Every year, residents of Norway change their fastlege – the state-assigned general practitioner – more than 200 000 times. Most do so for one of five reasons. But Norwegian research also shows that switching GPs is not always in your best health interest. Here's what foreign residents in Drammen need to know before changing their doctor.
In Norway, every legal resident is entitled to a fastlege (GP/family doctor) through the national GP scheme (fastlegeordningen). You can change your GP up to twice per calendar year via Helsenorge.no using BankID. The change takes effect on the 1st of the following month.
1. Relocation is the most common reason
When you move within Norway, you keep your right to a GP – but your old GP may suddenly be far away. If you've moved to Drammen from another city, or between neighbourhoods within Drammen, a change often makes practical sense. See our guide for newcomers: New to Drammen? How to find a GP.
Note: according to the Norwegian Directorate of Health, average waiting time for your preferred GP has grown from 122 days in 2019 to 274 days in 2024. If you know you'll be moving soon, start looking at available lists early.
2. You need a GP with specific expertise
All Norwegian fastleger are trained general practitioners, but many have additional competence in areas such as mental health, women's health, sports medicine or geriatric care. If your situation changes – a new diagnosis, pregnancy, chronic condition – it can be valuable to have a GP with relevant expertise.
At Hotvet legesenter, our six GPs together bring broad experience across general medicine, mental health, women's health and paediatric follow-up. See our team for each doctor's areas of focus. Several of our staff speak English fluently.
3. Accessibility and waiting time
Do you rarely get an appointment when you need one? Does the phone ring for 20 minutes before anyone answers? Is it hard to reach anyone for anything beyond prescription renewals? These are among the most common reasons to switch – and they're legitimate. A good GP should be reachable when you actually need an assessment, not only for routine follow-up.
Signs of good accessibility:
- How quickly phone calls are answered
- Typical waiting time for a non-urgent appointment
- Availability of e-consultations and video consultations
- Whether same-day appointments are possible for urgent issues
4. The chemistry between you and your doctor
This sounds soft but is medically relevant: feeling safe and heard at your GP is one of the strongest predictors of whether you'll actually seek care when you need it. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health's PASOPP survey shows that patients who experience good communication with their GP have better treatment adherence and better health outcomes over time.
This is especially important for international residents. Being able to communicate nuances about your health – in a language you're comfortable with – matters. If consultations with your current doctor consistently feel rushed, dismissive or lost in translation, that is a real reason to consider a change.
5. Your doctor leaves or reduces their list
This is the only involuntary reason. Your GP retires, moves or reduces the number of patients on their list – and you are automatically assigned to a substitute or asked to choose a new one. In these cases, Helfo grants you an extra switch beyond your usual two per year.
But is changing always the right choice?
Here's where we must be careful. Research published via the Norwegian Medical Association's General Practice Research Fund shows that patients who change GP more often than necessary consult general practitioners and hospitals more frequently in the years that follow. Continuity – having the same doctor over time – is associated with better outcomes, lower mortality and fewer hospital admissions.
That doesn't mean you should stay with a GP who doesn't serve you well. It means you should change with purpose, not out of frustration.
1. Have I raised the problem directly with my current GP? 2. Is the issue structural (accessibility, phone, waiting room) or personal (communication, trust)? 3. Have I compared the alternatives realistically? 4. Is something changing in my life that makes a new GP a natural fit?
If you decide to change
The actual process is simple. On Helsenorge.no you can change your GP in about three minutes with BankID. The change takes effect on the 1st of the following month, and your medical record is transferred automatically with your consent.
See our full step-by-step guide: Changing your GP in Drammen – step by step.
Considering a change?
Hotvet legesenter opens in June 2026 at Rosenkrantzgata 75, central Drammen. Our six GPs have open lists – and several speak English.
See available GP spots