Am I allowed to give blood in Norway?
Yes, if you meet the requirements to become a blood donor. You must be healthy, registered as resident and able to answer the questionnaire in Norwegian. The age limit is at least 18, and at most 60 at first donation — and here is where people go wrong: the 60-year limit applies to the first donation, not to donating as such. Established donors over 65 continue with an annual doctor's assessment. You must weigh at least 50 kg, and you can give blood up to 4 times a year. After a tattoo, piercing or permanent make-up there is a 6-month quarantine, travel in a malaria area means up to 1 year's quarantine, and pregnancy means 12 months' quarantine after birth. Blood donation is voluntary and unpaid.
📋 The rules
- Age at least 18, at most 60 at first donation
- Weight at least 50 kg
- After a tattoo: 6-month quarantine
- You can give blood up to 4 times a year
- Blood donation is voluntary and unpaid
🔓 Exceptions
- Travel in a malaria area means up to 1 year quarantine
- Pregnancy means a 12-month quarantine after birth
- Certain chronic diseases and injecting drug use mean permanent exclusion
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no penalty — blood donation is voluntary and unpaid, and you cannot do anything wrong by coming forward. The consequence is different: if you do not meet the requirements, you are deferred or excluded from giving blood. The quarantines are the commonest stopping points, and they last longer than people expect: 6 months after a tattoo, piercing or permanent make-up, up to 1 year after travel in a malaria area, and 12 months after birth. Certain chronic illnesses and injecting drug use mean permanent exclusion, and over 65 you can only continue with an annual doctor's assessment.
📎 Official sources
- Helsenorge · Become a blood donor →
- Health Directorate · Blood donation →
- Red Cross · Rules for blood donation →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I give blood?
Yes, if you are healthy, between 18 and 60 at first donation, weigh at least 50 kg and can answer the questionnaire in Norwegian. You must also be registered as resident, and the 60-year limit applies only to that very first donation.
How much must I weigh?
At least 50 kg, and one donation is around 450–500 ml. The weight requirement is tied to the amount taken, and it applies however healthy you otherwise are — you can give blood up to 4 times a year.
Can I give blood after a tattoo?
Not right away. After a tattoo, piercing or permanent make-up there is a 6-month quarantine, and travel in a malaria area can mean up to 1 year's quarantine. The quarantine applies even if you are otherwise perfectly healthy.
How often can I give blood?
Up to 4 times a year, and blood donation is voluntary and unpaid. The 60-year age limit applies only to the first donation — established donors can continue longer, and over 65 with an annual doctor's assessment.
Can I give blood when pregnant?
No. You cannot give blood during pregnancy, and after the birth there is a 12-month quarantine. The quarantine runs from the birth, so it is not over simply because the pregnancy is behind you.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I give blood norway”
- “blood donor age 18 60”
- “blood donor weight 50 kg”
- “blood donor quarantine tattoo”
- “give blood 4 times year”
- “blood donation voluntary”