Social insurance in Norway

When you live in Norway

The principal rule is that everybody who is resident in Norway is covered by the national social insurance in Norway. This does not apply however if you work in a different country. If this is the case, you are a member in the country where you work.
EXCEPTION: If you are posteed by an employer in Norway to work in a different country for a limited period, you will continue to be covered by the social insurance in Norway.

When you work in Norway

The principal rule is that everybody who works in Norway is covered by the social insurance in Norway.
EXCEPTION: If you are posted by an employer in a different country to work in Norway for a limited period you are referred to as a “posted worker” and you will continue to be a member in the country from where you are posted.

If you are covered by the social security in Norway you could be entitled to the following

• Daily allowance if you become unemployed. Benefits during unemployment are part of the social insurance so you do not need to report to any unemployment fund.
• Treatment by a doctor and at a hospital as well as essential medicine are covered by the social insurance. You must however pay a proportion (excess) as a rule.
• Sickness benefit is based on your income if you should become sick or injured. This can be provided for one year.¨
• A rehabilitation benefit or vocational rehabilitation benefit or temporary benefit or early retirement pension if you do not return to work before the end of the sickness benefit period.
• Care allowance if you or your child requires special care in the home as a result of sickness or functional disability.
• Basic benefit to cover any necessary additional costs as a consequence of sickness.
  Given, for example, to provide a guide dog for a blind person, transport, costly diet or special food etc.
• Appliances/help for persons who are sick or who have a functional disability.
• Old age pension that has been earned in Norway. This is provided from the age of 67. You earn a pension entitlement, even though you may not be in employment, but only live in Norway.
  EXCEPTION: This does not apply if you already have a pension from another country or have ceased to work
• Maternity benefit if you need to stop work because you are pregnant.
• Parental benefit for 44 weeks after birth as compensation for loss of income from work. This is calculated in the same way as sickness benefit. Can be given for 54 weeks if you choose a reduced rate. The benefit period can be divided between the mother and father if both have earned the entitlement, i.e. have been gainfully employed during at lest six of the last ten months. Also applies during adoption.
• Single payment at birth where the person is not entitled to parental benefit.
  Also applies during adoption.
• Care benefit or temporary parental benefit as compensation for loss of income while caring for a sick child.
• Child allowance for children below the age of 18.
• Child-care allowance for children between the ages of 1 and 3 that do not attend a publicly- supported day-care centre.
• Benefit to a single mother or father if you are unmarried or single divorced person who is solely responsible for children below the age of 8.
• Maintenance support if you have a claim for maintenance from the other of the child’s parents and the person concerned does not pay maintenance.
• Surviver’s pension if you are a widow or a widower or a person who had earned a pension entitlement in Norway.
• Child pension to a child who has lost a parent and the deceased had earned a pension entitlement in Norway.
• Funeral grant that is means-tested.
•  In the event of occupational injury there are special, more advantageous rules that apply to the calculation of sickness benefit, disablement pension, child pension etc.

The Norwegian social insurance normally ceases when
- you take work in another country.
 EXCEPTION: Does not apply only if you have been posted by an employer in Norway to work in a different country for a limited period
or
- you move to a different country.
 EXCEPTION: Does not apply if you continue to work in Norway and do not take up employment in the new country of residence.

When you move to Norway you must

Notify the move to the national register in the country you move from. Find out more about this at www.nordisketax.net

When you work in Norway

You must make sure you get a tax card from the Norwegian tax authorities. Find out more about this at www.nordisketax.net

• You do not need to apply for a work permit if you are a Nordic citizen or citizen of an EU/EEA country You need to apply for a residence permit if you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country outside the Nordic area
• You need to apply for both a residence permit and a work permit if you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA
• Your employer is responsible for your being registered in the Norwegian register of employees
• It is not necessary to register with an unemployment benefit fund [arbeidsløshetskasse] since you will receive membership that covers your unemployment when you become a member of the Norwegian social security

If you are a pensioner and receive a pension from another Nordic country

• You will be able to transport this pension when you move to Norway
• You will become a member of the social insurance and will become entitled to health services (treatment by a doctor, treatment at a hospital etc.), European Health Insurance Card, child allowance for children below the age of 18 and other benefits that are not dependent on whether you work or have earned a pension entitlement in Norway
• You do not earn new pension entitlements in Norway if you do not work here.

More information

Special regulations for membership of social security apply to some groups.
Contact the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisation if you need more information.
You can also find more information at www.nav.no

About NAV

NAV is the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration that deals with unemployment benefit, national insurance pensions, family benefits and a range of other social benefits.
There is a NAV local office in each municipality in Norway. You should contact this office if you need to apply for an social benefit or need advice and guidance about insurance. You should also contact this office for employment or social aid for subsistence, housing allowance etc.

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