Employment contract in Norway: Template, Key Clauses and Local Law (2026)

What the law requires in Norway In Norway a written employment contract is mandatory for every employee. The rule comes from the Working Environment Act (arbeidsmiljoloven), which governs most of the employment relationship. For an engagement expected to last more than one month, the written contract must be in place as soon as possible and within seven days of the employee starting work. For shorter engagements it must be ready immediately. Norwegian employment law is strongly protective and much of it cannot be contracted away. Norway is not an EU member but it is part of the European Economic Area, so a large body of EU employment and data protection rules apply through the EEA Agreement. The contract can improve on the statutory minimums, never fall below them, and collective agreements often add further rights on top. This page is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority before relying on them. ## Mandatory content the written contract must include The Working Environment Act lists the matters a written contract must cover. In practice these include: - The identity of the parties and the place of work.

• A description of the work or the employee's title or category.
• The start date, and for a temporary contract its expected duration and the basis for it.
• Any probationary period and its length.
• The employee's right to leave and holiday pay.
• Notice periods for both sides.
• Pay, including any supplements and allowances, the method and timing of payment.
• Working hours, including length and placement of the daily or weekly working time, and any arrangements for shifts.
• Any collective agreement that governs the relationship. Because the required content is set by law, leaving a point out is a breach, and the omission is read against the employer. ## A Norwegian employment contract template you can adapt ``` EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT (ARBEIDSAVTALE) Employer: [company name, organisation number, address] Employee: [full name, address] Date: [date] 1. POSITION AND PLACE OF WORK Title: [title]. Main duties: [description]. Place of work: [address or arrangement]. 2. START DATE AND TYPE Employment begins on [date]. This is [permanent / temporary]. [For temporary: expected to end on [date / event] on the basis of [lawful ground], and the reason is stated here as the law requires.] 3. PROBATION A probationary period of [up to 6] months applies. During probation the notice period is 14 days. [State in writing; probation must be agreed.] 4. WORKING HOURS Ordinary working hours are [hours] per week, placed [days and times]. [Any shift or averaging arrangement.] 5. PAY Salary is [amount] per [year / month], paid on [date] each month, plus [supplements, overtime, allowances]. 6. HOLIDAY AND HOLIDAY PAY The employee is entitled to holiday and holiday pay under the Holidays Act (ferieloven): at least 25 working days (based on a six-day week), with holiday pay of at least 10.2 percent of the previous year's pay. 7. NOTICE The notice period is [statutory minimum or longer], running from the first day of the month after notice is given, unless agreed otherwise. 8. COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT [Name any applicable collective agreement, or state none applies.] 9. CONFIDENTIALITY The employee keeps the employer's confidential information private during and after employment. 10. PENSION AND INSURANCE The employer provides occupational pension (OTP) and any agreed insurance. Signed: Employer ____________ Employee ____________ Date ______