2021 Holidays - Norway

Norway Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. Entitlement to Public Holidays

- General Entitlement: Employees are entitled to public holidays as days off if they fall on regular workdays, with pay guaranteed for employees on fixed monthly salaries.

- Hourly Employees: Hourly paid employees are typically not entitled to pay for public holidays unless they work on those days or their employment contract specifically states otherwise. Source

2. Working on Public Holidays

- Prohibition of Work: Work on public holidays is generally prohibited during specific hours (from 18:00 on the day before the holiday until 22:00 on the holiday itself). Exceptions apply to industries requiring continuous operations, such as healthcare, transport, or emergency services.

- Compensation: Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to higher pay, usually an additional 100% of their normal hourly rate, depending on their employment agreement or collective bargaining agreements. Source

3. Holidays Falling on Weekends

- No Automatic Substitution: If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is observed on that day without a substitute weekday being declared. For example, if Constitution Day (May 17) falls on a Sunday, it is observed on Sunday itself, and employees do not get an additional day off during the workweek.

- Sector-Specific Practices: Some private companies or collective agreements may allow for flexibility and offer additional rest days for weekend public holidays, but this is not a legal requirement.

- Government-Specific Observance: Public offices and schools strictly follow the observed date, even if it coincides with the weekend.

4. Additional Notes

- Collective Agreements and Contracts: Specific agreements between employers and employees or collective agreements may provide additional holiday-related benefits, such as extra pay or replacement days for weekend holidays.

- Public Institutions: Most public services, such as schools and government offices, are closed on public holidays, even when they fall on weekends.

- Holiday Pay: Public holidays do not affect the accrual or disbursement of holiday pay, which is managed separately under Norwegian law.