Annual leave

Under the Holidays Act, employees are entitled to 25 working days of paid annual vacation.

During annual leave, employees receive holiday pay equal to 10.2% of their previous year’s earnings, which must be paid immediately before the vacation begins.

Employees do not have full discretion over vacation dates. The employer determines the timing but must first consult with the employee or their representative.

Employees are entitled to take three consecutive weeks of vacation between June 1 and September 30, with the remaining days taken as a single block.

In principle, all vacations must be used within the same calendar year. However, written agreements may allow up to 12 unused days to be carried over to the following year.

Public holidays

Employees are entitled to 10 paid public holidays, including:

• January 1 – New Year’s Day

• Maundy Thursday – Thursday before Easter

• Good Friday – Friday before Easter

• Easter Monday

• May 1 – Labor Day

• May 17 – Constitution Day

• Ascension Day – Sixth Thursday after Easter

• Whit Monday – Monday after Pentecost

• December 25 – Christmas Day

• December 26 – Boxing Day

Sick Leave

According to the National Insurance Act, employees who have worked for at least 4 weeks before the start of sick leave are entitled to up to 52 weeks of paid sick leave.

Employees qualify for sick pay from the first day of absence, provided the illness is verified by a medical certificate.

The employer pays sick pay for the first 16 days, after which the National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden) assumes responsibility.

The scheme provides full pay, up to a maximum of six times the National Insurance base amount. Employers may agree, through collective agreements or contracts, to top up the benefit to match the employee’s full salary.

Maternity Leave

Norway offers 49 weeks of paid leave at full pay or 59 weeks at 80% pay.

Employees who earn at least 50% of the National Insurance base amount and have worked at least 6 months within the previous 10 months qualify for paid maternity leave.

Of the total leave period, 10 weeks are reserved for the father and are forfeited if not used. The remaining weeks may be shared between both parents.

Mothers must take at least 3 weeks (and up to 12 weeks) before the expected delivery date and 6 weeks immediately after childbirth. Some portions may be deferred, but all leave must be used within 3 years. Payments are made through the social security system.

For adoptive parents, parental benefits begin once they assume responsibility for the child. Adoptive parents receive 46 weeks at full pay or 56 weeks at 80% pay.

Paternity Leave

New fathers are entitled to up to two weeks of unpaid leave.

Other Types of Leave

• Parental Leave:

  Employees meeting income and service thresholds may take 49 weeks at full pay or 59 weeks at 80% pay, with 10 weeks reserved for fathers. Leave may be deferred but must be used within 3 years and is funded by social security.

• Religious Leave:

  Employees not belonging to the Church of Norway may take up to 2 unpaid days per year for religious observance, with at least 14 days’ notice.

• Educational Leave:

  Employees with 3 years of work experience, including 2 years with the current employer, may take leave for organized vocational training if it does not disrupt operations.

• Leave to Care for Dying Relatives:

  Employees may take up to 20 days to care for a terminally ill close relative at home.

• Leave for Official Duties:

  Employees are entitled to time off to fulfill legal obligations related to public bodies.

• Military Leave:

  Employees may take leave for military service and must notify the employer if they intend to return. Reinstatement is not required until one month after notification of availability.