Can I get unemployment benefit in Norway if I resign?
Yes, but without good reason you are not paid unemployment benefit (dagpenger) for the first 18 weeks. The law calls this a sanction period (often called “karantene”), and it runs from the date you apply (National Insurance Act § 4-10). If it has happened two or more times within twelve months, the period is 26 weeks. If you had good reason to resign – for example health problems that stop you continuing in the job, or bullying or harassment at work – you get benefit from the first day you are entitled to it, but you must be able to document the reason. NAV only assesses this after you apply, so apply anyway: ideally two weeks before your last day of pay, and at the latest on the day you are no longer entitled to pay.
📋 The rules
- If you resign or leave without good reason, benefit is paid only after a sanction period of 18 weeks
- 26 weeks if it has happened two or more times in the last twelve months and NAV made a decision on it before
- The same applies if you are dismissed for reasons you can be blamed for
- The sanction period runs from the date you apply for benefit
- During the period you must be registered with NAV as a jobseeker, meet the benefit conditions and send employment status forms (meldekort)
- Basic conditions: you have lost at least 50% of your working hours, earned at least NOK 204,824 (1.5 G) in the last 12 months or NOK 409,647 (3 G) in the last 36 months, and are under 67
🔓 Exceptions
- Good reason, for example health problems or bullying and harassment at work: benefit from day one – but you must be able to document it
- No sanction period if you resign to move with your spouse or cohabitant to a new place of work elsewhere in Norway and you are a genuine jobseeker
- A sanction period can only be imposed for events no more than six months old, counted from when you are no longer entitled to pay
- Business income from your own sole proprietorship does not give a right to unemployment benefit
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The consequence is lost payments: 18 weeks without benefit, or 26 weeks if it is repeated within twelve months. Applying late can also cost you benefit, because you can get it at the earliest from the day you apply and register as a jobseeker. If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal to the NAV office that made it; the decision tells you how to appeal and the deadline.
📎 Official sources
- National Insurance Act § 4-10 · sanction period (in Norwegian) · Lovdata →
- NAV · Unemployment benefit (dagpenger) →
❓ Frequently asked
What is the “karantene” on unemployment benefit in Norway?
What people call karantene is a sanction period in the law: if you resign without good reason, you are not paid unemployment benefit for the first 18 weeks. If it has happened two or more times within twelve months, the period is 26 weeks. It runs from the date you apply.
What counts as good reason to resign?
NAV gives as examples that you cannot continue in the job because of health problems, or that you have been bullied or harassed at work. You must be able to document the reason. Resigning to move with your spouse or cohabitant to a new place of work elsewhere in Norway also means no sanction period, if you are a genuine jobseeker.
When should I apply if I resign myself?
NAV advises applying two weeks before your last day of pay, and you must apply at the latest on the day you are no longer entitled to pay to avoid losing benefit. You can get benefit at the earliest from the day you apply and register as a jobseeker. NAV decides whether you had good reason after you apply.
Do I have to send employment status forms during the 18 weeks?
Yes. You must be registered as a jobseeker, meet the benefit conditions and keep sending your employment status form (meldekort) every 14 days, even while no benefit is paid.
How much unemployment benefit will I get after the sanction period?
Unemployment benefit is 62.4% of your previous earned income, but income above NOK 819,294 (6 G) is not counted. If you earned at least NOK 273,098 (2 G) in the last 12 months or on average over the last 36 months, you can get benefit for up to 104 weeks, otherwise for up to 52 weeks.
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