Interpreter Services

You have the right to an interpreter when it is necessary to receive a service. The municipality assesses whether an interpreter is needed. If you need to apply for a service and do not understand the application or your rights and obligations, it is likely necessary to have an interpreter. However, in ordinary and daily communication between you and the municipality, school, or kindergarten, an interpreter is generally not considered necessary.

The right to an interpreter applies to:

• Anyone who does not speak Norwegian
• Sami speakers
• Deafblind, deaf, and hard-of-hearing individuals

When you receive interpreting assistance, it must be provided by a qualified adult interpreter who is bound by confidentiality regarding your case.

Individuals who cannot communicate in Norwegian, Sami speakers, deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind individuals.

The interpreting service is free. However, the municipality may charge a fee if you fail to attend an appointment where an interpreter has been booked and you have been informed in advance.

Pasient og tolk. En brosjyre om tolk i helsetjenesten
Conversing via an interpreter

See in particular:

• In addition to the Tolkeloven and Tolkeforskriften, see pasient- og brukerrettighetsloven §§ 3-1 and 3-2 regarding the right to receive information about your health condition.
• Helse- og omsorgstjenesteloven § 3-10 concerning language rights for Sami speakers.
• Forvaltningsloven §§ 13 to 13e regarding confidentiality.

Forvaltningsloven
Pasient- og brukerrettighetsloven

The municipality is responsible for assessing whether an interpreter is necessary and, if so, for appointing one. A qualified interpreter is someone who meets the requirements in the National Interpreter Register. The municipality must use qualified interpreters unless it is an emergency. Finding a qualified interpreter may take time, which could result in some waiting.

Interpreting can be conducted in person, via video, or by phone.

The interpreter must:

• Translate exactly what is said during the conversation
• Be completely impartial and neutral in the case
• Be an adult and bound by confidentiality regarding your case

If you are not provided with an interpreter when you believe you need one, you can request an interpreter directly from the person you are speaking with. If this does not resolve the issue, you can contact the municipality’s central office. Since the municipality itself determines whether an interpreter is necessary, there is no formal right to appeal the decision to deny an interpreter.

You can, however, file a complaint about unacceptable behavior from an interpreter. This may include:

• Incomplete or incorrect interpreting
• Breaches of confidentiality
• The interpreter interfering in the conversation on behalf of the participants
• Other issues related to the interpreter’s conduct during the session

Complaints about an interpreter can be submitted to the Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) at post@imdi.no or by calling 24 16 88 00.