What are the benefits of working in Norway?

If you have found a job and, therefore, wish to work in Norway, know what benefits you, as a worker, are entitled to in the Nordic country.  Among all European countries, Norway has the second-highest GDP per capita. Globally, its GDP per capita is the sixth-highest.

Norway also offers one of the best living standards, and the average income is considerably higher than most countries in the world.

Some of the advantages of working in the Kingdom of Norway are as follows.

Work hours and holidays

The working hours in Norway are 8 hours per day, and there are five workdays per week. While there are ten annual public holidays, employees are entitled to 25 paid holidays as per the Holidays Act in Norway. It can, however, extend up to a period of five weeks. In lieu of paid holidays, employees can

Average incomes and taxes

The annual average gross salary in Norway is 636,688 NOK ($69,151). The pay will vary based on the employees' skill levels, work experience, age, and verticals. Although there is no minimum income, minimum earnings have been added to certain industries, including hospitality, construction, agriculture, and maritime.

The percentage of income tax that employees have to pay is based on their salaries.

Those earning a yearly income of up to NOK 190,350 have to pay 0% personal income tax, while those earning between NOK 190,350 and NOK 267,900 have to pay 1.7% income tax.

For individuals earning between NOK 267.900 and NOK 643,800, the tax rate is 4%.

The tax rate rises to 13.4% for those taking home earnings between NOK 643,800 and NOK 969,200

On the other hand, as per the new income tax rates, those earning between NOK 969,200 and NOK 2 million have to shell out 16.4% as income tax, while those making above NOK 2 million have to pay 17.4%.

Maternity leave

An expecting lady is eligible for a three-week leave before the delivery. She needs to produce a medical document that declares that she is healthy enough to continue working, failing which she has to take a six-week leave after her delivery.

Paternity leave

On the other hand, a father is eligible for a two-week leave. If the parents do not live under the same roof, another individual assisting the mother can be eligible for this leave. However, this leave is not a paid leave and is not entitled to financial assistance.

Caretaker leave

Children: Employees are eligible for ten days of leave per year if their child is sick, and if they are tending to two or more children, they can take up to 15 days off per year. Single parents' employees are eligible for twice the duration of the leaves mentioned above.

Parents of children with a disability or a chronic illness can take up to 20 days of leave per year.

Close relatives- If an employee is tending to a close relative with a terminal illness, he/she is eligible for a 60-day leave.

Parents, spouse/registered partner- Employees are entitled to 10-day leave every calendar year to take of a parent, registered partner, or a spouse.

Social security and benefits

Norwegian employees who work and pay taxes in the country are automatically made a part of the National insurance scheme funded by social security contributions.

The government of Norway decides the contribution amount. You will receive a Norwegian social security number or a D-number (temporary number) for new Norwegian arrivals – based on the duration employees are planning to stay in Norway.

The social security number, a personal identification number, is an eleven-digit number. There are eleven digits even on the temporary D-numbers. It is used as a proof of identity to show to all public authorities in Norway.

This social security number or D-number is essential for opening bank accounts or any other essential services in Norway.

While a Social Security Number is issued to people who have stayed in Norway for more than six months, those who live in Norway for six months or less will be issued a D-number.

Benefits of social security:

Employees will access an array of benefits, including family benefits, birth, pregnancy, and adoption benefits, sickness benefits, care services, healthcare services, occupational injury and illness benefits, disability benefits, work assessment allowances, retirement pensions, and financial assistance, and supplementary allowances.

Unemployment benefits

International employees who work and reside in Norway are inevitably covered for unemployment benefits through the National Insurance Scheme's membership. Employees must be notified if their positions are not temporary. If employees lose their jobs, they are entitled to unemployment allowances. If individuals have been fired, they need not report to work, and their employers need no longer pay their wages.

Sickness benefits

People who have worked in Norway for more than four weeks and are suddenly unable to work because of illness or an accident are entitled to sickness benefits. In certain cases, these benefits can be availed for up to a year.

The employees, in such cases, must show proof that they cannot work with a sick leave certificate or a personal declaration. An employer can be alerted of an employee's sickness with a personal statement.

Sickness benefits can be paid for a duration of up to a year. However, those on long-term sick leaves will have to be monitored by their doctors or employers to ensure that they could get resume work as soon as possible.

Those who may not be able to resume work even after one year are entitled to benefits like disability compensations or work assessment allowances.

If you are currently a UAE resident and plan to work in Norway, contact Y-Axis, the World's No. 1 Immigration Consultant.

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