Svalbard & Jan Mayen
About Svalbard & Jan Mayen
| Currency | Norwegian krone (NOK) |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Capital | Longyearbyen |
Svalbard and Jan Mayen are islands located in the Arctic Ocean, north of Norway. Svalbard is an island archipelago composed of 9 main islands, while Jan Mayen is a volcanic island. Many legends and theories exist as to who discovered the islands of Svalbard and Jan Mayen and as to when they were discovered. Svalbard is believed to have been discovered in the 12th century by Norse explorers; and in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was used as a whaling base. Svalbard was also used for coal mining in the 20th century, and a small coal mining industry continues to this day. The first verified discovery of Jan Mayen was in 1614 by Dutch whalers; and from 1615-1638, it was used as a Dutch whaling base. In 1920, Norway was given administration of Svalbard by the United Nations. In 1930, Jan Mayen became part of the Kingdom of Norway.
Although both Svalbard and Jan Mayen belong to the Kingdom of Norway, they are under separate administrative jurisdictions. Svalbard is a non-self governing territory of Norway, administered by the Polar Department of the Norwegian Ministry of Justice. The chief of state is the King of Norway while the head of government is a governor who lives on the island of Spitsbergen. In contrast, Jan Mayen is administered by the governor of the county of Nordland on mainland Norway, the county closest to Jan Mayen.
The population of Svalbard was estimated to be approximately 2,500 people in 2017. The inhabitants are largely of Norwegian descent and are those who live and work on the islands as researchers, miners or meteorologists, primarily. The island of Jan Mayen is uninhabited and only those working at the Norwegian meteorological station, radio communications station or are part of the Norwegian military spend short stays on the island.
Due to their location, both Svalbard and Jan Mayen have arctic climates and ecosystems. Winters are cold, summers are cool and there is a relatively small temperature difference between seasons. The islands also experience high winds. As a result of the islands’ latitudes, in the summer the sun does not set for 4 months and in the winter, the islands experience complete darkness for several months. To protect the delicate and unique arctic ecosystem, there are several national parks on Svalbard and Jan Mayen is designated as a nature reserve. Jan Mayen and Svalbard are important breeding grounds for many species of sea birds.
Today the important industries of Svalbard include coal mining, research and tourism. The tourism industry has developed around giving people the ‘Arctic experience’: the untouched glaciers, the rugged mountains and the sighting of polar bears, among other arctic animals. It has also recently become a docking location for cruise ships.
Recommended Vaccinations For Svalbard & Jan Mayen
For Some Travellers
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a low risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, however, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a low risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, however, the vaccination is recommended.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine
Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended if travelling in Norway or where contact with ticks might occur (camping, hiking, outdoor activities) during early spring to late autumn.
Recommended Medications For Svalbard & Jan Mayen
There are no recommendations for Svalbard & Jan Mayen at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Svalbard & Jan Mayen
For Some Travellers
Tick-Borne Encephalitis
There is a risk of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in some areas of Norway. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.
Hepatitis B
There is a low risk of exposure to hepatitis B for this country.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Measles
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Tuberculosis
Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with an infected person.
Rabies
Rabies has only been reported in wild animals on these islands, therefore, most travellers are considered to be at low risk for rabies. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses in this country.
Safety & Security in Svalbard & Jan Mayen
Personal Safety
Svalbard has an extremely low crime rate due to its small, tight-knit population and remote location. Violent crime is practically non-existent, and petty crime is almost unheard of. In 2023, the Governor of Svalbard recorded 226 criminal cases, the highest since 2001, but this increase was primarily due to enhanced supervision rather than actual crime growth. The majority of reported offenses were environmental violations, drone breaches near the airport, and minor infractions. Traditional crime between people remains extraordinarily rare.
Your primary safety concern in Svalbard is not crime but the natural environment. Polar bears pose a genuine threat outside settlement boundaries. Since 1971, six fatal polar bear attacks have occurred. Anyone leaving the designated safe zone in Longyearbyen must carry firearms or appropriate deterrent equipment. If you venture beyond town limits without professional guides who carry weapons and polar bear protection equipment, you risk serious injury or death. The archipelago enforces strict regulations requiring trip registration for travel to most areas.
