egen andel ' can be added together to make the Kr. 1550,-  Any other visit to the doctor and medicine written on a blue form is free of charge. People are rarely informed about this short cut

.Dental treatment does not come under the health service. To find a dentist look under Tannleger in the yellow pages.

In the city centre  is open 24 hours. Vestre Strømkaien 19. (Near the bus station)

Tel:. 55 56 87 00

The emergency dental service is at the same address.

Warning. The hospitals do not have casualty departments.

Fana Kommunehust , Wollert Konowsgt. Nesttun. Tel: 55 56 13 00

Opening times Mon.- Fri. .4 pm- 10 pm. Weekends and holidays noon -6 pm

Åsane Legevakt Åsane Senter 38. (shopping senter) tel: 55 56 70 00.

Opening times Mon – Fri.4pm-10 pm Weekend – holidays.12-6 pm

Loddefjord Legevakt. Vestkanten (shopping centre) Loddefjord veien 2. tel: 55 51 33 70

Opening times Mon.-Fri. 4pm-10pm weekends and holidays 12-6 pm.

Volvat Medisinske Senter (Private) Fanaveien 89 (near Lagunen Shopping Center)

Opening times. Mon- Fri. 8 am-10 pm Sat.10 am -3 pm Holidays closed.

People living in Norway need to register with a private practitioner. Look in the yellow pages under ‘Leger. Almenn’

The chemist on the first floor of Bergen Stor Senter (beside the central bus station) is the only chemist with 24hours opening times. Chemists in the large shopping centres such as Lagunen, Oasen and Vestkanten etc. keep the same opening hours as the rest of the shops.

A refuge for battered or raped women.

Tlf: 55 31 50 50

Citizens from the EU countries are allowed to live and work in Norway. But only if they have a job First get a job. Even if you are married to a Norwegian after three months you have to show proof you can keep yourself, or your spouse will have to show they have enough money to keep you both.

Citizens of the EU can visit Norway  for three months at a time as a tourist.or to look for work.

If you have familiy / friends who are nationals of countries not belonging to the EU.they may need a visa to visit Norway.  Check this at their  local Norwegian Consulate before coming to Norway

Electricity Current.  Is 220 volts. All appliances bought in the UK are for 230Volt.work perfectly well But appliances from the USA of 110 volts must be used with a transformer. British plugs will not fit the standard Norwegian socket.  Light bulbs with a bayonet fitting will not fit a Norwegian lamp

Get an early start  if you have to visit council offices. They are usually open between 8 --8.30 pm and 3.30pm. The offices and even some banks have earlier opening times during the summer months. Some offices dealing with the public close their door 's at 2 pm.

.Lunch time in Norway is 20 to 30 minutes. Hot lunches are not the norm.

Opening time for shops vary a lot. The indoor shopping centres such as Bergen Centre. Gallerie, Kløverhus, Lagunen, Oasen, Åsane Centre, etc are open from 9am to 8pm, 6pm on Saturdays. Some food shops are open to 9 pm. Other shops close by 5pm. Except for Thursdays which is late night shopping to 8 pm and Saturday when most shops are closed by 2pm.

Alcohol   Strong beer, wines and spirits can only be bought at the State owned liquor stores, known as   'Vinmonopolet'. There are 8 stores in Bergen for the opening times ring 04560.

' There is a very high tax on alcohol. A cheap wine is over £8. Spirits over £50. The tax is supposed to stop people drinking.  The result is a lot of  home made alcohol or smuggled spirit. The latter is not to be recommended. Last year  quite a few people died of drinking smuggled alcoholic spirit.

The miniture bottles of ' liqueurs' for sale in the supermarkets do not contain alcohol. The idea is to buy spirit from the Vinmonoplet (safe to drink) and mix it with the taste of your choice.

Information centre

Bergen Rådhus (The nearest you get to a skyscraper in Bergen beside the small lake in the centre of the city.)

Tel: 55 56 63 00

www.bergen.kommune.no

They have a pleasant canteen on the ground floor which is open to the public. One of the cheapest places to buy lunch or just a cup of coffee in Bergen. But get there before 2 pm.

Known as MOKS.

Bispensgt 25.

Postboks 7700

5020 Bergen

Tel: 55 56 79 00

This office helps immigrants and refugees to integrate into the Norwegian way of life.

Worth a visit to pick up some of their brochures.

The office in the city centre is

C.Sundts gt 29

Postboks 7080

5020 Bergen

Tel: 55 96 56 00.

To find your nearest office look up the address in the telephone directory under ‘Trygdeetaten I Hordaland..

It is worth a visit as they have a pile of leaflets in English explaining your rights to social security in Norway.

This includes  sick pay, the dole, children's allowance and in the case of children under 3 years of age who are not attending a state supported nursery, a Kr. 3,000 allowence for the parent staying at home with the child.

