National budget 2026
The government proposes increased loan authorisations of around NOK 26 billion to start five new hospital projects in 2026
News story | Date: 21/10/2025 | Ministry of Health and Care Services
In the 2026 National Budget, the government recommends granting loans for five new hospital projects, with a total investment framework of nearly NOK 29 billion. This applies to: phase 3 at Sunnaas Hospital; a new radiotherapy and somatic building at Østfold Hospital; a new somatic building at Akershus University Hospital; a new building for mental health and substance abuse treatment at Åsgård at the University hospital of North Norway (UNN); and the new Mjøssykehuset Hospital at Innlandet Hospital Trust. Including ongoing projects, a total loan allocation of around NOK 7 billion is proposed for 2026. Out of this, the new projects account for NOK 580 million.
‘Investments in new hospital buildings are crucial for ensuring that Norway continues to have among the best health care services in the world. We are facilitating hospitals to have buildings with sufficient capacity, which can contribute to better patient care, and which are, not least, good workplaces for all employees,’ says Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre.
About the New Construction Projects:
Phase 3 at Sunnaas Hospital
The government proposes a total loan framework of NOK 551 million for phase 3 at Sunnaas Hospital. This involves a new building to replace two of the existing buildings that do not meet the requirements for modern hospital operations. The project is planned to be completed in 2029.
Radiotherapy and Somatic Building at Østfold Hospital
The government proposes a total loan framework of NOK 3 987 million for an expansion of somatic capacity, including both inpatient beds and outpatient clinics at Østfold Hospital. Radiotherapy treatment will also be established in the new building – a service the hospital does not currently offer. The project is planned to be completed in 2031.
Somatic Building at Akershus University Hospital
The government proposes a total loan framework of NOK 1 591 million to expand the facilities at Akershus University Hospital in Nordbyhagen, Lørenskog Municipality, to address challenges relating to somatic bed capacity and medical imaging. The project is planned to be completed in 2030. The increased bed capacity will be phased in until 2040, in line with the need for increased capacity.
New Hospital Building for Mental Health Care and Specialist Substance Abuse Treatment at UNN Åsgård
The government proposes a total loan framework of NOK 2 119 million for new construction and renovation of existing facilities for mental health care, forensic psychiatry, and specialist substance abuse treatment at Åsgård, University Hospital of North Norway. The new building will ensure good and modern conditions for treatment, contribute to improved quality in health services, and improve patient safety. The project will address the need to strengthen inpatient capacity in mental health care, and in particular, inpatient capacity in forensic psychiatry. The project is planned to be completed in 2030.
New Mjøssykehuset Hospital at Innlandet Hospital Trust
The government proposes a total loan framework of NOK 18 009 million for a new Mjøssykehuset Hospital for Innlandet Hospital Trust. The project involves: the consolidation of specialist functions within somatic medicine, mental health care and interdisciplinary specialist substance abuse treatment at Mjøssykehuset Hospital, located in Moelv; the establishment of an air ambulance base in Elverum; elective orthopaedics and rehabilitation; acute internal medicine, maternity and postnatal wards at Elverum Hospital; and strengthening of services at Tynset Hospital. The project is planned to be completed in 2032.