Health migration from Norway to Spain - ambiguous belonging

In line with Gustafson (2008), most studies of transnationalism have investigated migration from south to north. This article examines health-, welfare- and lifestyle-related migration from Norway to Spain. The phenomenon is increasing, with consequences for national and municipal policies. The focus is on how Norwegian health migrants cope. Based on anthropological fieldwork and life story interviews we ask: Who are these migrants? How did the migration step come into being? How do they cope when the decision is effectuated? What kind of identity-related challenges do they face? The article also discusses implications for future comparative research on the phenomenon.