The Norwegian government is introducing a series of measures aimed at making general practitioner (GP) services more accessible and better suited to modern healthcare needs — including a major investment in digital consultations.
Under the proposed 2026 national budget, Norway plans to allocate NOK 115 million to renew and strengthen its GP system. A key focus is on digitalisation and new service models that ensure patients can receive care even when their regular doctor is unavailable.
Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre:
“Most people, in 2025, expect their GP service to be digital. The municipal online GP scheme helps to ensure that public GP services are more up-to-date, accessible and flexible.”
Digital GP pilots across municipalities
The government is significantly expanding its online GP pilot scheme, which was first introduced in 2025. The budget for the initiative will grow by NOK 65 million, bringing total funding to approximately NOK 83 million in 2026.
The scheme allows patients to book a digital consultation with another municipal doctor when their own GP is unavailable or appointment times are inconvenient. It aims to make healthcare more responsive, especially in smaller or remote communities where GP shortages are common.
Up to 20 municipalities are expected to take part in the pilot phase, which will be thoroughly evaluated before a nationwide rollout.
Supporting team-based care
Another NOK 50 million will go toward strengthening GP surgeries with multidisciplinary teams, allowing nurses to take on a larger role in patient care. GPs will be reimbursed for consultations carried out by nurses, helping to balance workloads and provide more continuous care.
“In future, healthcare professionals will need to look after more patients than today. We must facilitate effective division of labour among professionals. We must also make it easier to provide healthcare close to where people live,”
says Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre.
Making healthcare free for teenagers
The government also plans to abolish co-payments for 16- and 17-year-olds, covering both GP and out-of-hours services. The goal is to remove financial barriers and allow young people to seek medical help independently.
“Finances should not be a barrier for young people to seek healthcare at a vulnerable stage in life. Without a co-payment, the threshold for seeking help is lower, and young people can receive assistance and treatment earlier, before any problems become more serious than they need to be,”
says Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre.
A shift toward modern, inclusive healthcare
Through these reforms, Norway is combining digital tools and team-based care models to make its GP system more adaptable to current healthcare needs.
The expanded use of online consultations is expected to particularly benefit rural and remote areas, while the multidisciplinary approach helps make the system more resilient.
As the pilot programmes progress, Norway’s experience could provide useful insights for other European countries looking to integrate digital solutions into primary care while maintaining a strong public health foundation.
