The legal limits on working time and leave, next to the hours employees actually have in their contracts.
By AtiveSite · Published 06/11/2026 · Updated 06/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
| Topic ⇅ | Rule ⇅ | Source ⇅ | Type ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal working hours | Up to 9 hours per 24 hours and 40 hours per 7 days. Lower weekly limits for round-the-clock shift work: 38 h (weekdays) or 36 h (including weekends). | Arbeidstilsynet | Law |
| Overtime | Overtime supplement of at least 40 per cent. Standard limits: 10 h per 7 days, 25 h per 4 weeks, 200 h per 52 weeks (higher with a collective agreement: 20 / 50 / 300). | Working Environment Act §10-6 | Law |
| Breaks and rest | Shifts of 8 h or more: at least 30 minutes of break in total. At least 11 consecutive hours off per 24 hours and 35 hours per 7 days (collective agreements may shorten, never below 8 h / 28 h). | Arbeidstilsynet | Law |
| Paid holiday | 25 working days per holiday year (Sundays and public holidays do not count; Saturdays do, i.e. four weeks and one day). Holiday pay is 10.2 per cent of the pay basis (12.5 per cent for those over 60 with extra holiday), calculated up to 6G. | Holidays Act §5, §10 | Law |
| Sick pay | The employer pays the first 16 days; NAV pays from day 17, up to 6G (NOK 819,294 where 1G = NOK 136,549, as shown by NAV on 06/11/2026). Conditions: at least four weeks of work beforehand and income of at least half of 1G. Maximum 52 weeks for those under 67. | NAV – sickness benefit | Law |
| Notice | One month by default (unless otherwise agreed in writing or by collective agreement); at least two months after five years and three months after ten years with the employer. With a written trial period: 14 days. | Working Environment Act §15-3 | Law |
| Written contract | The Act sets requirements for a written contract of employment (§14-5). | Working Environment Act | Law |
| Minimum wage | No general statutory minimum wage. Legal minimum rates exist only in certain sectors (generally applicable collective agreements). Elsewhere pay is set by contract or by your employer's collective agreement. | Arbeidstilsynet | Law / collective agreement |
| Know your rights | Official summary for people working in Norway, in several languages. | Arbeidstilsynet | Guide |
Law, collective agreement, contract, practice: the law sets the floor; a collective agreement can improve it (and in some cases adjust it); your individual contract can only improve on both; "market practice" is not binding. Sunday, public-holiday and night-work rules are not summarised here: see Arbeidstilsynet. The Lovdata text is an unofficial translation, the Norwegian text prevails; holiday-pay accrual is under review by ESA. Not legal advice.
| Occupation (SSB STYRK-08 group) ⇅ | Employees ⇅ | Avg. monthly earnings, NOK ⇅ | Median, NOK ⇅ | Contract hours/week ⇅ | Change vs Q3 2025 ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All occupations | 2,882,119 | 61,670 | 56,070 | 29.4 | +4.1% |
| Nursing professionals | 30,738 | 65,070 | 64,010 | 30.7 | +2.7% |
| Electricians (building) | 34,386 | 55,890 | 55,840 | 35.2 | +4.1% |
| Software developers | 8,539 | 81,570 | 78,750 | 36.1 | +5.2% |
| Shop sales assistants | 175,376 | 41,810 | 42,700 | 18.1 | +4.1% |
| Cooks | 24,208 | 43,990 | 42,530 | 27.9 | +3.8% |
| Primary school teachers | 74,874 | 60,310 | 60,690 | 33.7 | +4.4% |
Gross monthly earnings before tax, all employees in Norway (not specific to this place), as defined by SSB. The occupation list is a selection, not the full catalogue. Averages hide big differences by employer, experience and collective agreement. Contract hours include part-time employees.
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