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Days off and Holidays in Norway

If you live in Norway and want to plan a vacation, visit your relatives or you are simply interested in Norwegian culture – we invite you to read more. In this article you will find out, among other things what are the days off and holidays in Norway and what are the most important of them.

Norway has always been very popular among economic migrants. Data from the Central Statistical Office (SSB) show that almost 15% of the fjords country’s population are national minorities.

Currently, entry to Norway is possible. People who are vaccinated required to:

  • submit to the antigen test directly at the border
  • register on the site https://reg.entrynorway.no/?lang=pl

Other people required to:

  • do an antigen test or PCR 24 hours before the arrival
  • submit to a 10-day quarantine (it can be shortened after 3 days of stay, if we get a negative test result)
  • register on the site https://reg.entrynorway.no/?lang=pl

Are you looking for a job in Norway?

Days off in Norway in 2022

Most days off in Norway are associated with the celebration of religious holidays. In Norway, there is a total of 11 public holidays. You can find their summary in the table below:


Date
Holiday

January 1 (Saturday)
New Year’s Day (Nyttårsdag)

April 14
Holy Thursday (Skjærtorsdag)

April 15
Good Friday (Langfredag)

April 17 (Sunday)
Easter (Påskedag)

April 18
Easter Monday (Andre Påskedag)

May 1 (Sunday)
Labor Day (Første mai)

May 17 (Tuesday)
Constitution Day (Grunnlovsdagen)

May 26 (Thursday)
Ascension of the Lord (Kristi himmelfartsdag)

June 6

Pentecostal Monday (Whit Monday)

December 25 (Sunday)

1st Christmas Day (Første juledag)

December 26 (Monday)
2nd Christmas Day (Andre juledag)

Traditions in Norway

As mentioned above, Norwegians celebrate Easter and Christmas. Nevertheless, the ways of celebration are marked by Norwegian culture. What is worth knowing?

Easter:

  • The celebration of Easter is associated by Norwegians primarily with free time spent with family or with friends. Only 5% of residents celebrate these holidays in the church
  • Easter break from work begins on Holy Thursday. On this day, the stores remain closed and do not open until Saturday. They close again for the remaining days
  • the most popular form of spending time are trips to the mountains or the lake
  • Norwegians devote their days off to cultivating the Påskekrim tradition of reading Norwegian crime novels. In addition, they listen together to radio broadcasts, watch TV series or play board games
  • traditional dishes vary by region, however, on each table there are eggs, homemade bread, roast lamb or roasted turkey
  • Both children and adults eat during this time huge amounts of marzipan sweets and oranges. The symbols of Easter are Kvikk Lunsj (chocolate bar) and Solo drink (of course orange flavor!)

Christmas:

  • you can feel the Christmas atmosphere already in November. During this period, Norwegian companies prepare fancy employee events called Julebord, of which an inseparable element is eating traditional Norwegian dishes, as well as singing Christmas songs together.
  • in Norway, Christmas markets (julemarked) are very popular, where you can buy and wrap gifts, meet friends or taste mulled wine with spices
  • December 23 is Lille julaften, or little Christmas Eve, preparation time: cleaning, decorating the Christmas tree, preparing dishes, decorating the house with Christmas decorations

Interestingly! On Christmas Eve, you do not give up eating meat. It appears on the Christmas table in dizzying amounts. On this day, you can try, among others: baked bacon or dried sheep ribs.

The first and second days of holidays are statutory days off. It is an occasion to feast, talk and rest together. It is also a time of reflection. Most Norwegians then go to the cemeteries to visit the dead.

What holidays may still surprise us during a stay in Norway?

The feast of light and the beginning of the joyful period of preparation for Christmas under the patronage of St. Lucy. According to tradition, girls dress in white robes and put a crown of candles on their heads. The celebration of this holiday is accompanied by numerous performances and singing, as well as the preparation of traditional saffron rolls.


Name of Holiday
DateDescription
Constitution DayMay 17A very joyful day in Norway, commemorating the signing of the constitution and independence from Sweden. During the celebration of this festiwal, the cities are displayed with Norwegian flags, and the streets are wandered by Norwegians derssed in traditional costumes (bunad) and cotillions, shouting Gratulerer med dagen! – All the best!
Jonsok
The night of June 23-24Norwegian Midsummer, that is, welcoming summer in the shortest nights of the year. This tradition dates back to pagan times. Despite the fact that Jonsok is not a day off from work, the Norwegians take part in the ceremonies in large numbers. Bonfires, dances, wreaths floating on the water, boat trips and fireworks displays make this night magical.
Lucia-Fest
December 13The feast of light and the beginning of joyful period of preparation for Christmas, under the patronage of St. Lucy. According to tradition, girls dress in white robes and put a crown of candles on their heads. The celebration of this holiday is accompanied by numerous performances and singing, as well as the preparation of the Saffron rolls.

Many economic migrants spend Christmas abroad

And, for some reasons, cannot return to their homeland. This special time intensifies the feeling of loneliness and homesickness, but it can be remedied! Celebrating holidays in another country does not have to be a cause for sadness. It’s time to get to know a different culture and share your own traditions with local people.

Holidays in Norway

The issue of payment for days off depends primarily on our employment contract, as well as on the goodwill of the employer. As a rule, if we receive a fixed monthly salary, all days off are counted towards the payment. Where we have a fixed hourly rate, only the hours worked are paid.

The employee is entitled to 25 days of vacation. If we plan a vacation on a specific date, this fact should be reported to the employer two months in advance.

An employed person may request an uninterrupted 3 weeks of vacation during the holiday period from June 1 to September 30.

But in Norway, there is a holiday allowance either, i.e. at least 10.2% of gross wage, which replaces the holiday pay.

Important! If the Constitution Day and Labor Day fall on working days, the employer is obliged to pay for them.

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