Understanding Employee Leave Entitlements in Norway

Norway's Working Environment Act, specifically Section 12, establishes comprehensive leave rights for employees. Beyond standard paid annual leave and public holidays, Norwegian workers benefit from various statutory leaves including sick leave, parental leave, caregiving leave, educational leave, military service leave, and religious observance leave.

Annual Leave Regulations

All employees in Norway are entitled to a minimum of 25 paid vacation days annually. Workers have the right to take 18 consecutive working days between June 1st and September 30th, with the remaining 7 days available for continuous use. Employees aged 60 or above receive an additional 6 statutory paid vacation days each year.

Sick Leave Provisions

Under the National Insurance Act, eligible employees receive sickness benefits capped at six times the basic amount (NOK 118,620 as of May 2023). Medical certificates are required for absences exceeding three days. Employers cover the first 16 days of sick pay for employees with at least four weeks of service, after which the National Insurance Scheme assumes responsibility. Special provisions apply to workplace injuries, with mandatory compensation for employees. Self-employed individuals and freelancers are excluded from these regulations.

Prenatal Care Leave

Pregnant employees are entitled to paid time off for medical appointments when these cannot reasonably be scheduled outside working hours.

Parental Leave Framework

Expectant mothers can take up to 12 weeks of pregnancy leave. Following childbirth, a mandatory six-week maternity leave period applies unless medical clearance for earlier return is obtained. Norway's parental leave system offers flexibility: parents can choose between 59 weeks at 80% salary or 49 weeks at full pay, provided they've worked at least six months in the ten months preceding birth and are enrolled in the national insurance scheme. Both parents must take minimum 15-week allocations (extended to 19 weeks each at 80% pay option), with leave utilization possible until the child turns three. Additionally, parents may take one year of unpaid leave with job protection upon return.

Educational Leave Opportunities

Employees with three years of service, including two years with their current employer, may request up to three years of partial or full leave for organized educational programs. Leave is restricted to vocational studies beyond secondary education level, excluding employer operational constraints. Employees must provide written notice detailing course content, duration, and vocational relevance. Employers must respond within specified timeframes based on leave duration requested.

Childcare and Family Care Leave

Employees receive up to 20 days annually to care for sick children under 18, including time for medical appointments. Extended leave provisions apply for chronic conditions or disabilities. Special circumstances (hospitalization, serious illness) grant additional rights, with increased allowances for multiple children. Similar provisions exist for caring for seriously ill relatives, with up to 10 days annually for immediate family care and 60 days for terminal cases, potentially supplemented by caregiver benefits.

Additional Leave Types

Military service leave covers both compulsory and voluntary duty, including international peacekeeping missions. Religious observance leave allows time off for faith-based holidays beyond public holidays, as protected by the Religious Communities Act.

Public Holidays in Norway

Norway observes 11-13 public holidays annually, with dates varying based on weekend alignment:

Holiday	Date
New Year's Day	January 1
Maundy Thursday	April 17
Good Friday	April 18
Easter Sunday	April 20
Easter Monday	April 21
Labor Day	May 1
Constitution Day	May 17
Ascension Day	May 29
Pentecost	June 8
Whit Monday	June 9
Christmas Day	December 25
Boxing Day	December 26

For organizations expanding into Norway, SailGlobal provides expert guidance on implementing compliant leave policies and payroll calculations tailored to Norwegian requirements.

Norway Employee Leave Guide: Annual, Sick & Parental Leave Policies