Question: We are both fully vaccinated; what are the rules for our children travelling with us to Norway? 

This is a question many families are asking as more and more people across Europe are becoming fully vaccinated. This has opened up new travel possibilities for those wishing to travel to Norway, which had effectively closed its borders to all non-residents and citizens for the best part of six months. 

Possessing a Norwegian or European health pass is perhaps the most hassle-free way to travel to Norway as those who have been fully vaccinated or had Covid in the previous six months and can prove so via a EU or Norwegian vaccine certificate can enter without being forced to quarantine or obliged to test at the border and before arriving. 

However, children typically don’t have access to Norwegian or EU health passes, so what are the rules for them when travelling with their parents? 

What are the rules? 

Previously, children were not granted an exemption from quarantine or entry restrictions even if their parents had been vaccine pass holders.

This meant, for example, if the parents were exempt from entry restrictions into Norway, their children wouldn’t be able to travel with them as they wouldn’t be allowed to enter Norway. 

This also meant families returning to Norway would also have to undergo quarantine even if they were fully vaccinated because their children weren’t. 

That has since changed, however, and as of July 26th children, aged under 18 can travel to Norway and be exempt from any entry restrictions and requirements if their parents are EU or Norwegian Covid certificate holders. 

This opens up the possibility for whole families to travel to Norway now rather than just individual health pass users. 

This means families travelling using EU and Norwegian health passes arriving from countries that require quarantine are not obligated to do so. This also means that children are also exempt from entry registration and testing before and on arrival in Norway if their parents have a valid EU or Norwegian health certificate. 

The rule applies both to children and step-children. 

EXPLAINED: Will Norway accept Covid-19 vaccine passes from the UK?

Before the rules change, one of the few ways an entire family could travel together to Norway was if they were travelling from a green country, a country with low enough infections that allowed safe quarantine free entry into Norway. You can read more about green countries here. 

This is because entry was admitted to arrivals from green countries, vaccine pass holders, and the close family and partners of Norwegian residents and citizens from within the EEA (European countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), the UK or Norway’s purple list. 

However, before you book a trip to Norway with the intention of bringing children with you as a vaccine pass holder, it is also essential to check into the rules of the country you are returning to and what entry requirements will apply to you upon your return.