Svalbard at a glance
Svalbard belongs to Norway but lies outside the Schengen area. Longyearbyen is the settlement most visitors use as a base. Beyond the settlements the land is a polar bear habitat, and the rules for what you may do there have been tightened in two steps: fixed distances to polar bears from 1 January 2025, and new field safety regulations from 1 January 2026.
This guide is an independent summary of the governor's published rules, not an official source, so check the Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmesteren) before you go. Rules change, and some old guidebook advice is out of date. For the aurora in the dark season, see Tromsø for tours from the mainland.
The rules at a glance
What applies, since when, and who it concerns.
| Topic | Since | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Polar bear distance | 1 January 2025 | At least 300 m, and at least 500 m from 1 March to 30 June. Do not chase, lure or disturb bears. If a bear is closer than expected, withdraw. |
| Landings in protected areas | 2025 | Tourist landings only at mapped sites and with a guide trained in nature and culture. Nordre Isfjorden and Sassen-Bünsow Land are exempt in the overview. |
| Drones | 2025 | Banned in protected areas. At least 500 m from bird cliffs from 1 April to 31 August. |
| Field safety regulations | 1 January 2026 | Permits, insurance and internal controls depending on traveler type and area. |
| Approved guides | 1 July 2027 | Mandatory for covered tourist and field activities outside settlements. Not a rule for 2025 or 2026. |
| Environmental fee | – | NOK 150, normally included in flight and cruise tickets. Exceptions exist. |
The rule on landings does not apply to every individual hike. If you plan a trip on your own, ask the governor which area you are in and which rule covers it.
Our picks: Svalbard tours
A short drive to the Global Seed Vault and a full day by boat to Pyramiden.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pyramiden and glacier boat tour
Nine hours with boat trips, a dry suit, a guide, a settlement tour, lunch in Pyramiden and pickup from your accommodation in Longyearbyen. The minimum age is 12, and extra drinks and à-la-carte orders cost more.
Check availability →Seed Vault and Arctic viewpoint by car
Two hours by car with a local guide, a hot drink, photo stops and time at the entrance of the Global Seed Vault. There is no access inside.
Check availability →Svalbard tours and trips
Guided trips from Longyearbyen, with live prices and availability.
Safety, firearms and insurance
The points visitors most often get wrong.
Firearms
The governor's web page says that outside the settlements you need suitable deterrents and recommends a firearm in addition. The safety brochure puts it more strongly, saying to always bring a rifle. Do not read this as a personal duty for every tourist to carry a gun, and ask your operator what equipment the guide carries.
In Longyearbyen
Loaded weapons are banned inside the settlement. Carry any weapon visibly unloaded, and do not take it into shops or public buildings. A weapon permit application can take up to 8 weeks.
Insurance in the field
Visitors need insurance for areas outside the "travel area", formerly administrative area 10. Not every standard travel policy qualifies. The minimum cover per search and rescue operation or medical transport is NOK 120,000 in zone A, NOK 350,000 in zone B and NOK 650,000 in zone C. Check the zone map for your route before you buy.
Firearm checks
On 28 September 2026 the governor announced checks of weapon storage during the dark season. This is not a general curfew for tourists.
Guides in 2027
From 1 July 2027 covered tourist and field activities outside settlements must use approved Svalbard guides. Until then, check each operator's own qualifications.
Entry and the polar seasons
Documents, light and darkness.
Travel documents
Every traveler needs a valid travel document, including on private planes and ships. Passports are accepted, along with certain national ID documents. No visa is needed for Svalbard itself, but your return through the mainland falls under Schengen rules. If you need a Schengen visa, it must allow at least 2 entries.
Midnight sun
Svalbard has midnight sun from about 20 April to 22 August, according to a tourism source. Mountains and weather can still hide the sun.
Polar night
Polar night starts roughly at the end of October and lasts to the beginning of February. Full darkness falls from about mid November to the end of January. Daytime aurora is possible in this season and has a different geometry from the usual night display.
Northern lights guide →Polar bears
Bears move across the ice and the coast, and the distance rule applies to every visitor. Treat any sighting as a reason to withdraw, not to take a photo.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that fit a trip to the Arctic.
Svalbard: frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Svalbard?
Svalbard itself needs no visa, but it lies outside Schengen. If your trip runs through the mainland and you need a Schengen visa, the visa must allow at least 2 entries. Everyone needs a valid travel document.
How close may I go to a polar bear?
At least 300 m, and at least 500 m from 1 March to 30 June. If a bear gets closer than that without your doing, withdraw. Do not chase, lure or disturb it.
Do I have to carry a rifle?
The governor's web page requires suitable deterrents outside settlements and recommends a firearm in addition. The safety brochure is stricter. This is not a clear legal duty for every tourist, so ask the operator of a guided trip what the guide carries.
Do I need an approved guide?
Not yet for all activities. Approved Svalbard guides become mandatory on 1 July 2027 for covered tourist and field activities outside settlements. Landings in protected areas already require a guide trained in nature and culture, at mapped sites.
What insurance do I need?
For areas outside the travel area, the field safety regulations in force since 1 January 2026 require insurance, with minimum cover of NOK 120,000, NOK 350,000 or NOK 650,000 depending on the zone. Check that your policy covers search, rescue and medical transport.
Is there an environmental fee?
A tourism source says NOK 150 is normally included in flight and cruise tickets, and the fee regulation also names NOK 150 but allows exceptions. No additional new tourist tax for 2026 is confirmed.