Norway Employment Guide

Norway Employment Guide

Norway is in Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea (west), Sweden (east), Finland and Russia (north). It has ~5.4 million people; Norwegian is official, and Oslo is the capital. Its highly developed economy is pillar-supported by oil and gas, while fishing, shipping, shipbuilding, IT and services also hold key roles in the national economy. Labor laws (per Norwegian Working Environment Act) protect wages, hours, leave and social security. Standard workweek: 37.5-40 hours (overtime needs extra pay or time off). Salaries are usually monthly (avg. NOK 55,000 pre-tax). Laws cover paid leave, protect contract/temp workers, and emphasize work safety, balancing interests for a fair, sustainable labor market.

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Currency

Norwegian Krone (NOK)

Capital

Oslo

Official language

Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk)

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in Norway

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Paid Time Off (PTO) for Employees in Norway

Full-time employees in Norway are entitled to 25 working days of paid annual leave each year. This PTO accrues at a rate of 2.08 days per month, allowing employees to build up their leave entitlement progressively throughout the employment year.

Part-time employees do not receive paid vacation days under the standard PTO policy. However, they can take unpaid leave when needed. At the end of the year, part-time workers receive a holiday pay allowance, calculated at either 10.2% or 12% of their annual salary. The 10.2% rate represents the statutory minimum requirement under Norwegian law.

Norwegian Public Holidays

Norway recognizes 12 official public holidays annually. These include:

  • New Year's Day
  • Maundy Thursday
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Sunday
  • Easter Monday
  • Labor Day (May 1st)
  • Constitution Day (May 17th)
  • Ascension Day
  • Pentecost Sunday
  • Whit Monday
  • Christmas Day
  • Boxing Day (Second Christmas Day)

For international companies like SailGlobal operating in Norway, understanding these holiday provisions is essential for effective workforce management and compliance with local labor regulations.

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