Norway is one of the most beautiful and mysterious Scandinavian countries. This amazing state, located in Northern Europe, despite its remoteness, has long been a popular tourist destination. Every year more than 2 million travelers come here to enjoy the enchanting landscapes of wildlife and wavy mountains. Like most other countries, the kingdom of the fjords has an absolutely unique culture and a system of rules that should be honored and respected so that rest is not spoiled. About what laws in Norway should the tourist know before the trip, we will discuss later in our article.
Customs laws in Norway
The first thing that every tourist faces before arriving in the country of destination is a customs check. It's far from a secret that Norway is a fairly conservative country, where strict laws are in place, according to which every traveler at the entrance to the territory of the state can have with him:
- 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages (22-60% by volume) and 1 liter of beer or wine with a strength of no more than 22% of the total;
- 250 g of tobacco or 200 cigarettes;
- food products weighing up to 10 kg (only from EU countries);
- medicines per 1 person with prescription from the doctor;
- hygiene items intended for personal use.
It is strictly forbidden to import:
- any objects that threaten human life (weapons, explosives, poisonous substances);
- narcotic substances, including medicines without a prescription from the doctor;
- animals without relevant documents and certificates (veterinary passport, extract of vaccinations and vaccinations, etc.).
What should a tourist know?
Being already on the territory of the Kingdom of Norway, every tourist is obliged to remember certain rules of conduct, for non-observance of which there is a serious penalty, and sometimes administrative and even criminal liability. The basic rules include:
- In any public place (whether it is a bus stop, a park or a restaurant), smoking is prohibited. Drinking alcohol is allowed in bars and cafes and only adults.
- Observance of cleanliness and order. Norway is considered one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world, here you will not see garbage mountains and scattered bottles in the middle of the street. Moreover, the used cans can be put in the store and get for it from 0,12 to 0,6 cu. for 1 pc.
- Rest on the nature should also be in accordance with local laws. So, for example, from the middle of April to the end of October, you can breed bonfires only in specially designated places, and you will have to obtain a permit for fishing and pay a tax (10-25 cu)
- Going to a disco or nightclub, be sure to bring your ID along with you. in Norway it is prohibited to sell alcohol to persons under 18 years of age.
- Unlike the CIS countries, in Norway it is not supposed to give way to people of age in public transport. In this state, such a gesture can be perceived as offensive.
- Compliance with traffic rules is strictly controlled by local authorities, and for any violation a large fine is required. On average, the permissible speed is about 80 km / h, in large busy areas - 30-50. Depending on how far the speed was exceeded, the amount of a fine can be from 70 to 1000 cu.
The Law on keeping dogs in Norway deserves special attention, according to which sterilization and castration are considered as violence against animals. As for the paddock, the only condition is the presence of a leash, the muzzle is not needed even in a public place. A pleasant surprise for all tourists, who are accustomed to traveling in the company of their pets, is also the permission to enter with the animal on the territory of most of the sights and national monuments.
Marriage laws in Norway
Since Norway is considered one of the most prosperous countries to live in, many foreigners (mainly women) tend to move there for permanent residence, and the best way to achieve this goal is, of course, marriage. Family law in Norway is strikingly different from that adopted in most CIS countries, so before deciding to take such a serious step, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the laws that regulate this issue:
- Since 2009, gay marriage has been permitted in Norway.
- Only persons who have reached the age of 18 can marry, and only by mutual consent.
- Fictitious marriages in Norway are not welcomed, therefore, if one of the spouses is a foreign citizen, the "sincerity of feelings" of the couple will be checked by a special service, and not only close relatives and neighbors may be interrogated for identification, but also any other people who even a little familiar with the newlyweds.
- Family law in Norway governs financial well-being. So, for example, one of the spouses can demand at any moment to show a tax return or any other document confirming the income of a partner in life.
- Get a divorce in the country of glaciers and fjords in several ways:
- ask for judicial separation and divorce a year later;
- live 2 years separately and then get a divorce without separation;
- if there is evidence of domestic violence, divorce, under the law on marriage in Norway, can be obtained immediately.
Law on the upbringing of children in Norway
With regard to the upbringing of children, the law fully meets the conditions of the UN Convention and is implemented equally for citizens of Norway and for foreigners. However, quite often there are questions related to the rights of the child in the event of divorce by the parents. In this case, you should refer to the "Law on Children and Parents", the main principles of which are:
- Parental responsibility. Both spouses are equally responsible for the life and upbringing of children. If the parents are not in an official marriage, all obligations are laid on the mother.
- Accommodation and child care. One of the most controversial points in divorce is the question of the child's next place of residence. In most cases, joint custody and residence of children are established equally with each of the former spouses (for example, a week with the father - a week with the mother).
In cases where the parties can not reach an agreement on which parent the child will live with, an application is submitted to the court, but this can only be done after the mediation procedure (settling conflicts with the participation of an uninterested third party). The fundamental issue in the decision is the interests of the child. If this is not the case, then you should seek help from a specialist in family law.