Employee leave entitlement in Norway

Employee leave entitlements in Norway

Norwegian employment law provides employees with extensive leave rights. These include annual paid vacation, public holidays, sick leave, parental leave, and various other statutory leave types.

This overview outlines key leave entitlements and practices in Norway.

Annual holiday entitlement

Norwegian law entitles employees to a minimum of 21 working days (equivalent to four weeks and one day) of paid annual holiday each year. Holiday pay is accrued in the previous calendar year.

• Standard practice is five weeks (25 working days) of holiday for most employees.
• Holiday pay is typically 12 percent of the prior year’s gross salary.
• Employees usually receive holiday pay as a lump sum in June.
• Employers deduct pay for days taken as annual leave.

Employees are entitled to three consecutive weeks of holiday during the June–September period. Both employer and employee should agree on the holiday schedule, but if no agreement is reached the employer decides, provided legal minimums are respected.

Public holidays

Several national public holidays apply in Norway. Work on these days is generally not required unless specified in the employment contract.

• New Year’s Day
• Maundy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Labour Day
• Constitution Day
• Ascension Day
• Pentecost and Whit Monday
• Christmas Day
• St. Stephen’s Day

Sick leave

Employees are eligible for paid sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness. Notification to the employer must be made as soon as possible.

• Employees may self-certify absence for up to three consecutive days, provided they have worked at least two months.
• After three days, a doctor’s certificate is needed.
• The employer pays sick pay for the first 16 calendar days, usually up to a capped salary level (6G).
• After 16 days, the National Insurance (NAV) covers paid sick leave, also up to the 6G cap.
• Maximum sick pay period is 52 weeks per illness case.

Maternity, paternity, and parental leave

Norwegian law ensures robust benefits for new parents. Leave is available for both mothers and fathers, as well as for adoption.

• Parental leave totals 12 months, with 15 weeks reserved for each parent.
• Mothers must take at least three weeks of leave before birth and six weeks after.
• Fathers are entitled to two weeks’ leave related to childbirth, not necessarily paid by law.
• Parental benefit (financial support during leave) is paid by NAV based on prior earnings.
• Unpaid parental leave of up to 12 additional months per parent is permitted immediately after paid leave.

Notice requirements apply for planned parental leave, depending on length.

Leave for nursing mothers

Nursing mothers can request time off for breastfeeding during the child’s first year. Up to one paid hour may be taken per working day if the shift is seven hours or longer.

Leave for prenatal examinations

Prenatal examination leave is paid if the checkup cannot reasonably take place outside working hours. This leave is available throughout pregnancy.

Partial leave arrangements

Parents may request part-time parental leave. The employer must generally accommodate such requests unless this creates significant operational difficulty.

Carer's leave (child illness)

Parents may take time off to care for a sick child under age 12. A medical certificate is required.

• 10 days per year for one child per parent
• 15 days if caring for multiple children
• Single parents: 20 or 30 days depending on number of children
• Employer covers the initial days and can seek reimbursement from NAV

Bereavement and family leave

Employees who care for a terminally ill relative at home are entitled to up to 60 days’ leave. Leave for care of parents, partners, or close relatives is limited to 10 days per year, paid by NAV.

• Additional welfare leave may be granted by employers at their discretion.

Adoption leave

Adoptive parents are entitled to paid leave similar to biological parents. Benefit periods vary depending on the number of children adopted and existing children in the household.

• Standard benefit duration: 46 weeks at full rate or 56 weeks at reduced rate
• Longer if adopting two children

Educational leave

Employees with three years’ service (with two years at their current employer) may take unpaid leave for approved vocational or professional training for up to three years. The right does not apply if this would cause serious business disruption.

Military service leave

Employees are entitled to unpaid leave for compulsory or voluntary military service and similar public duties. Those taking part in international assignments organized by Norwegian authorities may also request leave.

Reinstatement rights apply, subject to notification and a one-month maximum employer delay for resumption.

Religious holidays

Employees observing religious holidays outside the official public calendar may request up to two self-selected days off per year, provided 14 days’ advance notice is given. Employers may require employees to make up lost work hours at a mutually agreed time. Extra hours worked to make up are not considered overtime.

FAQs

How is holiday pay calculated in Norway?

Holiday pay is typically 12 percent of the gross salary earned in the previous calendar year. It is usually paid out in June and covers the salary for the employee's annual leave period.

How much sick leave can employees take in Norway?

Employees can receive paid sick leave for up to 52 weeks per illness case. The employer pays for the first 16 days, after which the National Insurance covers continued payments up to a capped amount.

What notice is required for taking parental leave in Norway?

Employees must inform their employer as soon as possible before taking parental leave. For absences beyond two, twelve, or fifty-two weeks, notice of at least one, four, or twelve weeks respectively must be given in advance.

Are public holidays paid in Norway?

Public holidays are generally treated as paid non-working days unless specified otherwise in the employment contract. Some businesses that operate on public holidays may provide a substitute day off or extra pay according to agreements.

Can an employee in Norway take leave for religious reasons?

Yes, employees are entitled to up to two days of unpaid leave per year for religious holidays not included in the official calendar, with 14 days’ notice. Employers may require employees to work equivalent hours at another time.