Norway Phone Numbers: Format, +47 Country Code & Validation Guide (2025)

Master the Norwegian telephone numbering system for building applications that interact with Norwegian users. Norway uses the +47 country code with a unified 8-digit format for all phone numbers – no area codes required. This guide covers Norwegian phone number formatting, E.164 validation, emergency service requirements (110, 112, 113), and regulatory compliance details essential for developers working with Norwegian telecommunications and Nkom regulations.

Quick Reference

Important: All emergency numbers must be accessible without unlocking devices and must transmit location data automatically where available. This is not just a best practice, but a legal requirement the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) enforces. As of March 2025, the Emergency Alert system uses Advanced Mobile Location (AML) technology, which exists in almost all mobile phones, to automatically determine location and display alerts based on the device's position.

Understanding the Norwegian Numbering System

Nkom (https://nkom.no/english/numbering-resources) oversees Norway's telephone numbering system and delivers simplicity and efficiency. As the regulatory body, Nkom allocates numbering resources, ensures compliance with international standards, and promotes competition within the telecommunications market. This oversight maintains system stability and future-proofing. For context on international telephone number standards, see our E.164 phone format guide.

Obtaining Number Allocations: To obtain Norwegian numbering resources, submit an application to Nkom at firmapost@nkom.no including: organization name, address, telephone number, and Norwegian organization number; contact person details; network/service description; planned launch date; and documentation of resource needs. Nkom processes applications within 3 weeks for pre-reserved numbers, with potential 3-week extensions for auction-based allocations. Assignment fees apply per the Regulations relating to administrative charges payable to Nkom.

Key features:

• Unified 8-Digit Format: All Norwegian numbers, whether fixed-line or mobile, follow a consistent 8-digit structure, simplifying dialing and number management.
• No Area Codes: Norway doesn't use area codes, streamlining dialing procedures nationwide.
• Full Number Portability: Users retain their numbers when switching carriers, fostering competition and benefiting consumers.
• E.164 Compliance: The system adheres to the E.164 international standard, ensuring global interoperability critical for international calls and messaging.

Norwegian Phone Number Structure and Implementation

General Format

Norwegian numbers strictly adhere to the E.164 standard:

• International Format: +47 XXXXXXXX
• Domestic Format: XXXXXXXX
• Total Length: 8 digits (11 with country code)

Common Formatting Mistakes and Solutions

Avoid these frequent errors when handling Norwegian phone numbers:

• Incorrect: Including leading zeros (0 23456789) – Norwegian numbers have no national prefix
• Incorrect: Adding parentheses or spaces inconsistently (+47 (23) 456-789)
• Incorrect: Omitting country code for international storage (23456789 instead of +47 23456789)
• Incorrect: Using area code logic (treating 23 as a separate area code)
• Correct Format: +47 23456789 (international) or 23456789 (domestic)

Best Practices:

• Always store numbers in E.164 format (+47XXXXXXXX) in databases
• Strip all non-digit characters except the leading + before validation
• Validate total length: exactly 8 digits after country code
• Handle user input gracefully: accept spaces/hyphens but normalize before storage

Geographic Numbers

Geographic numbers, used for fixed lines, utilize regional indicators within the first digits:

• 2X: Oslo Region (21, 22 for primary business districts; 23, 24 for greater Oslo)
• 3X: Eastern Norway (31, 32 for major cities; 33, 35, 37, 38 for rural areas)
• 5X-7X: Other Regions (5X for Western, 6X for Central, 7X for Northern Norway)

Practical Use: You might need to distinguish geographic from mobile numbers for SMS delivery routing (different carrier rates), compliance with do-not-call regulations (which sometimes apply differently to mobile vs. fixed), or user interface hints (displaying appropriate icons/labels). However, with Norway's complete number portability, carrier identification by prefix is unreliable; use Nkom's number portability database for accurate routing decisions.

Norwegian Mobile Number Ranges

Mobile numbers fall primarily within the 4X and 9X series:

• 4X Series:
  • 40-41: Telenor
  • 45-46: Telia
  • 47-48: Ice and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)
• 9X Series:
  • 90-91: Legacy Telenor blocks
  • 92-93: Legacy Telia blocks
  • 94-99: Mixed carrier allocation

Note: Due to full number portability, these prefix-to-carrier mappings represent original allocations only. Current carrier ownership differs after porting.

