Svangerskapspenger – Pregnancy benefit
Healthy pregnant women who cannot continue working during pregnancy because it may pose a risk to the child can receive pregnancy benefit. Women entitled to this benefit often take sick pay, which is incorrect and less favourable for the mother, as sick pay can be used later after the child is born.
The employer must adapt the tasks assigned to the pregnant woman to her abilities. If the type of work previously performed may harm the child, it should be considered whether the employee can be reassigned to another job or department. If this is not possible, the benefit is intended to maintain the current income.
1. Criteria for entitlement
1.1 Requirements
To be entitled to the benefit, you must have:
- a job that poses a risk to the unborn child
- an annual income of at least 62 014 NOK
- worked at least 4 weeks in Norway before applying
1.2 Types of risk
Examples of work situations that may pose a risk:
- work with chemical substances
- physically demanding work
- work under high stress
- psychosocial conditions
These include, for example, workplaces where:
- solvents are used and there is exposure to ionising radiation
- laboratory work involving contact with chemical and biological agents is carried out
- agriculture and horticulture are involved, due to pesticides and other chemical agents
- there is particulate pollution and welding work
- there is high noise or a high level of vibration
- heavy physical work and standing work are performed for most of the working day
- there is a risk of infection
- night shifts are worked
Many professions have regulated rules on when work in certain conditions may be dangerous.
1.3 Example
Flight attendant
According to the Civil Aviation Act, flight attendants may fly until the 26th week of pregnancy. After that, the employer is obliged to reassign the pregnant woman to other duties. If this is not possible, and the pregnant woman does not want to continue flying for fear of the child, she has full entitlement to apply for the benefit. If there are grounds for this, she may also do so before the 26th week of pregnancy specified in the Act.
2. Benefit amount
The amount of the benefit depends on the type of employment.
2.1 Employee or freelancer
The benefit is usually calculated on the basis of the average income over the last 3 calendar months before receiving the benefit. This applies both to people in permanent employment and to those with varying periods of work or income. However, if there is a difference of more than 25% between the annual income and the income over the last 3 months, it is considered which income is most representative in the given situation.
2.3 Self-employed
It is usually calculated on the basis of average income from the last 3 completed years. If the business or professional situation has changed permanently, the income earned at the time the benefit starts can be used.
Income above six times the basic amount is not included in the calculation.
3. Duration of the benefit
The benefit can be received from the time work is stopped until 3 weeks before the due date.
The benefit can be paid retroactively for up to 3 months.
The benefit is paid by the 25th of the month
4. Working while receiving the benefit
If there is an opportunity to work part-time, you can work part-time and receive the benefit at the same time. The benefit is therefore reduced in proportion to the part-time position taken up. For example, if we work 50% of a full-time position, we receive 50% of the benefit rate.
5. Required documentation / submitting the application
The application process takes place in two stages:
**Step 1: Download the form “**Skjema for tilrettelegging og omplassering ved graviditet”, and then:
- During a check-up or doctor’s appointment, the midwife or doctor completes part 1
- The form must be taken to the employer, who completes part 2
- Then you need to take a photo of the form or scan it
Step 2: Send us the necessary documentation to submit the application:
- Completed form (from step 1) – parts 1 and 2.
- Pregnancy documentation – the pregnancy card is mandatory; if there are additional pregnancy-related documents that may affect our application, they should also be attached. If the pregnancy is being monitored outside Norway, the documents must be translated into Norwegian or English.
- Payslips (all) for the current tax year.
- Lønns- og trekkoppgave – for the previous tax year (if available).
- Registration of residence in Norway or residence permit (registreringsbevis/oppholdstillatelse).
6. What does the service include?
The service includes:
- sending the application to NAV together with the required documentation (in the case of postal submission, we are not responsible for the postage),
- attaching additional documentation (up to 2 times); further sending of documents/messages relating to the case is chargeable.
NOTE: The decision on whether the benefit is granted rests with NAV in Norway. The service only covers mediation between you and the authority.