About COVID-19 certificate

The COVID-19 certificate shows whether you have been vaccinated, whether you have recently had COVID-19 disease, and your test result if you have recently had a negative COVID-19 test.

How do you access your COVID-19 certificate?

If you have a Norwegian national ID number or a D number, you can access your certificate by logging in to Helsenorge.

Log in using electronic ID. You can use BankID, BankID on a mobile phone, Buypass ID on a smart card, Buypass ID on a mobile phone or Commfides e-ID. Find out more about how you log in to helsenorge.no.

See your COVID-19 certificate

The COVID-19 certificate in the Helsenorge app

You can also easily access the certificate by downloading the Helsenorge app. If you set up a PIN code, facial recognition or fingerprint, you will not need to use the ID port every time you want to retrieve it. You can download the Helsenorge app here (in Norwegian).

From the Helsenorge app, there are two ways to access the certificate:

Checking your COVID-19 certificate, which is a fast way of accessing your digital COVID-19 certificate. Note that in this case you will not have access to print out your certificate. This can only be done in a web browser.
COVID-19 certificate under Healthcare services will take you to Helsenorge’s website. On this website, you will find a printer-friendly version and the option to view your own data in the COVID-19 certificate.

How I bring up the COVID-19 certificate?

You can view the certificate digitally, download it to your mobile phone, PC or tablet, or print out the certificate on paper.

If you do not have the use of a smartphone, PC or tablet and therefore do not have access to helsenorge.no, you can order your COVID-19 certificate by letter or phone.

How to access the COVID-19 certificate in other ways

What can I use my COVID-19 certificate for?

Documentation when travelling

You can use your COVID-19 certificate as documentary proof of vaccination, having had COVID-19 disease, or a negative test result when travelling to countries connected to the EU’s technical solution for the certificate.

Local infection control measures

The national COVID-19 certificate is not currently in use, but it will still be available both because municipalities can use it if they wish, and because it may be appropriate to rapidly introduce (use of) the COVID-19 certificate as a national measure.

If your municipality introduces COVID-19 certificates, you must see the information about this on the municipality's website. The national helpline is unable to answer questions about the local use of COVID-19 certificates.

Illustrated guide for how to use the COVID-19 certificate

The certificate has two control pages

The COVID-19 certificate has two control pages - one for use within Norway, and one for use abroad and at border crossings.

The COVID-19 certificate contains QR codes with information about vaccination status, COVID-19 test results and COVID-19 disease history. You may be asked to present your COVID-19 certificate in situations that require a valid certificate.

When you log in to the certificate and click on “View control page”, you can either click on "Control in Norway" or "Border crossing EU/EEA":

Norway*: The control page for Norway displays either red or green, based on national rules.
EU/EEA: The control page for the EU/EEA , which is intended for use when entering Norway and when travelling to other EU/EEA countries, is blue. You should be aware that the rules concerning validity and the documentation requirements differ from country to country. You must find out the rules that apply in the country you intend to travel to. You will find an overview of this at Re-open EU.

*Use in Norway only covers municipalities which have introduced the use of COVID-19 certificates to enable certain rules to be relaxed in areas where local infection control measures have been introduced.

What is needed for a valid COVID-19 certificate

Different rules within the EU and Norway determine if you have a valid certificate. Green and red certificates only apply to domestic use in Norway. When you travel to other countries in Europe, the information given on the EU/EEA control page – the blue certificate – may be checked.

The rules may be revised in the event of changes linked to the vaccines, the disease itself or the infection situation.

Even if you meet the requirements below, it is not necessarily valid in all countries. You are responsible for finding out what requirements apply in the country you are traveling to.

What does the Norwegian control page show?

- Persons who have received the basic vaccinations without a positive test result:
  - From 7 days after the last dose inclusive with a two-dose vaccine (2 of 2)
  - From 21 days after the last vaccine dose inclusive with a two-dose vaccine (1 of 1)
  - Valid for 270 days
- Persons who have received the basic vaccinations with a positive test result before the first vaccine dose
  - From 7 days after the last dose inclusive if infection occurs at least 21 days before vaccination (1 of 1)
  - Valid for 270 days
- Persons who have received the basic vaccinations with a positive test result after the first vaccine dose
  - From 11 days after a positive test result inclusive if infection occurs more than 21 days after vaccination (1 of 1)
  - Valid for 270 days
- Persons who have recieved a booster vaccine dose
  - From 0 days after the last booster dose inclusive
  - Valid indefinitely
- Positive test result regardless of vaccination
  - From 11 days after a positive test results inclusive. This can be documented via a PCR test, equivalent laboratory analysis or rapid antigen test
  - Valid for 180 days
It should be noted that a self-test is not considered to be sufficient documentation, even if the result is entered in the municipality's self-registration solution.
If you do not meet any of the requirements for a green control page, your control page will be red. A negative test result has no effect on the national control page. Examples of what can result in a red control page:
- You have been partly vaccinated (shown as 1 of 2)
- You are unvaccinated
- You have not received a booster dose and more than 270 days have passed since the last basic vaccination dose
- You have a positive test result from a self-test or antibody test only
- You do not have a positive test result from the last 11 to 180 days

