Why travel costs matter
When parents live far apart, travel costs (reisekostnader) can become the difference between “visitation on paper” and real, meaningful contact. In Do Better Norge’s work, we often see travel logistics used as an indirect barrier: unclear pickup routines, last-minute cancellations, or demands that make contact financially impossible.
Definition
Reisekostnader are the necessary expenses linked to transporting the child to and from visitation (samvær). Under Norwegian family law, the starting point is that both parents share responsibility for making contact possible, including by sharing necessary travel costs.
Legal framework (Norway)
- Children Act (Barneloven) § 44 regulates how travel costs related to visitation shall be shared if parents do not agree otherwise.
- Official guidance from the Ministry, NAV and Bufdir explains the “default rule” and what typically counts as travel costs.
The default rule: split proportionally by income
If you do not agree on another solution, the costs should be split proportionally based on income. That means the higher-income parent covers a larger share.
What usually counts as “travel costs”?
In practice, travel costs may include:
- Tickets (train, bus, plane), baggage fees, seat reservations.
- Fuel, tolls, ferries, parking directly linked to pickup/drop-off.
- Necessary escort travel if the child cannot travel alone (age, health, safety).
Tip: Travel costs are about the transport needed to carry out visitation – not “holiday expenses” during the visit.
Practical strategy (what to write into your agreement)
Most conflicts happen because the travel terms are vague. A good written agreement should specify:
- Who travels (pickup/drop-off split, meeting point, and backup plan).
- Who books (and how far in advance) + what happens if prices rise.
- Payment mechanics: invoices/receipts, reimbursement deadlines, and preferred method (bank transfer, Vipps, etc.).
- Documentation: keep a simple travel-cost log with dates, route, tickets and receipts.
- Child safety: rules for unaccompanied minors, escort responsibilities, and contact information during travel.
Relocation changes everything
If one parent relocates and increases the distance, travel costs usually rise dramatically. In disputes, courts often evaluate whether a move makes contact practically impossible and whether the relocating parent has offered a realistic plan to preserve the child’s relationship with the other parent.
If you’re facing a move, treat travel costs and the visitation schedule as one package: distance, frequency, and costs must make sense together.
Do Better Norge perspective
- Economic barrier = contact barrier. A “right” that requires money without a workable plan is not a meaningful right.
- Weaponization risk. Travel costs can be used to create permanent “non-contact” patterns that later get blamed on the non-resident parent.
- Always document. Save messages about pickup refusal, late notice, and unreasonable demands. Patterns matter.
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