Do I get paid when I am sick in Norway?
Yes — you have a right to sick pay from the first day of illness. The employer pays full salary during the employer period of 16 calendar days — calendar days, not working days — and then NAV takes over. For the first days you can use self-certification for up to 3 consecutive days, up to four times a year; in an inclusive-workplace business, up to 8 days. A doctor's note is required from the fourth day. Here is the trap for higher earners: sick pay from NAV is capped at 6 times the base amount (6G = 819,294 kr from May 2026), so if you earn more, your income drops from day 17 unless the employer covers the rest. You can get sick pay for up to 52 weeks, and you must have worked at least four weeks to qualify.
📋 The rules
- The employer pays full salary for 16 days, then NAV takes over
- Self-certification: 3 days at a time, up to 4 times a year
- Doctor's note from the fourth day
- Sick pay from NAV capped at 6G (819,294 kr from May 2026)
- Sick pay for up to 52 weeks
🔓 Exceptions
- In an inclusive-workplace business you can self-certify for up to 8 days at a time
- The self-employed get 80% from day 17 and can buy better cover
- You must have worked for at least four weeks to be entitled
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Abusing self-certification can cost you the right to use it: the employer can withdraw it, and then you need a doctor from the first day of illness. False information to NAV is more serious and can bring a claim to repay what you received, plus criminal liability for benefit fraud. What most people do not see coming is the cap: NAV pays only up to 6G, so higher earners who are ill for longer than the 16-day employer period lose money every month unless the employer covers the difference voluntarily. And after 52 weeks the sick pay stops altogether, however ill you still are.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How much sick pay do I get?
Full salary for the first 16 calendar days, paid by the employer. Then NAV takes over, but sick pay from NAV is capped at 6G, so if you earn more than that your full salary is not covered unless the employer pays the difference.
What is self-certification?
It means you report illness yourself without a doctor's note, for up to 3 consecutive days at a time and up to four times a year. If you work in an inclusive-workplace business you can self-certify for up to 8 days at a time.
When do I need a doctor's note?
From the fourth day of illness you must have a doctor's note. If the absence lasts longer than your self-certification days, or you have used up your four self-certifications for the year, you need a doctor to keep the right to sick pay.
How long can I get sick pay?
For up to 52 weeks. Once the sick-pay period is used up the payments stop even if you are still ill, and other NAV benefits such as work assessment allowance may then apply instead.
What is the cap on sick pay?
Sick pay from NAV is capped at 6 times the base amount, 819,294 kr from May 2026. The cap only bites from day 17, because during the 16-day employer period you get full salary whatever you earn.
🔎 Common searches
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