Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard is an archipelago in the ArcticDefinitions of the Arctic vary according to environmental, geographical, political, cultural and scientific perspectives. Some scientists define the Arctic as areas having a high latitude, long winters, short, cool summers,... More Ocean covering 61,022 km2 with 2600 inhabitants (0.04/km2). The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 recognizes Norwegian sovereignty, and the 1925 Svalbard Act made Svalbard a full part of the Kingdom of Norway. They also established Svalbard as a free economic and demilitarized zone. However, administratively, Svalbard forms an unincorporated area administered by The Governor of Svalbard (‘Sysselmannen’) appointed by the Norwegian government. Due to its special jurisdiction, it is outside of the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area (EEA). Longyearbyen is the administrative centre of Svalbard, located on the main island of Spitsbergen. In total, there are five inhabited places on Svalbard (international research village Ny- Ålesund, Pyramiden, Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, and Hornsund). Around 60% of the archipelago is covered by glaciers and Svalbard is defined by extreme arcticDefinitions of the Arctic vary according to environmental, geographical, political, cultural and scientific perspectives. Some scientists define the Arctic as areas having a high latitude, long winters, short, cool summers,... More climateThe average weather we would expect over a long period of time (seasons, years, decades). Climate varies from place-to-place across the Earth. Climate is determined by long-term (over at least... More.
The following information aims at providing an overview of the most common permit types relevant for scientists travelling to and working in Svalbard.
National rules and regulations are given for the following categories:
- Cross border travel (persons, equipment, samples, chemicals),
- Access to specific areas,
- Permits to conduct fieldwork and collect samples,
- Field instrumentation,
- Safety equipment and
- Regional/local permits.
Additional information sources relevant for conducting science in Svalbard are also listed.
Disclaimer: INTERACT takes no legal responsibility for the information presented here. These pages only address the most common permit types. Certain studies may require specialist permits not covered here. New regulations may also come into force, permit conditions may change and links may become outdated or no longer work. If you encounter broken links, significant permit updates or have suggestions for additional permit types we can include, please contact us at https://eu-interact.org/contact/.
Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a visa to enter Svalbard. More information can be found on the Norwegian directorate of immigration´s website or on the website of The Governor of Svalbard.
Note that there is a processing fee applicable to all visa applications.
The Norwegian authorities do not require a special visa for entering Svalbard, but you may need a permit for entering mainland Norway/the Schengen Area if you transit through them on your way to or from Svalbard.
It is important to ensure that you get a double-entry visa to Norway so you can return to the Schengen Area (mainland Norway) after your stay in Svalbard.
You can find general information and links to relevant COVID-19 related information here: https://www.sysselmannen.no/en/corona-and-svalbard/.
Note that any mandatory quarantine must take place in mainland Norway, before entering Svalbard. More information and quarantine (hotels).
You can find further information regarding the temporary travel restrictions here: https://nyalesundresearch.no/covid-info/.
In general, it is recommended to use a shipping/transport agency.
Note that due to limited air cargo capacity to and from Ny-Ålesund, cargo related to research activities should preferably be send by cargo ship. Kings Bay AS provides logistical support. Find more information here: https://nyalesundresearch.no/infrastructures/logistics/.
Norway is party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Norwegian Environment Agency is the agency with responsibility for implementing CITES and the issuing of permits.
Exporting fauna and flora requires permission from the Norwegian Environment Agency.
You do not require permission to export plant material from Svalbard to Norway if the plants are native to Svalbard. For other plants, you should contact The Governor of Svalbard.
Importing fauna and flora to Svalbard also requires permission from the Norwegian Environment Agency.
For export to other countries, please contact the customs authority in the destination country.
In general, it is recommended to use a shipping/transport agency, in order to assure compliance with complex regulations. Research stations and institutions may provide access to some types of chemicals that can be used by visiting scientists.
When applying to carry out research in Svalbard, you must apply via the Research in Svalbard (RiS) portal. You must declare all areas you would like to work in (including in protected areas) as precisely as possible in the RiS database.
Visitors travelling outside Management Area 10 must comply with The Governor of Svalbard`s notification and insurance requirements. Find more information here: https://www.sysselmannen.no/en/tilreisende/notification-insurance-and-reporting-obligations/.
Transportation and fieldwork in protected areas usually requires permission from The Governor of Svalbard. You must apply for an exemption from specific provisions and justify why the work must be done in the protected area. Projects that don’t meet exemption requirements shall take place in non-protected areas.
Map of areas with access restrictions
Find different maps for nature conservation areas (including national parks, nature reserves, cultural heritage sites with ban on traffic, geotope protection areas and bird reserves) here: https://www.sysselmannen.no/en/maps-and-gps/thematic-maps/nature-conservations-areas/.
Svalbard-specific Norwegian legislation, notably the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act (2001) and regulations are highly relevant to all field research in the archipelago.
Note that, as a general rule, most field activities will require permission from The Governor of Svalbard.
The Governor of Svalbard requires that all research application and reports are submitted via the Research in Svalbard (RiS) portal. Note that the processing time can take at least four weeks, often more.