Special Service Numbers

Norway allocates specific 8-digit ranges for non-geographic special services:

Toll-Free Numbers (800 Series):

• Format: 800 XX XXX (8 digits total)
• Cost: Free for callers from both fixed and mobile networks
• Use Cases: Customer service hotlines, business support lines
• Example: +47 800 12 345

Premium Rate Numbers (820 Series):

• Format: 820 XXXXX (per-minute) or 820 4XXXX (per-call)
• Cost: 3.50–26.00 NOK per minute OR 25–200 NOK per call
• Network: Available on fixed and mobile (excluding prepaid cards)
• Restrictions: Maximum 20 minutes per call (per-minute) or 60 seconds (per-call)
• Use Cases: Payment services, business services, customer care
• Prohibited: Entertainment, gambling, dialer services

Other Special Numbers (02000-09999):

• Format: 5-digit non-geographic numbers
• Categories: Non-commercial public services (Category F: NOK 2,700/year) and commercial services (Categories A-E: NOK 21,700–121,700/year based on assumed market value)
• Use Cases: National helplines, taxi services, commercial customer support

For special number allocation, contact Nkom with service description and intended use.

IoT and M2M Numbers

Norway provides dedicated number ranges for machine-to-machine communication:

12-Digit M2M/IoT Numbers:

• Range: 58 00 00 00 00 00 to 58 99 99 99 99 99
• Format: +47 58 XXXXXXXXXX (12 digits after country code)
• Use Cases: Fleet management, smart metering, eCall, connected devices (smartwatches, tablets), multi-SIM subscriptions
• Geographic Exception: These 12-digit M2M/IoT numbers can be used permanently outside Norway under Numbering Regulations section 16 exemption

8-Digit M2M/IoT Numbers:

• Range: 59 00 00 00 to 59 99 99 99
• Format: +47 59 XXXXXX (8 digits after country code)
• Use Cases: IoT services requiring standard 8-digit format
• Geographic Restriction: Subject to domestic use requirements like standard numbers

Allocation Requirements: Allocate mobile numbers (4X/9X series) only to full mobile telephone services offering voice, SMS, and data. Services like mobile broadband, fleet control, or smart metering must use M2M/IoT number ranges.

Technical Validation for Norwegian Phone Numbers

Validate Norwegian numbers using these regular expressions for robust number verification:

// Complete validation (with country code)
const norwegianNumberPattern = /^\+47[2-9]\d{7}$/;

// Mobile-specific validation
const mobilePattern = /^(4[0-8]|9\d)\d{6}$/;

// Geographic number validation
const geographicPattern = /^([2-3,5-7]\d)\d{6}$/;

// M2M/IoT 12-digit validation
const m2mPattern = /^58\d{10}$/;

// Example usage
function validateNorwegianNumber(number) {
    const cleanNumber = number.replace(/[\s-]/g, ''); // Remove whitespace and hyphens
    return norwegianNumberPattern.test(cleanNumber);
}

Best Practice: While regex provides a good starting point, use a dedicated phone number validation library for comprehensive and robust validation, especially when handling user input. This catches edge cases and ensures data integrity.

Multi-Language Validation Examples

Python (using phonenumbers library):

import phonenumbers
from phonenumbers import NumberParseException

def validate_norwegian_number(number):
    try:
        parsed = phonenumbers.parse(number, "NO")
        return phonenumbers.is_valid_number(parsed)
    except NumberParseException:
        return False

# Usage
valid = validate_norwegian_number("+47 23456789")  # True
valid = validate_norwegian_number("23456789")       # True with region hint

PHP (using libphonenumber-for-php):

use libphonenumber\PhoneNumberUtil;
use libphonenumber\NumberParseException;

$phoneUtil = PhoneNumberUtil::getInstance();
try {
    $number = $phoneUtil->parse("+4723456789", "NO");
    $isValid = $phoneUtil->isValidNumber($number);
} catch (NumberParseException $e) {
    $isValid = false;
}

Go (using libphonenumber-go):

import "github.com/nyaruka/phonenumbers"

func validateNorwegianNumber(number string) bool {
    num, err := phonenumbers.Parse(number, "NO")
    if err != nil {
        return false
    }
    return phonenumbers.IsValidNumber(num)
}

Validation Troubleshooting

Common Validation Errors:

Debugging Steps:

1. Log the raw input and cleaned number (digits only)
2. Verify country code detection (should be +47 or NO region)
3. Check digit count after country code (must be 8 for standard numbers, 12 for M2M)
4. Validate first digit is in range 2-9
5. For mobile validation, confirm first two digits are 40-48 or 90-99

Recommended Validation Libraries

Recommendation: Use libphonenumber (or language-specific port) for production applications requiring robust international support. For Norwegian-only validation with size constraints, custom regex validation is acceptable but less resilient to numbering plan changes.