For the latest regulations ask the Customs and Excise Office

Tollvesenet in Bergen, Tollbodallm.2A . 5817 Bergen.

Tlf. 55 90 91 00

www.toll.no  Information in English and German

There is a very high import duty on cars. Even if you have owned them for over two years. Veteren cars can be brought in after paying a small fee. Veteren in Norway means over 30 years old.

High taxes on all cars makes them very expensive. As a result there are very many old cars about.

Vehicles have a yearly registration fee of ---Kr. 2755. Also paid into the Customs and Excise Office. You receive a bill (giro ) in the post. After the registration has been paid, They send you a little sticker which you have to stick onto the number plates. The colour changes each year, If you don’t pay by a certain time the police will come around and remove the number plates.

All vehicles have to be EU tested every two years. Veteren cars ever year.

Bro and Tunnelselskap. Bredasm. 15/17

Tlf. 55 55 94 94.  www.brotunnel.no   Text in English

To put it as simply as possible.

There are toll gates all around the centre of Bergen. These are automatic.  There is a charge of Kr. 15 for each car Kr. 30 for lorries every time they pass a toll gate. Motor cycles and electrically driven cars are the exception.

There is a notice in front of  each toll gate saying ‘Do not stop’ But you still have to pay. Car owners are expected to buy an ‘Auto pass’. This costs Kr. 200. If it is lost or stolen you have to buy a new one. If you are leaving the country you can return the auto pass and get a refund. The Kr. 200 is only for the little plastic box which you have to stick on the windshield of the car behind the inside mirror, It gives out a signal every time the car passes a tollgate. Besides Kr. 200 for the little box you have to pay the price of the toll. This varies on how many times you expect to pass the toll gate. If you pre-pay for 25 times there is a 30 percent rebate. 175 times there is a 40 percent rebate and 350 times gives a 50 percent rebate. Invalids with a special blue card do not have to pay the toll.

The toll for crossing the Askøy bridge costs Kr. 100,- Kr. 60 if pre-paid. Invalids have to pay the same prices.

If you pass a toll gate without an auto pass box in you car you will receive a bill in the post and have to pay 10 percent more.

The Auto pass box can be used for all the toll stations in Norway but you will still have to pay the toll extra.

To buy an ‘Auto pass and pay the toll you have to go to the Bro and Tunnel, or at certain petrol stations near the toll gates. (Hydro Texico)

If you have not pre-paid the toll you have to pay at the nearest petrol station. (list on the website.)

Tourists are supposed to do this and of course their pictures will be taken at all the toll gates.  If they have not paid they will eventually receive a bill. If the Bro and Tunnelselskap (which is a private company ) can find their address.

Warning !  Big Brother is watching you. Your car is automatically photographed every time it drives through  a toll gate.

GETTING MARRIED.

Planning to marry a Norwegian ? Make sure you know all your rights. Either married or as a registered partner. Don’t’ sign anything until you are sure you know what you are signing. If in doubt get someone to translate the papers for you. The marriage and inheritance laws are quite different than in the UK. Leaflets in English can be obtained from The Fylkesmann’s office. Kai gate .9

Before marrying you need a marriage licence. In Bergen this is obtained from the Registrar or ‘Byfogden’ . ‘Tinghus’ Tornplass 2 . ( The law courts.)). It is wise to ask in advance what papers are needed in case the laws have changed. Norway has written under the same agreements as the EU countries regarding marriages. You will probably need a passport , birth certificate and a certificate (As a British Citizen) from the British Consulate in Oslo verifying you are free to marry. (You have to pay for this).

Norwegians are not free to marry after a divorce or being widowed unless they can show papers verifying the property of the marriage has been shared out between the partners or in case of a widow /widower any children of the marriage.

You have to decide what form the marriage takes. ‘Sereier’ . Which means that property acquired after the marriage belongs to one or the other partner or ‘Felleseier’ which means that all property is owned jointly. There have been cases of foreigners signing under ‘Sereier’ without realising what it meant. Later when the marriage ended in divorce,they discover the house they have lived in for years is the property of the other party and cannot be shared between them.

SEPERATION AND DIVORCE

The separation papers are obtained from :-

Statenshus,    Kai gate 9.  Postboks 5020 Bergen

Tlf. 55 57 20 00. www.fylkesmannen.hi..no

The people at the office will advise you (best to ring in advance). They have information in English

Divorce is very common in Norway. Incompatibility is the only reason you need. You must be formally separated for one year before the Fylkesmann grants the divorce. If there are children of the marriage the couple must attend special counselling.

In certain cases a divorce can be given on the day by a judge. This only applies in very special cases where one of the partners goes to court because of violence and abuse by the other. etc.

Legal Assistance.

