Your rights
It’s important that you know your rights and obligations related to your employment in Norway.
When you work in Norway, you’re entitled to, among other things:
- a written employment contract
- minimum wage in some sectors
- holidays and holiday pay
- overtime pay if you work overtime
- an HSE card if you work with cleaning, manual car care, wheel changing and wheel storage or carry out work on building and construction sites. From 1 January 2026, there's also a requirement to hold an HSE card in the goods transport sector.
You can find more information about your rights on the Labour Inspection Authority's website.
The Labour Inspection Authority can help you. The Labour Inspection Authority has a duty of confidentiality, and you can choose to be anonymous. There are several ways you can contact the Labour Inspection Authority.
- You can get in touch via a contact form that's available in several languages.
- You can submit an anonymous tip.
- You can call (+47) 73 19 97 00.
- You can visit the Labour Inspection Authority at SUA. You do not have to book an appointment.
Contact form in several languages (arbeidstilsynet.no)
Submit an anonymous tip (arbeidstilsynet.no)
Opening hours for the Labour Inspection Authority at SUA
If you lose your job or become ill
You may be entitled to sickness benefits from the Labour and Welfare Service (Nav) if you become ill. You may be entitled to unemployment benefit from Nav if you lose your job or you’re laid off.
Read more about sickness benefit (nav.no)
Read more about unemployment benefit (nav.no)
Join a trade union
A trade union is an organisation that works on your behalf. It negotiates wages, working hours, and holidays for you. It can also offer legal help if you come into conflict or have problems at work. Trade unions also offer benefits such as favourable loan rates and discounts on insurance and mobile phone subscriptions. You pay a fixed amount every month to be a member of a trade union.
The Labour Inspection Authority recommends that everyone join a trade union. In Norway, there are four main organisations: LO, Unio, Akademikerne, and YS. Most trade unions are part of one of these four organisations.
You can use the trade union guide to get an overview and compare the different trade unions in Norway.