Working Hours in Norway

Standard Working Hours

• Normal work week: 37.5 hours (Monday–Friday)
• Standard work day: 7.5 hours (typically 07:00–15:00 or 08:00–16:00)
• Maximum legal work week: 40 hours (without overtime)
• Lunch break: 30 minutes (unpaid, not counted in 7.5 hours)
• Working days per year: approximately 230 (after holidays and vacation)

Overtime Rules

Norwegian law strictly regulates overtime. All hours beyond 37.5 per week must be compensated at premium rates:

• Maximum overtime: 10 hours/week, 25 hours/4 weeks, 200 hours/year
• Overtime must be agreed upon — employers cannot force it without good reason
• Many construction workers regularly work 45–50 hours/week including overtime

Vacation and Holidays

• 25 vacation days per year by law (5 full weeks)
• Workers over 60 get an additional week (6 weeks total)
• Holiday pay (feriepenger): 10.2% of previous year's gross salary, paid in June
• 10 public holidays per year (New Year's Day, Easter, Christmas, etc.)
• Norway celebrates "fellesferien" — a common vacation period in July when many businesses slow down

Work-Life Balance

Norway consistently ranks among the best countries in the world for work-life balance. Norwegians value personal time, and it is culturally accepted to leave work on time. Most offices empty by 16:00.