General information about the current situation for travel in Norway

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Particularly in the Lofoten Islands and on Senja

For some time now, specialised inspection teams from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen), the police and other authorities have been carrying out checks specifically targeting photography groups and workshops.

Tour guides and tour operators repeatedly claim that, under the rules of the European Economic Area (EEA), they are free to organise and operate tours in Norway. This is not correct, and Norwegian authorities are not persuaded by this argument. The increasing number of detected violations has led to more frequent inspections, creating a cycle of ever-tightening enforcement.

The reality is that each county (fylke) takes a different approach. By far the strictest rules are applied in Troms, where special exemptions are generally not granted.

This has led to a situation in which guests arriving at Evenes Airport in Nordland and travelling to the Lofoten Islands may have to cross the county boundary between Nordland and Troms four times during their journey. Following the failure of the two counties to reach an agreement in early February 2026, a rather extraordinary situation has emerged.

Tour operators who do not have their own vehicle based locally and covered by a valid passenger transport licence (turvognløyve) are no longer permitted to transport their guests through the area governed by Troms County. As a result, local taxi companies transport guests as far as the last boundary crossing between Troms and Nordland, where the tour operator can then take over the group.

Anyone who nevertheless attempts the journey risks a substantial fine and the possibility of having the tour terminated before it has properly begun. In the worst-case scenario, guests may be left stranded on the roadside without a vehicle or a tour guide.

The situation may seem incomprehensible, but this is the current reality. At present, between five and ten photography tours are reportedly being stopped during inspections every day.

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What is required to operate legally in the Lofoten Islands?

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Operating a vehicle with guests in the Lofoten Islands requires a considerable amount of paperwork, as well as investments that can be substantial.

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The requirements include:

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• Establishing a company in Norway in order to obtain a Norwegian identification number and tax registration.

• A medical examination confirming fitness to drive.

• A clean criminal record certificate.

• Passing the Norwegian examination for a passenger transport driving permit (kjøreseddel), which is currently available only in Norwegian.

• Providing a bank guarantee of NOK 56,000 to the relevant county.

• An auditor’s report concerning the tour operator.

• Liability insurance covering tour guests.

• Membership of, and a financial contribution to, the European travel guarantee fund.

• Paying taxes in Norway as required.

• Obtaining special permission to use rental vehicles without a taximeter or taxi roof sign.

• Displaying magnetic signs on the rental vehicle showing the company logo and registration number.

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Only operators who can demonstrate compliance with all applicable requirements may operate legally in the relevant county without risking having their tour terminated during an inspection.

One particularly challenging aspect is that the relevant applications must be submitted separately in each county.

In Troms, which includes travel to Senja and Tromsø, special exemptions are generally not granted. Transporting guests is therefore restricted to operators with their own locally based vehicles and the required turvognløyve.

Whether these requirements are considered sensible or excessive is a matter of opinion. However, they are currently being enforced.

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Why I have chosen to take this route?

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When choosing a tour, focusing solely on the lowest price can mean overlooking whether the operator actually complies with Norwegian regulations. This can lead to a disastrous situation and potentially much higher costs in the end.

I have decided to take this demanding route with my company, ArcticPictures. Thanks to my long-standing connections in Norway and my efforts to learn the language during my doctoral research involving a national park, I was able to pass the required examinations.

ArcticPictures NUF is the additional company I established in Norway. Through this company, I pay taxes in Norway and hold the necessary licences for my operations.

This applies specifically to the counties of Nordland and Finnmark, but not to Troms.

I do not want to expose either my guests or myself to the risk of having a tour terminated in Troms because the required documents or permissions are not in place. I have therefore decided to stop offering tours to Senja and Tromsø.

However, all tours to the Lofoten Islands, Vesterålen and the Varanger Peninsula are covered by the necessary arrangements and can continue to take place without disruption.