Sick Leave Benefit in Norway – How Not to Lose Money When Sick Abroad?

Illness or accident can happen to anyone, including people working in Norway. Fortunately, the Norwegian social security system provides financial support in the form of a sick leave benefit (Norwegian: sykepenger), which compensates for loss of income during incapacity for work. Below you will find the most important information to help you understand how this benefit works and what formalities you need to fulfill.

Who is entitled to sick leave benefit?

The right to sykepenger applies to people who:

• are covered by the Norwegian social security system,
• are unable to work due to illness or injury,
• have worked for a given employer for at least 4 consecutive weeks,
• have earned a minimum income corresponding to at least half of the Norwegian base amount (G).

An exception is when the illness or accident occurs at the workplace – in this case, the sick leave benefit may be granted from the very first day.

How to document incapacity for work?

• For the first 3 days of illness, you can use self-certification (egenmelding) if you have worked for the same employer for at least 2 months. You can do this up to 4 times a year, for a period of up to 3 days each time.
• If the illness lasts longer than 3 days, you must see a doctor for an official medical certificate (sykmelding).

How is the benefit paid?

• For the first 16 days of sick leave, your employer pays your salary at 100% of your normal wage for this period.
• From the 17th day, the benefit is paid by NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration). The amount is calculated based on your income from the last three months and can range from 20% to 100% of your full salary, depending on the degree of incapacity for work.
• The maximum period for receiving the sick leave benefit is 52 weeks.

What if you are unemployed?

If you lose your job and soon after fall ill, you may still be entitled to sick leave benefit from Norway, provided your incapacity for work started within a month of losing your job and the illness caused a loss of income corresponding to at least half of the Norwegian base amount (G).

In this case, you must submit a paper application to NAV. Remember that the benefit for unemployed persons is paid at about 65% of the base, not 100% as for employed persons.

Medical leave from Poland and benefit in Norway

If you fall ill while staying in Poland, you can apply for the Norwegian sick leave benefit based on a Polish medical certificate. In this case, you are required to submit a personal statement to NAV and send the Polish certificate. NAV may request additional documents, such as the E-115 form from the Polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), confirming your right to benefits.

Can you receive sick leave benefit while staying outside Norway?

The basic requirement for receiving the benefit is the willingness to return to the labor market as soon as possible. This means that while receiving benefits from NAV, you must stay in regular contact with your employer (and later also with your NAV caseworker) and try to jointly determine the earliest possible return to work.

Your employer may propose adjustments to your position, a change of position, and sometimes it is necessary to attend a meeting with your employer and a NAV representative. If returning to work in your current condition is not possible and both your employer and doctor do not object to your leaving Norway, you may travel and receive the benefit from NAV while abroad.

Summary

The sick leave benefit in Norway is important support for employees who lose income due to illness. To take advantage of it, you must meet several conditions regarding length of employment and formal confirmation of illness.

It is important to know your rights and obligations, especially if you fall ill while in Poland or are unemployed. If in doubt, consult an advisor or specialist who will help you go through the formalities and obtain the benefits you are entitled to.