Understanding Egenmelding Rules

What is egenmelding and how does it work? Learn the mandatory rules, waiting periods, and limits for self-certified sick leave under Norwegian labor law.

The Norwegian workplace culture is famously built on a high level of trust between employers and employees. A prime example of this is egenmelding (self-certified sick leave).

Instead of forcing you to visit a doctor the moment you get a cold or a minor illness, the system allows you to notify your employer directly that you are unable to work due to illness, no medical report required.

However, this trust-based system comes with clear legal boundaries. Here is everything you need to know to stay compliant with the regulations.

The 2-Month Rule 
You cannot use self-certification on your very first day at a new company. To qualify for the right to use an egenmelding, you must have worked for your employer for at least 8 consecutive weeks prior to your first day of sickness.

What happens if you get sick earlier? If you fall ill before reaching the 8-week milestone, you are not legally entitled to self-certification. You will need to provide a formal doctor’s note (sykemelding) from day one to claim your sick pay.

Notification Requirements 
Timing is critical when reporting your absence. You must notify your employer as soon as possible on the first day of your absence, typically before your scheduled shift begins.

Days and Frequency
There are strict limits on how often and for how long you can use self-certification:

• Maximum Duration: An egenmelding can only be used for up to 3 calendar days at a time. If you are still too sick to work on the 4th day, you must contact a doctor for a medical certificate.
• Maximum Frequency: You can only use this system 4 times within a rolling 12-month period.

Note:  If you run out of your 4 allowed periods, your employer can require a doctor’s note for any future sick leave until your quota resets.

Calendar Days vs. Working Days
A common mistake that trips up employees involves weekends. The law counts calendar days, not working days.

If you call in sick on Friday using an egenmelding, and you are still sick on Monday, the weekend days (Saturday and Sunday) count toward your 3-day limit. In this scenario, you would need a doctor's certificate to cover your absence on Monday.

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