Norwegian Emergency Services: Technical Requirements

Norway's emergency service numbers (110, 112, 113) must meet specific technical criteria:

• Accessibility: Available without a SIM card, functional on locked devices, and accessible even in low-coverage areas (if any signal is available).
• Location Services: Automatic transmission of location data using Advanced Mobile Location (AML) with enhanced accuracy in urban areas and fallback positioning methods in other areas. The "Hjelp 113" app (developed by Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation) provides additional location transmission capabilities, displaying coordinates and utilizing mobile phone calling functions.
• Network Priority: Guaranteed network access, priority routing, and redundant routing paths to ensure connection reliability.
• Service Coordination: All emergency services can notify each other and forward calls to another emergency service if necessary, ensuring the right response team is dispatched.

Emergency Service Numbers Format: Emergency numbers are 3 digits long and start with the number "1" for easy recognition and dialing.

Advanced Mobile Location (AML) Implementation

AML activates automatically when users dial emergency numbers (110, 112, 113). Here's how it works:

Technical Process:

1. Emergency number detected on device
2. Device automatically enables Wi-Fi and location services (if disabled)
3. Location determined via GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS) or Wi-Fi positioning
4. Location data transmitted via SMS and/or HTTPS POST to emergency services
5. Wi-Fi and location services return to previous state

Developer Considerations:

• Detection: Recognize emergency numbers (regex: ^1(10|12|13)$) and avoid interfering with system handling
• Testing: Never place actual emergency calls for testing; use test environments your carriers provide
• Standards Compliance: AML follows ETSI TS 103 625 standard; Norway deployed AML nationwide as of 2025
• Data Format: Location sent includes latitude, longitude, accuracy radius, and timestamp
• Fallback: If GNSS unavailable, cell tower triangulation and Wi-Fi positioning provide backup location data

Regulatory Requirements: All smartphones sold in EU (including Norway) since March 2022 must support AML per Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. Do not block or interfere with AML functionality in your applications.

Norwegian Telecommunications Regulatory Compliance

Number Portability Requirements

Nkom mandates number portability across all Norwegian carriers. Adhere to these timelines:

• Mobile: Completion within 3 days (T+3) of submission.
• Fixed-Line: Completion within 5 days (T+5) of submission.

Note: In practice, some providers complete porting within 1–7 business days, though regulatory requirements specify T+3 for mobile and T+5 for fixed-line as maximum timeframes.

Porting Process:

1. Customer initiates request with recipient provider (not donor)
2. Recipient provider submits porting request to donor provider
3. Donor provider validates request and confirms or rejects within 1 business day
4. Porting executed during agreed maintenance window (typically 00:00-06:00)
5. Confirmation sent to customer upon completion

Common Rejection Reasons:

• Outstanding balances on donor account
• Contract termination date not reached
• Incorrect customer identification details
• Number not eligible for porting (e.g., temporary promotional numbers)

Application Handling: Query Nkom's number portability database to determine current carrier. Do not rely on number prefix for carrier identification. During porting (typically 4-12 hours), numbers experience brief service interruptions; implement retry logic for failed SMS/call attempts.

Geographic Usage Restrictions

Under Numbering Regulations section 16, Norwegian numbering resources cannot be provided for use permanently outside Norway. This means:

• Domestic Use Requirement: Use Norwegian phone numbers within Norway's territorial boundaries.
• Temporary International Use: Short-term international use (e.g., roaming) is permitted, but permanent relocation of number services outside Norway violates regulations.
• Compliance Verification: Service providers must verify that numbers are not being permanently used outside Norwegian territory.