What does the EU/EEA control page show?

The certificate will show the most recent COVID-19 vaccine administered or registered in Norway. You will see detailed information about the type of vaccine, date of vaccination and the position of the vaccine in a series.
More information about how the vaccine dose is counted and displayed can be found here.
A negative test result from a PCR or rapid antigen test will be shown if the test was taken within the last 72 hours. Previous negative test results will not be shown on the certificate. Antibody tests and self-tests will not be shown.
However, you will be able to view all your COVID-19 test results under Test results.
Note that it varies from country to country whether, and if so for how long, a negative test result remains approved.
If you have had COVID-19 disease, your test result from a PCR or rapid antigen test registered in Norway will be shown between 11 and 180 days after a positive test result.
If you test positive again more than 60 days after the first test, the new test result will be shown.
If an antibody test is used as documentary proof of having had COVID-19 disease in combination with vaccination, this will also not be shown on the certificate, even though it provides a basis for "fully vaccinated" status in the COVID-19 certificate after only one vaccine dose.
It is not possible to register test results from previously confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease from abroad in MSIS.
For valid documentation of having had COVID-19 disease, see Test results.
The EU/EEA control page shows your first, middle and last names, and your full date of birth because this information is required at border control where this control page must be used.

How long is the certificate valid for?

Each time you open your COVID-19 certificate, its technical validity (expiry date) will be stated, which is 90 days into the future. This date is sliding, so the next time you go in and view the certificate, it will be valid for another 90 days.
The reason why the COVID-19 certificate is only technically valid for 90 days is to avoid misuse.
There is a difference between how long the certificate is technically valid for and the requirements that must be met for a valid certificate. Medical rules determine whether or not your certificate is valid based on the test and vaccination information that has been registered about you.
The COVID-19 certificate is valid for 180 days (around six months) after you have had COVID-19 disease, 270 days (around nine months) for those who have received the basic vaccinations, and for an unlimited period of time for those who have received a booster dose.
When you enter Norway or travel to other countries in Europe, the information given on the EU/EEA control page – the blue certificate – will be checked.
The rules may change in the event of changes relating to the vaccines, the disease and the infection situation.

New validity period for COVID-19 vaccine:

With effect from 1 February 2022, the EU is introducing a 270-day validity period for fully vaccinated people. This means that people who have the status of fully vaccinated (with either "2 of 2" or "1 of 1" on their certificate) will have a limited validity period of 270 days after their most recent registered vaccine dose. If the validity period on the certificate is about to expire, a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be required in order to extend its validity.
It should be noted that the technical validity will not change, and when you download your certificate, the expiry date will not exceed 90 days.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) does not have an overview of the countries that will introduce this change with effect from 1 February. Check Reopen EU to find out the rules that apply for the country you intend to visit.

Travelling to and from abroad and within Norway

All EU/EEA countries are obliged to accept the COVID-19 certificate as proof of having had COVID-19 disease, vaccination or a negative test result when travelling. Note that each EU country adopts its own rules, and the documentation that is required will vary.

Travelling out of Norway

If you are going to travel abroad, you must find out for yourself which rules apply for entry into the country you are going to, and what kind of documentation is required. For example, countries may use different definitions for what fully vaccinated means. Requirements for vaccine doses and the number of weeks between vaccine doses may vary, as may the rules for quarantine, test requirements and infection control measures.

You will find information on the rules that apply in the various EU/EEA countries at Re-open EU. You should also check the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Reiseklar app.

It is also important that you check that all the information in your certificate is correct well before departure. For example, is the number of vaccine doses correct?

Check the guide for how to use the COVID-19 certificate when crossing borders to other countries in Europe and into Norway (PDF, English).