Extreme weather conditions present another major risk. Rapid weather changes, avalanches, and Arctic storms can create dangerous situations quickly. Professional guides monitor weather patterns, avalanche risks, ice conditions, and polar bear threats continuously. Medical facilities in Longyearbyen are limited to a small hospital with basic capabilities. Serious injuries or illnesses require evacuation to mainland Norway, which weather may delay. You should have comprehensive medical evacuation insurance.
Extreme Violence
Svalbard experiences virtually no human-on-human violence. No terrorism threat exists due to the archipelago’s extreme remoteness, sparse population, and lack of strategic targets. The territories have never been engaged in warfare or hostile conflicts. The protection afforded by international treaties and geographic isolation makes them undesirable for military action.
The genuine extreme violence threat comes from polar bears. These animals view humans as potential prey rather than threats. Approximately 3,000 polar bears inhabit Svalbard, outnumbering the 2,500 human residents. Fatal attacks have occurred regularly, with six deaths since 1971. A 17-year-old British student was killed in 2011, a Dutch campsite employee died in 2020, and a French tourist was injured in 2022. Multiple other attacks have left people with serious injuries.
Polar bear attacks often involve young male bears, particularly those aged three to six years. These subadult bears are historically responsible for most attacks on humans and are especially dangerous. Climate change may increase human-bear encounters as reduced sea ice forces hungry bears closer to settlements. When bears are truly starving, deterrent measures like flare guns may fail because hunger overpowers fear.
Since 2012, carrying firearms outside settlements has been legally required. Professional guides always carry appropriate weapons and deterrent equipment. Bears killed in self-defense undergo investigation, though prosecution is rare when proper protocols were followed. Between two and three polar bears are shot annually in self-defense, mostly by locals or researchers rather than tourists. Anyone camping outside town must use electric fences or stay in cabins rather than tents.
Political Unrest
Svalbard maintains exceptional political stability under Norwegian sovereignty. The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 grants Norway full sovereignty while imposing restrictions on military use and requiring non-discrimination in economic activities. The Governor of Svalbard, appointed by the Norwegian government, administers the archipelago directly under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
No political unrest, protests, or civil disturbances occur in Svalbard. The territory operates outside the Schengen Area, NATO joint command, and the European Economic Area, which insulates it from broader European political tensions. The demilitarized status under the Svalbard Treaty prevents military activities that could generate conflict.
Geopolitical tensions exist primarily between Norway and Russia regarding maritime zones and fishing rights, but these disputes remain diplomatic and pose no threat to visitors. Russia maintains the settlement of Barentsburg with several hundred residents, and both countries coexist peacefully. The Governor’s office maintains good working relations with the Russian community.
Recent years have seen increased Norwegian focus on sovereignty enforcement through enhanced Coast Guard presence and movement controls implemented in 2022. These measures aim to strengthen security rather than respond to active threats. The political environment emphasizes environmental protection, with strict regulations governing tourism, resource extraction, and land use. Climate change and environmental concerns dominate local policy discussions rather than political conflict.
Areas To Avoid
Most of Svalbard outside Longyearbyen should not be visited without professional guides. The primary restriction is not political but environmental. Approximately 67 percent of the archipelago is protected through seven national parks and 23 nature reserves. These protected areas have specific access rules, traffic restrictions, and seasonal prohibitions.
Certain areas are completely off-limits during specific periods. Moffen Nature Reserve, important for walrus populations, prohibits all access from May 15 to September 15. Multiple zones restrict access near polar bear denning areas to prevent disturbance. Protected cultural sites at locations including Habenichtbukta, Zieglerøya, and Delitschøya prohibit landing and passage year-round.
Zone A comprises particularly important research reference areas requiring notification to the Governor at least four weeks before any visit. Bird sanctuaries and some protected areas regulate or prohibit all traffic. New regulations from 2025 limit passenger numbers to 200 in protected areas, restrict landings to 43 designated sites, ban drones in all protected areas, and prohibit snowmobiles and tracked vehicles on sea ice after March 1 in select fjords.
Ny-Ålesund restricts tourism due to its research facility status and high polar bear danger. The settlement houses international research stations, and casual visitors face significant limitations. Travel beyond Management Area 10 (central Spitsbergen) requires mandatory trip registration with the Governor.
Jan Mayen is effectively closed to tourism. The volcanic island hosts only a combined military and meteorological station with no facilities for visitors. Access requires special permission and transport is limited to military flights or infrequent supply ships. Most visitors never set foot on Jan Mayen.