Clarification on "Temporary" vs "Permanent":

• Temporary Use (Permitted): International roaming by Norwegian subscribers traveling abroad; temporary business trips; short-term stays (typically under 6 months continuous)
• Permanent Use (Prohibited): Call centers permanently located abroad using Norwegian numbers; services with no physical Norwegian presence; numbers used continuously outside Norway for 6+ months
• M2M Exception: 12-digit M2M/IoT numbers (58 series) are explicitly exempted and can be used permanently outside Norway

Technical Compliance Measures:

• Monitor origination/termination patterns for geographic anomalies
• Track roaming duration and flag continuous international use exceeding 6 months
• Implement location verification for customer registration
• Maintain service delivery infrastructure within Norwegian territory

For questions regarding numbering regulations, contact Nkom at +47 22 82 46 00 or firmapost@nkom.no.

Compliance Monitoring

Implement these monitoring practices:

• Usage Tracking: Generate monthly reports on number allocation, utilization statistics, and porting success rates.
• Technical Audits: Conduct quarterly compliance checks, system performance monitoring, and emergency services testing.

Tip: Maintain detailed logs of all number-related operations for regulatory compliance and troubleshooting. This simplifies audits and helps identify potential issues.

Log Retention Requirements:

• Call Detail Records (CDR): Minimum 12 months retention per Norwegian telecommunications regulations
• Number Assignment Records: Retain for duration of assignment plus 3 years
• Porting Transaction Logs: 2 years minimum
• Emergency Call Records: 5 years minimum with special handling for privacy

Compliance Reporting to Nkom:

• Annual Reports (Due February 1): Number series utilization, percentage of active/reserved/available numbers, porting statistics (in/out), forecasted needs for next 3 years
• Format: Structured data per number series showing allocation efficiency
• Penalties: Failure to report may result in withdrawal of underutilized number ranges per Numbering Regulations section 12

ITU-T Standards and Norwegian Compliance

Norway adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard, ensuring seamless integration with global telecommunications networks. This includes:

• Strict E.164 format: All numbers follow the +47 country code prefix and the 8-digit subscriber number format.
• Advanced Routing Mechanisms: Norway utilizes global routing tables, a number portability database, and strategic interconnection points for efficient call routing.
• Next-Generation Technology Integration: Norway has dedicated number ranges for IoT (Internet of Things) devices and M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication, ensuring scalability and future-proofing.
• Robust Security Infrastructure: Nkom enforces security protocols for fraud prevention, number range protection, and regular audits.

Fraud Prevention Best Practices:

• Implement CLI (Calling Line Identification) validation to detect spoofed numbers
• Monitor for unusual traffic patterns (e.g., sudden spikes to premium numbers)
• Use STIR/SHAKEN protocols for call authentication where available
• Maintain blacklists of known fraudulent number ranges
• Report suspicious activity to Nkom for investigation
• Validate caller identity before processing high-value transactions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Norway's country code for international calls?

A: Norway's country code is +47. To call Norway from abroad, dial +47 followed by the 8-digit phone number. Norway doesn't use area codes, so all numbers follow the format +47 XXXXXXXX (where X represents the 8-digit subscriber number).

Q: How do I format Norwegian phone numbers correctly?

A: Norwegian phone numbers use a unified 8-digit format. For international format, use +47 followed by 8 digits (e.g., +47 12345678). For domestic format within Norway, dial the 8 digits directly without any prefix. Norway doesn't use area codes or national prefixes, simplifying the formatting process.

Q: Do Norway phone numbers have area codes?

A: No, Norway doesn't use area codes. All Norwegian phone numbers – whether fixed-line or mobile – follow a consistent 8-digit structure without regional area codes. This unified system streamlines dialing procedures nationwide and simplifies number management.

Q: What are Norway's emergency numbers?

A: Norway has three emergency numbers: 110 for Fire, 112 for Police, and 113 for Medical/Ambulance. All emergency numbers are 3 digits starting with "1" and must be accessible without unlocking devices or having a SIM card. As of March 2025, emergency calls automatically transmit location data using Advanced Mobile Location (AML) technology.

Q: How do I validate Norwegian phone numbers in my application?

A: Use the E.164 format validation: Norwegian numbers must start with +47 followed by 8 digits beginning with 2-9. For mobile numbers specifically, validate the pattern +47 followed by either 40-48 or 90-99, then 6 more digits. Use a dedicated phone number validation library like libphonenumber for comprehensive edge case handling and data integrity.

Q: Can I keep my Norwegian phone number when switching carriers?

A: Yes, Norway has full number portability. Nkom mandates mobile number porting within 3 days (T+3) of submission, while fixed-line porting takes up to 5 days (T+5). In practice, some providers complete porting within 1–7 business days.