Use within Norway

Since 19 November 2021, municipalities which have introduced local infection control measures have been able to use COVID-19 certificates to relax certain measures and keep society as open as possible, while allowing municipalities with outbreaks of infection to introduce local measures. Very few municipalities currently use COVID-19 certificates. Check your own municipality to see whether the use of COVID-19 certificates has been introduced.

The control page for use in Norway is either green or red. Your COVID-19 certificate will be valid if the control page is green, which means that you cannot be denied entry to events or venues. If the control page is red, your COVID-19 certificate will not be valid.

Have you found any errors or omissions in your COVID-19 certificate?

If any information is missing or incorrect in your COVID-19 certificate, the certificate may be invalid when you attempt to use it. It can therefore be a good idea to log into the certificate and check that all the information is correct - see below for how to do this:

Can't find your vaccination or test details?

The COVID-19 certificate retrieves the information about vaccines from the Norwegian Immunisation Registry (SYSVAK), which provides an overview of vaccination status for all inhabitants in Norway.

You can check your vaccination status yourself in the vaccination overview at helsenorge.no. If a vaccine dose is only missing from the COVID-19 certificate, and is shown in the vaccination overview, it may mean that the time between administration of the two doses was too short. You must then contact the vaccination centre for further follow-up.

If the vaccination does not appear in the certificate or the vaccination overview, contact the centre where you were vaccinated, so that they can register it or correct the error.
COVID-19 certificates retrieve the information from the MSIS Lab database of tests performed in Norway. The summary shows the last test which was registered for you during the past seven days. You will only be able to see the most recent test if COVID-19 was not detected.

No tests will be shown on this page if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 during the past seven days. This also applies if the laboratory was unable to obtain a definite result from your last test. On the test results page, you can see all the COVID-19 tests you have had.

If you have had a COVID-19 test during the last seven days where COVID-19 was not detected and you still cannot find the test in this summary, the test may not have been registered. You can then contact the centre where you took the COVID-19 test and ask whether they have registered the result of your test.
- You will normally be protected if you have had COVID-19 disease during the past six months. Note that your COVID-19 disease history will only be shown on the certificate for six months after the first positive test result.
- For some people, it will unfortunately not automatically be possible to show that you are protected. This could for example be because it was not possible to automatically interpret your previous COVID-19 test results.
- Contact the test centre or the laboratory concerned if you can see your test result on the test results page on helsenorge.no, but it is neither confirmed nor unconfirmed.

Can children get a COVID-19 certificate?

The COVID-19 certificate works in the same way for children as for adults. Children can be issued with a valid COVID-19 certificate based on a negative test result, after having had COVID-19 disease or after being vaccinated. Find out more about COVID-19 certificates for children and adolescents at NIPH (in Norwegian).

If you are a parent or guardian of children under the age of 16, you can access their COVID-19 certificates by logging in to Helsenorge. The child’s health information is also available here. Select the child you want to retrieve the certificate for, click on the "View control page" button and choose whether you want to view, download or print the certificate. Children and adolescents under the age of 16 do not need a COVID-19 certificate for use within Norway.

COVID-19 certificate for children aged between 16 and 18

In the case of children aged between 16 and 18, you will not normally be able to access their COVID-19 certificate, unless they have given you power of attorney.

Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds must obtain an electronic ID, either BankID, Buypass or Commfides, in order to log in and download their own COVID-19 certificate on Helsenorge.

Guide: COVID-19 certificates for children

How do I retrospectively register COVID-19 vaccinations which I have had outside Norway?

You can have COVID-19 vaccinations which you have received abroad retrospectively registered in SYSVAK, regardless of where you were vaccinated, provided the vaccines concerned are approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The vaccines approved by the EMA are those from Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax. Some vaccines are pre-approved by the World Health Organization and these vaccines can also be retrospectively registered. These are: Covishield, Coronavac, Covovax, Sinopharm BIBP and Covaxin.

You must pay for the consultation yourself to retrospectively register the COVID-19 vaccination.

In order to retrospectively register COVID-19 vaccinations, you must have a Norwegian national ID number or D number.

How do I retrospectively register COVID-19 vaccinations in SYSVAK?

Registration can be carried out before you travel to Norway. Request a consultation (e-consultation/video conference consultation where possible) with either

your GP
the municipal health service, or
a private health service

What type of documentation will I need to show?

