Hiring in Norway - How To Hire Norwegian Employee

What should I know about hiring in Norway?

Norway is known for its progressive work culture and high standards of employee rights and protection. As such, it’s a great place to expand your business operations and hire local experts.

However, in order to successfully recruit and onboard employees from Norway, employers need to be familiar with Norwegian labor laws, including employment contracts, working hours, minimum wages, vacation entitlements, and leaves.

Besides compliance with local labor laws, the Norwegian business culture prioritizes equal treatment, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Promoting transparent work environments and employee well-being are among the most crucial aspects of successfully hiring and expanding your business operations in the country.

Why is Norway a good choice for finding remote employees?

Norway is among the most attractive countries for promoting a remote work culture. Considered a highly technologically-advanced country, Norway embraces digital solutions, focuses on innovation, and promotes remote practices and digital communication.

On top of promoting remote environments, Norway’s labor laws emphasize prioritizing work-life balance and employee satisfaction. The Norwegian labor regulations ensure fair treatment, appropriate compensation packages, reliable work environments, and autonomy.

Finally, Norway boasts a large talent pool in industries such as technology, engineering, and marketing. Norwegian professionals are also proficient in English, facilitating the opportunity to set up an international remote organization and achieve smooth communication.

How can Native Teams help you hire in Norway

Native Teams can assist you in staying compliant with Norwegian labor laws and regulations. Our EOR and PEO solutions are designed to help businesses navigate the dynamic local law landscape and successfully hire and onboard Norwegian employees. Utilizing our local tax and labor law experts, you can get guidance and support in achieving compliance and successfully tackling all the challenges of recruiting Norwegian talents.

Hire your first Norwegian employee with Native Teams.

Legal requirements for hiring in Norway

Minimum wage

There is no official national minimum wage in Norway. The minimum wage is regulated depending on the specific industry of operation and employment contract.

Contributions & taxes

Employer tax

The employer contribution in Norway is 14.1%.

Corporate tax

The corporate tax in Norway ranges from 22% to 25%, depending on the sector.

Employee tax

The total employee cost in Norway is 8.10%.

Income tax

The base income tax in Norway is 22%. However, there is a progressive income tax for individuals who earn more than NOK 198,349 as follows:

From NOK 198,350 to NOK 279,149 – 1.7%
From NOK 279,150 to NOK 642,949 – 4%
From NOK 642,950 to NOK 926,799 – 13.5%
From NOK 926,800 to NOK 1,499,999 – 16.5%
NOK 1,500,000 and above – 17.5%

To calculate the salary and taxes in Norway please click here.

Payroll cycle

The payroll in Norway runs on a monthly schedule.

Is there a 13th salary in Norway?

There is no statutory requirement for a 13th salary in Norway.

Labor rules

Probation period rules

The probation period in Norway is up to 6 months.

Notice period

The employee notice period in Norway is 1 month. However, the employer notice period can range from 1 to 6 months, depending on the employment contract, the employee’s age and the time of service.

Severance pay

There are no statutory requirements for severance pay in Norway.

Working hours

The standard workweek in Norway consists of 9 working hours per day, 40 hours per week.

Leave and benefits

Public holidays

Norway celebrates the following national holidays:

New Year’s Day
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labor Day
Constitution Day
Ascension Day
Pentecost
Whit Monday
Christmas Day
St Stephens’ Day

Sick leave

Norwegian employees are entitled to 16 days of 100% paid sick leave. The sick leave can be up to 6 months and is paid by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service after the 16th day.

Maternity leave & Paternity leave

Employees in Norway are entitled to 59 weeks of maternity leave, paid at 80%, or 49 weeks of leave paid at 100%. The maternity leave may be split between the two parents, except for the 3 weeks before the birth and the 6 weeks after the birth which are reserved for the mother.

Other leave

Parental leave

Each of the parents is entitled to 1 year of parental leave for each childbirth, which should be taken immediately after the first year.

What are the minimum vacation days?

Norwegian employees are entitled to a minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave.

Insurance

Health security & private insurance

Anyone who has worked for an employer for at least three months within the previous fifteen months is entitled to free medical and dental care through the Social Security Administration.

*Native Teams can support you in finding the best private insurance in the country. Contact us and we will send a comparison of insurance packages and prices.*

Visa

Relocation and work permits

Native Teams will apply for your work visa in the nation on your behalf and serve as your Employer of Record. All the required documents can be uploaded using our app. Until you have your work and residency visa, Native Teams will support you by providing you with frequent information on the progress.

How long is the visa/work permit process?

2 to 4 weeks depending on the authorities and provided documents.

Which documents do you need?

To apply for a visa/work permit in Norway, upload the documents from our onboarding list (relocation to log in/pricing).

Why use Native Teams for hiring in Norway?

Native Teams lets you employ team members ‘like a local’ meaning you get all the benefits of a global team, wherever you are based. Here are the reasons why you should use Native Teams for hiring:

No paperwork: We will handle all the necessary paperwork for you.
Save on taxes: We help you handle your taxes.
No company set up: You can expand your business using our company entitles.
Online onboarding: We’re here to ensure your onboarding process is trouble-free.
No accounting: We will handle all of your accounting needs, including invoicing, payroll, and more.
Increase your profit: We assist you in growing your business and maximizing your profits.
Compliance expertise: we can assist your company in navigating the regulatory environments and ensure you meet all relevant requirements.
Local support: We can assist you in understanding and complying with the relevant local laws.