Q: What mobile number ranges are used in Norway?

A: Norwegian mobile numbers use the 4X series (40-41 for Telenor, 45-46 for Telia, 47-48 for Ice and MVNOs) and 9X series (90-91 for legacy Telenor, 92-93 for legacy Telia, 94-99 for mixed carrier allocation). All mobile numbers follow the 8-digit format.

Q: Can I use a Norwegian phone number permanently outside Norway?

A: No. Under Numbering Regulations section 16, you cannot use Norwegian numbering resources permanently outside Norway. Temporary international use (such as roaming) is permitted, but permanent relocation of number services outside Norwegian territory violates Nkom regulations. Exception: 12-digit M2M/IoT numbers (58 series) can be used permanently outside Norway.

Q: What is the E.164 format for Norwegian phone numbers?

A: The E.164 format for Norwegian numbers is +47 followed by 8 digits (total of 11 characters including the country code). Example: +47 23456789. This international standard ensures global interoperability for calls and messaging. All Norwegian numbers strictly adhere to E.164 compliance.

Q: How long does it take to port a phone number in Norway?

A: Regulatory requirements specify mobile number porting within 3 days (T+3) and fixed-line porting within 5 days (T+5) of submission. These are maximum timeframes Nkom mandates. In practice, many providers complete the porting process within 1–7 business days depending on the carrier and number type.

Q: What is Nkom and what role does it play in Norwegian telecommunications?

A: Nkom (Norwegian Communications Authority) is Norway's regulatory body for telecommunications. Nkom allocates numbering resources, ensures E.164 compliance, mandates number portability, enforces emergency service requirements, and promotes competition within the telecommunications market. Contact Nkom at +47 22 82 46 00 or firmapost@nkom.no for regulatory questions.

Q: Are there special requirements for emergency service numbers in Norway?

A: Yes. Make emergency numbers (110, 112, 113) accessible without SIM cards, functional on locked devices, and available even in low-coverage areas. They must automatically transmit location data using Advanced Mobile Location (AML) technology. Emergency services can notify each other and forward calls between services. Network priority routing ensures reliable connections.

Q: What are the number ranges for IoT and M2M devices in Norway?

A: Norway provides two M2M/IoT ranges: 58 XX XX XX XX XX (12-digit format for multi-SIM, smartwatches, fleet management) and 59 XX XX XX (8-digit format for standard IoT services). The 12-digit range can be used permanently outside Norway, while 8-digit M2M numbers follow standard geographic restrictions.

Q: How much do SMS messages to Norwegian numbers cost?

A: SMS costs vary by sender's carrier and destination number type. Domestic SMS within Norway typically costs 0.50-1.00 NOK. International SMS to Norwegian numbers costs vary by origin country (usually 1.00-3.00 NOK or equivalent). Premium rate numbers (820 series) have specific per-message charges (3.50-26.00 NOK). Always check current carrier rates.

Q: Are there rate limits for sending SMS to Norwegian numbers?

A: Rate limits depend on your service provider and account type. Typical limits: personal accounts 50-200 SMS/hour; business accounts 1,000-10,000 SMS/hour; bulk SMS services negotiate custom limits. Exceeding limits triggers anti-spam blocks. Contact your provider for specific rate limit information and bulk messaging solutions.

Future-Ready Norwegian Telecommunications Architecture

Norway's numbering plan supports future growth and technological advancements:

• Innovation Support: Flexible number allocation for new services including 5G standalone applications and next-generation IoT deployments.
• Technological Adaptability: Architecture supports emerging standards including eSIM provisioning, network slicing, and edge computing integrations.
• Capacity Planning: With approximately 90 million 8-digit numbers available and separate 12-digit M2M space providing 100 billion combinations, Norway has sufficient capacity for decades of growth.

Upcoming Considerations:

• eSIM Impact: eSIM technology allows dynamic carrier switching without physical SIM changes; number portability remains the same, but provisioning processes evolve
• 5G Integration: 5G network slicing introduces service-specific number routing requirements; existing numbering plan accommodates these developments
• IPv6 Convergence: As telecommunications converge with IP networks, E.164 numbering provides the bridge through ENUM (E.164 to URI mapping) for unified communications

Build robust and compliant applications for the Norwegian market using this comprehensive understanding of the numbering structure, validation rules, and regulatory requirements. The information provided equips you to work effectively with Norwegian phone numbers in your development projects.