Posting Employees from Outside the EU to Norway – What You Need to Know

December 11, 2024

Employees Hired Directly in Norway vs. Posted Employees – Key Differences


Employees Hired Directly in Norway:

  • These individuals sign an employment contract directly with a Norwegian employer.
  • They must hold a residence and work permit in Norway if they are not from a country within the European Economic Area (EEA).
  • They are subject to Norwegian labor laws, which include regulations on wages, working hours, and occupational health and safety.

Non-EEA Nationals Posted from EU Countries:

  • These individuals are employed by a company registered in an EU country (e.g., Portugal) that posts them to work in Norway.
  • Their employment is governed by the laws of the country where they are employed, but they must comply with Norwegian requirements for reporting residence and work. Emplyers mus also comply with many of the Norwegian Labour Code regulations. 
  • For assignments shorter than three months, they may work in Norway without an additional residence permit, provided they meet specific conditions.
  • Assignments exceeding three months require applying for a residence card (oppholdskort), which is issued for one year.

Requirements for Posted Employees


For a non-EU employee to be posted to Norway by a company from an EU country, the following conditions must be met:

  1. Posting Company: The company must be registered as a NUF (norskregistrert utenlandsk foretak), which is a foreign entity operating in Norway.
  2. Legal Employment in the EU Country: The employee must be legally employed by the posting company in the EU country.
  3. Notification of Posting: The employer must notify the relevant Norwegian authorities about the posting.

How Many Non-EU Employees Work in Norway?


Each year, thousands of employees from outside the European Union come to Norway. According to available data, Norway issues approximately 10,000 work permits annually to non-EEA nationals. These permits are granted to individuals directly employed in Norway or posted for extended periods exceeding the three-month work allowance or the one-year residence card validity.

Posting workers from third countries employed in EEA countries can be a suitable option for companies that do not plan a permanent presence in Norway but wish to undertake shorter-term projects.

Summary


Posting employees from outside the EU to Norway through companies registered in EU countries differs from direct employment in Norway. Posted employees remain affiliated with their employer in the EU country but must comply with Norwegian regulations for reporting residence and work. For companies planning postings, it is crucial to hold NUF registration and adhere to rules governed by Norwegian and EU laws.


If you want to learn more about posting employees to Norway, visit our website Novum.no. We are happy to assist with formalities! Are you interested in social insurance matters for posted employees in Norway? Unsure how to calculate and remit tax advances for posted workers? We have the answers to these questions!


Contact us:
office@novum.no

Questions about doing business & accounting services in Norway?

Send question now!
We are here to help you.
...