Persons lacking the financial means to obtain ordinary legal councel can obtain free legal aid providing the case involves a legal problem in Norway. The system covers all types of legal cases including divorce.

A list of solicitors in private practice can be found in the Yellow Pages under 'Advokater.'

Jussformidling i Bergen.        The last year law students have established a free legal service.The office is open about 20 weeks a year, during term time.

  Magnus  Lagabøtes Pl. Inngang 1. Sydnesg 22. 5010 Bergen.

Telephone.55 58 96 00.   www.jussformidling.no

One hours consultation with a solicitor can be had every-----------  at the Law courts. Tinghuset.Tornplass 2.

The  offices are in the basement theough a door to the left of the main entrance. Be early. it is a matter of first come , first served.

State compensation.for victims of assault. In certain cases persons who have been injured by violence  can receive compensation from the state. Applcations must be made through the  Fylksemann .

A child born on or after 1 January 1983 to a mother born in the UK is automatically a British Citizen.

A child born abroad before 1 January 1983 to a UK born mother and a foreign father is not British. Nevertheless, the mother can apply to register her child as a British citizen if the application is made before the child’s 18^th birthday.

A child born in wedlock to a UK born father will be a British citizen wherever in the world the child is born.

A child born out of wedlock with a British born father and a Norwegian mother will automatically be a Norwegian citizen..

If the mother is a British citizen because her father was a British citizen but she was born in Norway her child will not be a British citizen unless it is born in Britain. If born in wedlock the child will have the father’s nationality. The problem arises when the child is born out of wedlock. When it can risk being stateless.

A British citizen can legally have two or more nationalities. The Norwegians prefer their citizens to have only one. If they know the child has two nationalities  the Justice department has the right revoke the Norwegian one. Though things have got easier lately.

A child born in wedlock with one British parent and one Norwegian can have dual nationality. It is best to register the child as a Norwegian first then register it at the British Embassy in Oslo.

 Boys who are Norwegian citizens  will be called up to do their national service when they are 19 years old.

THE EMPLOYMENT OFFICE ‘AETAT.’

Free number 800 33 166. www.aetat.no

They usually advise you to contact your local office. The addresses are in the telephone book’s pink pages under AETAT.      You need a job before you can live in Norway for more than three months.

It is advisable to join a union, most of the dues can be deducted from your income tax.

The next step is visit to the UTLENDINGSKONTOR at the main police station .In Bergen this is Allehelgens gate 6. tel: 55 55 67 75.

You have to get official permission to stay in the country more than three months this is Called .’ OPPHOLDSTILLATLSE’ You must appear in person. Prepare for a long wait or be there before 8 AM

Without a job you will not get an 'OPPHOLDSTILLATELSE¨'.

Without an' oppholdstillatelse 'you will be unable to get a SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER known as a ‘PERSON NUMMER’. This is a your date of birth (no privacy here) and ending with five numbers which you will get from the ‘Folkeregister.’. Without this number you will be unable to get insurance for your car or house, or get a telephone number. If your children are British and just arrived they will be unable to start school. Etc. etc.

In Bergen : Valkendorfsgt 6

Postboks 7275, 5020 Bergen.

Tel..    815 8177 33    

When you get a job you have to give your employer a ’Skattekort’ or tax form which tells them how much income tax they have to deduct from your pay. You must get this as soon as possible or the employer has to deduct 50 % of your pay as income tax. If this is too much you will get it refunded but not until the following year.

The ‘Likningskontor’ or ‘Skattekontor ‘ will give you a form to fill out. It is easier to take a trip there in person.

Everyone has to give the ‘Folkeregister’ their latest address. If you change your address you have to inform them of your new of address within six weeks of moving.

Useful vocabulary.

Estate agents . Eeiendomsmegler Look in the yellow pages for a full list.

til Leie  -   To rent

Til kjøp   -  To buy

Til Salgs   -  For sale

Privately owned  -   Selveier

Jointly owned  -   Boligbyggelag / Borettslag

House/home    - Hus / bolig

Detached house  -   Enebolig

Semi-detached   -  Tomannsbolig

Terraced house  -   Rekkehus

Flat /apartment   - Leilighet /Leil

Ground floor flat   -  Hage- or sokkelleilighet

Loftsleilighet  -    Converted loft.

Rooms  - Rom / R

Bed sitter /Studio   - Hybel leilighet or just hybel

Fully furnished  - Fult møblert / møb

Unfurnished  - Umøblert

Partly furnished   - Delvis / del møblert

Contains fridge, stove and washing machine.   -Med hvitevarer

Monthly   - Måned / mnd

Kitchen Kjøkken

Bathroom  -  Bad

Bedroom  -  Soverom

Underfloor heating   -Varmekabler

With    - Med / M

Without   - Uten / U

Depositum  -   Deposit

Electricity included in the rent  -     Med strøm

Electricity not included in the rent   -   Uten strøm

Newly decorated     -  Nyoppusset.