Find information for scientists conducting research in Svalbard here: https://www.sysselmannen.no/en/researchers/.
A list of relevant offices administering research permissions can be found here.
The guidelines for researchers in Svalbard provide much relevant information and a good overview on regulations.
Find more information on research permissions at the website of the Svalbard Science Forum.
- All research projects that are carried out in Svalbard and surrounding waters should be registered in the RiS – Portal
The regulation concerning the disturbance of wildlife is very strict and also covers handling and collection.
All disturbance of fauna requires permission from The Governor of Svalbard. Avoid causing any unnecessary disturbance.
Handling, marking and monitoring of animals must be approved by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (in Norwegian) before an application is sent to The Governor of Svalbard. The processing time at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority can be long, so make sure you allow good time for this (email: postmottak@mattilsynet.no).
It is forbidden to damage or pick plants in Svalbard. Collection of plants for research or teaching is permitted if this does not significantly impact the plant population at the site.
For the collection of flora that may have a significant impact on the plant population at the site, you need a permission from The Governor of Svalbard.
You do not require permission to collect fungi and seaweed.
In general, no separate permits are required for the collection of loose stones and fossils. However, there are exceptions in some protected areas. Therefore, check the specific regulations for the relevant protected areas.
For geological work that involves physical alteration to the terrain, you must have permission from The Governor of Svalbard.
The regulations governing cultural heritage are very strict. Here are some general regulations: All fixed and loose cultural monuments and objects dating from before 1946 are automatically protected. This includes all traces of human activity such as buildings and structures as well as all kinds of objects made by humans. Evidence of human graves of all kinds are protected regardless of their age. The same applies to skeletal remains at slaughter sites for walruses and whales, and skeletal remains from polar bears in connection with self-shooting traps. The protection zone around fixed cultural monuments is 100 meters. You are not allowed to set up a camp or light a bonfire in the protection zone. It is forbidden to move automatically protected cultural monuments and objects even if they are found on the coast or in other exposed areas. If in doubt, assume that the object is protected.
You do not require permission for taking soil samples or extracting ice cores from glaciers. You also do not require permission for taking snow samples and water samples (salt and fresh water).
If you are planning to set up installations, you need a permission from The Governor of Svalbard and possibly also local planning authorities.
In areas with a Land Use Plan (areas around the five largest settlements Longyearbyen, Ny-Ålesund, Sveagruva, Pyramiden and Barentsburg) you need permission from The Governor of Svalbard and maybe also from the local planning authority. Therefore, first assess if the project complies with the current land-use plan and then submit a notification or application to the planning authority.
If you are in doubt, contact:
The Governor of Svalbard
Longyearbyen Community Council in Longyearbyen
Kings Bay AS in Ny-Ålesund
Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani in Sveagruva
Trust Arktikugolis for projects in BarentsburgRemember to specify the exact location on a map. Find an online map tool here: https://geokart.npolar.no/Html5Viewer/index.html?viewer=Svalbardkartet.
In areas without a Land Use Plan you need permission from The Governor of Svalbard. Remember to specify the exact location on a map.
All pilots flying a drone that has a camera or is heavier than 250 g, need to register themselves at Flydrone.
It is forbidden to fly drones within five kilometres of the airports in Longyearbyen and Svea, or within 20 km of Ny-Ålesund. This means that in practice there is a ban on flying drones in Ny-Ålesund and throughout Kongsfjorden.
Find more rules and regulations, and information on prohibited areas here: https://www.sysselmannen.no/en/drones-on-svalbard/.
It is strongly recommended that you familiarise yourself with potential hazards in Svalbard and appropriate preventive safety measures.
Find information about firearms (buying, lending, renting, importing/exporting, storage and transport, permits) on the website of The Governor of Svalbard.
UNIS, NPI, KingsBay AS and some other logistics providers offer safety courses and weapon rental.
Visitors travelling outside Management Area 10 must comply with The Governor of Svalbard`s notification and insurance requirements. This includes travelling with an emergency beacon (PLB for land-based activities), and The Governor of Svalbard must know the identity of the transmitter. Find more information on permission and notification here: https://www.sysselmannen.no/en/tilreisende/notification-insurance-and-reporting-obligations/.
See also ‘Regional/local level permits’ for more information in radio regulation.
It is highly recommended to ask for guidance from the research station you plan to visit. Information about station specific permits and policies can often be found on their respective websites. Contact information for all INTERACT stations.
Ny-Ålesund is a radio silent area, where the electromagnetic radiation activity should be kept at an absolute minimum. There are several scientific instruments in Ny-Ålesund that take advantage of the radio silence. Use of wireless equipment within the frequency band 2-32 GHz (which includes both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) is generally forbidden both in Ny-Ålesund, and within a 20 km exclusion zone extending from Ny-Ålesund.
A guide for researchers considering going to Ny-Ålesund can be accessed here: https://nyalesundresearch.no/research-and-monitoring/researchers-guide/.
The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) offers safety courses which address Arctic- and Svalbard-relevant risks and challenges.
Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System