COVID-19 certificate issued in the EU/EEA, or
Written documentation of vaccination

Your GP, the municipal health service or the private health service will assess whether the documentation is sufficient. The documentation must contain all the variables that are mandatory in SYSVAK registrations: Identification number, date of vaccination and vaccine. Batch number, vaccinator and signature or stamp.

Health professionals are not obliged to retrospectively register COVID-19 vaccines administered outside Norway.

Updating of COVID-19 certificates

The information will be shown in your COVID-19 certificate after a certain period of time. This can range from just a few seconds after registration to 24 hours, depending on the type of medical record system used by your GP, the municipal health service or the private health service.

Retrospectively registering positive COVID-19 test results from abroad

It is not possible to retrospectively register previous positive COVID-19 test results from abroad in MSIS. Information in MSIS is regulated by the MSIS Regulation. MSIS contains information about persons in Norway, so it does not allow for the registration of test results from other countries for persons who are no longer ill.

The duty to notify MSIS only applies to health professionals, and the results of COVID-19 tests are notified to MSIS by Norwegian laboratories based on notification criteria, in line with the duty to notify in Section 2-3 of the MSIS Regulation. Find answers to other common problems about COVID-19 certificates on NIPH's website.

Since the EU recommended the introduction of a validity period for basic vaccination from 1 February 2022, the requirements for displaying doses have changed. Anyone who had the display “1 of 1” following basic vaccination and later received a booster dose may be affected by this change if they ordered a printout before the new display rule took effect (before 17 January 2022). The display after a booster dose for this group should be “2 of 1". If you are in any doubt about whether the information is displayed correctly for you, you can order a new printout via Helfo.

Different dates of birth in the COVID-19 certificate and passport?

A few people may have different dates of birth in their COVID-19 certificate and passport. This is because you have been assigned a national ID number or D number which does not contain an actual date of birth, but the date of registration on which you were assigned a number in the National Population Register. Everyone who is affected by this will be notified by the National Population Register at the time the number is assigned.

How to obtain confirmation that the dates do not match

If this applies to you, you may need confirmation explaining why the date of birth in your COVID-19 certificate does not match that in your passport.

You can contact the Norwegian Tax Administration to obtain this confirmation. This confirmation will be issued in Norwegian and English.

Correcting the date of birth in the National Population Register

You can also apply to have your correct date of birth registered. Depending on which group you belong to, you must apply to either the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) or the Norwegian Tax Administration.

You can see who to contact and what you need to do to register the correct date of birth on the Norwegian Tax Administration's website (only in Norwegian).

What if I have changed or been issued with a Norwegian ID number while I have been ill or been vaccinated?

In some cases, people who have changed or recently been issued with a Norwegian ID number can experience difficulty obtaining a COVID-19 certificate.

Some of the discrepancies appear to arise because the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) and the municipalities use different population registers to link vaccination/test results to individuals. This creates problems when retrieving health data which has been reported by the municipalities to NIPH’s central health registries.

This could for example affect people who have received their first vaccine dose at a time when they had a D number and then received their national ID number before their next vaccine dose. Both vaccines will then not always be appear under the updated ID number because the population register sources differ.

It is now recommended that you make the vaccination or test centre aware of this problem.

A check should first be made to determine which ID number the registration(s) are shown under.
Health professionals must contact NIPH to arrange for registrations and ID numbers to be checked.
In some cases, health professionals may delete registrations linked to an old ID number and re-register them under the correct ID number if this is available in the source.
Work is under way to identify solutions to these discrepancies. In the meantime, you must attempt to contact the health service, who will then consider contacting NIPH.

How long should we use the certificate for?

You must stop using your COVID-19 certificate when the infection level and vaccination situation indicates that restrictions are no longer needed.

Can I delete my COVID-19 certificate?

The COVID-19 certificate shown on Helsenorge retrieves health data from NIPH, following a request for a COVID-19 certificate from a user. The COVID-19 certificate will not be stored, unless you as a user actively store it yourself or download a copy in the Helsenorge app. If you have saved or downloaded it, you can delete it yourself.

When you use health services in Norway, information about you will be entered in various health registries. The information used in the COVID-19 certificate is part of your health data which is stored by NIPH in the National Immunisation Registry (SYSVAK) and the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases (MSIS).

Privacy and the COVID-19 certificate

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) is the controller for personal data about you in connection with any use of your COVID-19 certificate.

The legal basis for COVID-19 certificates is the Norwegian Infection Control Act and two EU Regulations.

Here, you will find more information about how personal data about you in your COVID-19 certificate is processed (in Norwegian) and your rights.