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Safety · Norway
Updated September 2026

🔍 A family member is missing — do I have to wait 24 hours before reporting?

Direct answer

No. The 24-hour rule is a myth in every EU country: report to Politiet — anmeldelse (02800) as soon as you are worried, especially for a child, an elderly person, someone ill or someone in crisis. Bring a recent photo, a description of clothes, the phone number and any recent messages. Politiet 02800 / 116 000 (02800) is the missing-persons line for Norway — it supports families, coordinates appeals and works with the police. Støttesenter for kriminalitetsutsatte (politiet) / Kontoret for voldsoffererstatning (800 40 008) is there for the family in the days after.

Call firstPolitiet — anmeldelse
Report toPolitiet 02800 / 116 000
If that failsStøttesenter for kriminalitetsutsatte (politiet) / Kontoret for voldsoffererstatning

🗣️ What to say

"I want to report [name], [age], missing since [date, time]. Last seen at [place] wearing [clothes]. [Medical condition / vulnerability / recent crisis.] Phone [number], last contact [when]. Photo attached. I am worried because [reason]."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Report now: Politiet — anmeldelsePhone or in person; for a child or a vulnerable person, the emergency number. Give the "worry factors" — they set the priority.
  2. Check the obvious in parallelFriends, hospitals, the last known place. Keep a list of who you have called.
  3. Phone and accountsLast location from shared apps, last message, recent transactions — ask the police what they can request.
  4. Missing-persons line: Politiet 02800 / 116 000They help with public appeals and keep contact with the police for the family.
  5. A child abroadThe EU number 116 000 connects to the child-hotline in every member state.

📇 All contacts

Politiet — anmeldelseReport online or via 02800Always — the basis for bank, insurer and platform📞 02800🔗 www.politiet.no/tjenester/anmelde
Politiet 02800 / 116 000Missing persons; 116 000 for childrenImmediately — no 24-hour rule📞 02800🔗 www.politiet.no
Støttesenter for kriminalitetsutsatte (politiet) / Kontoret for voldsoffererstatningFree support and guidance, violent-crime compensationAfter any crime📞 800 40 008🔗 www.politiet.no/tjenester/stottesenter-for-kriminalitetsutsatte
Alarmtelefonen for barn og unge — 116 111 / Kors på halsen24/7 helpline for children and young peopleFor children and teenagers📞 116 111🔗 www.116111.no

❓ Frequently asked

They are an adult and left voluntarily

Adults may go missing by choice; the police check they are safe and, if they wish, tell you only that. A vulnerability or a crisis changes the response — say it.

Can I post an appeal on social media?

Coordinate with the police and Politiet 02800 / 116 000 first; a badly timed appeal can cause harm or be impossible to take down later.

What happens when they are found?

The police inform you, with the person's consent for an adult. Support for the family and the person continues through Støttesenter for kriminalitetsutsatte (politiet) / Kontoret for voldsoffererstatning.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “report missing person Norway”
  • “missing person 24 hours myth”
  • “child missing what to do Norway”
  • “116 000 missing children”
  • “missing family member police”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

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