Statistics Norway has published new figures on immigrants in health and care. They show a sector that already relies on people born abroad. They do not show that the door is open to every applicant.
On 21 October 2026 Statistics Norway (SSB) published the analysis “Hver femte sysselsatt innen helse er innvandrer” (one in five employed in health is an immigrant). According to SSB, immigrants made up 19.5 per cent of employees in health and care in 2025, up from 14.4 per cent in 2015. The figures count employment in November 2025.
The short version: A high immigrant share in health and care shows who already works there, including people who have lived in Norway for years. It does not tell you how easy it is for a new applicant from abroad to get authorised and hired.
SSB adds that immigrants have accounted for a growing share during a period when the shortage of health personnel has grown, and that the shortage is mainly among groups with direct patient contact.
SSB defines an immigrant as a person born abroad to foreign-born parents who is registered as resident in Norway. The group therefore includes refugees and people who moved to Norway long ago, not only recent labour migrants. SSB reports separate counts of labour immigrants in the occupations: 2,100 health care workers, 3,570 nurses and 1,830 doctors.
Most health professions in Norway are regulated, and foreign-educated professionals need authorisation before they can work in the profession. For nurses educated outside the EU/EEA the steps are summarised in our guide on foreign nurses and authorisation, and the difference between regulated and non-regulated work in foreign degree recognition. A residence permit is a separate step; see the skilled worker permit overview. A shortage in a sector does not remove either requirement.
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