Am I allowed to give birth at home in Norway?
Yes — you have the right to choose a planned home birth with a midwife. Under the Health Directorate's guideline, home birth is an option for healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy, a single baby in head presentation and an expected full-term birth — that is, low risk. There is no organised public home-birth service, so you arrange and pay a private midwife yourself. You can apply for a one-time grant for birth outside an institution and the midwife can claim a refund from Helfo. In high-risk cases — such as twins, breech or a previous caesarean — home birth is not an option. If complications arise, you are transferred to hospital.
📋 The rules
- You can choose a planned home birth with a midwife
- For healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy
- A single baby in head presentation, full-term birth
- No organised public service — you pay the midwife
- In high-risk cases home birth is not an option
🔓 Exceptions
- High-risk pregnancies such as twins, breech or a previous caesarean are not suitable
- If complications arise, transfer to hospital is part of the plan
- You can apply for a one-time grant for birth outside an institution
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no penalty — home birth is a lawful choice. The practical consequence is the cost and the requirement that the pregnancy is low-risk.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I give birth at home?
Yes, you can choose a planned home birth with a midwife if the pregnancy is healthy and uncomplicated.
Who can choose a home birth?
Healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy, a single baby in head presentation and an expected full-term birth.
Who pays for a home birth?
You arrange and pay a private midwife yourself, but the midwife can claim a refund from Helfo and you can apply for a grant.
What if complications arise?
You are transferred to hospital. Transfer is a planned part of a home birth.
Can everyone give birth at home?
No. High-risk pregnancies such as twins, breech or a previous caesarean are not suitable for home birth.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
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