Needs renovating   -    Trengs oppussing / Restaurerings prosjekt

Shared kitchen    -  Deler kjøkken

Building land.  - Tomt.

Including water laid on, a road and sewage.  -- Med vann, vei og kloakk.

Property for rent is advertised in the local newspaper,. If you want something outside the city such as on the islands of Sotra or Askøy it pays to buy a local paper besides the Bergens Tidende or Bergen Avisen. You can advertise for a flat under ‘Ønsker Leie’. You may have more luck if your employer advertises for you.

The Wednesday and Friday editions of Bergens Tidende have a supplement containing houses for sale and some for rent. Otherwise visit the offices of the local Estate agents,  some Banks and the larger Post Offices.

In the long run it pays to buy property. Most of the the interest on a mortgage can be deducted from your income tax. (The interest is at an all time low) This is also the case if you buy a flat in what is called a Boligbbyggelag./ Borettslag. There are a number of large building societies, Vestbo, Stor Bergen. B.O.B.are amongst the largest in the Bergen area. These societies build blocks of flats or terraced houses. To buy a share in one you must become a member. About Kr. 300,- When a flat comes up for sale you have to pay the previous owner the going price but on top you have to pay ‘rent’ to the society . This covers the upkeep of the flats and if the flats are relatively new, the payment on the original mortgages. Their addresses are in the Yellow pages under ‘Bolibyggelag og Borettslag.

The banks will give you a mortgage to buy a flat or house if you have enough collateral.

First time buyers with little or no capital can get a guarantee for a loan from the Kommune or City Council. Before they give this you have to show you have a job and can repay the mortgage.

 Apply to the Boligavdelingen. Domkirke gate 6a. Tel. 55 56 65 76

Before renting or buying a house make sure the contract is in order. It pays to know your rights.

'Forbrukerådet' tel 815 58 200  The Consumer Advice Organization  (The address in Bergen is Østre Muralalm.7 ) Have a very informative website  www.forbrukerportalen.no  In  Norwegian only.)

It has a variety of legal contracts for perspective buyers or sellers of property and tenancy agreements ready to print. and a wealth of information on the law etc.

Many landlords ask for a deposit.  The amount varies but it is never less than one to three month's rent.. The idea is that if the tenant has damaged the property the deposit is kept to pay for the damage. By law the deposit should be put into a closed (sperret) bank account.in the tenant's name. The interest on the money should go to the tenant.

If there are any problems it is worth while taking a visit to the office of the 'Forbrukerådet'  The fact you can quote their advice can often solve the problem.

Building your own house.

For the last few years  the population has  been brainwashed into believing that living in a flat is the only way to live. As a result the price of flats has become sky high especially those in the centre of town and with a glimpse of the sea. You will often get a much better bargain if you buy a detached house on the outskirts of the city. The best buy is one with a ground floor flat or ‘hybel’. If this is smaller than your own living area you can rent this out without having to pay tax on the income.

It is still quite common for people to build their own house in Norway. First you will need a piece of land or ‘Tomt’. These are advertised in the newspapers or through an estate agent. When it says ‘Byggeklar’ or ready for building . It means you can start straight away. The house plans have to be approved by the ‘Kommune’. It is easier to buy what is called a ‘Ferdighus’ from a firm specialising in partly pre- fabricated houses. (They are all in wood.) Look under ‘Hus’in the yellow pages. All these firms produce catalogues  and they have little trouble in getting the plans approved by the planning department in the ‘Kommune’.

WARNING : Travelling with animals takes a few months preparation and costs about Kr. 2000,- £ 200 in vet’s fees.

It is possible to bring animals from the British Isles into Norway and back again as long as they have all the necessary health certificates and a data chip. The same applies for taking animals from Norway to most other countries in Europe. A health certificate from Norway lasts 10 days. If the holiday lasts longer than 10 days a new health certificate is needed from a vet in the country you have been visiting. The certificate must not be more than two days old or the animal will not be allowed into Norway.

It is advisable to contact the embassy or consulates of the countries involved to find out about the latest rules.

For Norway try the Norwegian Animal Health Authority. Postboks 8147 Dep .0033 OSLO Tel. + 23 21 65 00.    http://www.dyrehelsetilsynet.no            post@dyrehelsetilsynet.no

Most of the car ferries to and from Norway allow animals on board with the exception of the ferry to Newcastle. It is better to contact the ferry companies in advance.. The same goes for air flights. It is recommended to use a non- collapsible animal cage.

Folkeuniversitet (Friundervisning). St Jacobs pl.      9, Nygårdstangen

The University of Bergen