Are you unable to do your job because of illness or injury? The Norwegian social system has anticipated these circumstances and made it possible to access appropriate benefits to compensate for lost income. The first step in getting unemployment benefit is applying for a sick leave in Norway.
What is sykemelding?
However, before you start applying for sick leave in Norway, it is worth explaining what it is. Sykemelding it is necessary for sickness benefit (norw. sykepenger). Basically, the Norwegian social welfare system distinguishes between two types of sick leave: issued by a doctor and the so-called egenmelding, i.e. the employee's declaration of incapacity for work.
Egenmelding
Sick leave in Norway may take the form of your own declaration of incapacity for work. It is important to note that this type of declaration can also be made in the case of a child who is under 12 years of age. The privilege of using egenmelding you are entitled if you have been working for one employer for at least 2 months.
How long does egenmelding take?
As a rule, your own sick leave may last for 16 calendar days. However, after 3 days of your absence from work, the employer may demand that you show it sick leave issued by a doctor. It is worth knowing that some employees are entitled to an extended sick leave period based on their own declaration. This applies especially to, among others: elderly people or disabled people - in this case you can exercise the right for up to 24 days without the need to provide an appropriate form from a doctor.
Sick leave in Norway
In some cases it may be necessary to show the appropriate sick leave. Such a document is issued in three versions: for the employee, for the employer and for NAVu. Importantly, this type of form may be required by the employer after 3 days of sickness on its own declaration, and certainly by NAV after 16 days of incapacity for work.
Sickness benefit
Presentation of sick leave in Norway is the first step to obtain the right to compensation for temporary incapacity for work. Right to sickness benefit (Norwegian) sykepenger) is available regardless of the current place of stay. In practice, this means that it can be used by an employee who is currently in Poland. The necessary conditions, however, are:
- inability to work due to a health condition,
- payment of contributions due to health insurance in Norway,
- obtaining the required income minimum, i.e. NOK 46 817 per year,
- employment for a minimum of 4 weeks with one employer.
Sykepenger payout
Sickness Benefit can take up to 52 weeks to be paid from the first day of illness. If, after this period, your illness still prevents you from working, you have the right to apply for other benefits, e.g. for a pension in Norway. Importantly, the employer pays the benefit only for the first 16 calendar days, after which NAV takes over this obligation.
Height sykepenger depends on what income you have achieved in the last 4 weeks of work. The final amount of Illness Benefit can be between 20% and 100% of your earnings during the conversion period.
