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Parental benefit

Translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →

Parental benefit replaces your income when you are home with a child after birth or adoption. Who can get it, for how long, and what if you don't qualify?

Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 21 September 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.

Parental benefit (foreldrepenger) replaces your income when you are to be home with the child at birth or adoption.

Who can get parental benefit?

According to NAV, you must normally:

have had income in at least six of the last ten months before the leave starts,
have an annual income of at least half the National Insurance basic amount (0.5 G),
be a member of the National Insurance Scheme,
be a parent of the child, or be able to document it.

You cannot receive parental benefit later than three years after the birth or adoption.

100 percent or 80 percent?

You choose whether you want 100 percent of your income over a shorter period, or 80 percent over a longer period. The total paid out is roughly the same. Income above six times the basic amount (6 G) is not counted.

For one child, as of 1 July 2024, NAV states:

Both parents have the right: 49 weeks at 100 percent, or 61 weeks and 1 day at 80 percent.
Only one parent has the right: 40 weeks at 100 percent, or 52 weeks and 1 day at 80 percent.

How is the period shared?

With 100 percent, 15 weeks are reserved for the mother and 15 weeks reserved for the father or co-mother. The rest is a shared period that you distribute freely. Take the part reserved for you, otherwise it may be lost. If the father or co-mother takes the shared period, an activity requirement generally applies to the mother: she must be in work, education or other approved activity.

How to apply

You can apply earliest from week 22 of the pregnancy (mother) or two weeks before the due date (father or co-mother). You must apply no later than three months after the month you want parental benefit for. NAV stated on 21 September 2026 a processing time of up to eight weeks when all documentation is in place.

If you don't qualify

If you don't meet the income requirement, you can apply for a lump-sum grant (engangsstønad) instead. You cannot get both a lump-sum grant and parental benefit for the same child.

Tip: Plan the distribution together early, and use NAV's calculator. If you are alone with the child, see Child benefit and extended child benefit.

NAV. Parental benefit (Norwegian) →

Sources

Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.

This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.