Polish and Norwegian Labor Law: Surprising Differences You Need to Know

Although the land of fjords is tempting with its salaries, when it comes to strict statutory guarantees, there is a huge gap between Polish and Norwegian labor law—and it is often Poland that offers stronger protection for the "weaker party." Together with Advokatfirma Nierzwicki & Bluszko, we examine where the pitfalls lie.

The Polish system is precise: you must sign your contract no later than on your first day of work. Norway gives the employer much more flexibility—the documents should be provided "as soon as possible," but the law allows up to 7 days, and in some cases even up to a month.

There are also differences in job stability:

• Fixed-term contracts: In Poland, after 33 months or 3 contracts, you are automatically switched to a permanent position. In Norway, there is no strict limit on contracts, and the right to permanent employment appears only after 3-4 years, and not automatically.
• Documentation: Poland requires mandatory personnel files. In Norway, there is no unified documentation system.

Ending employment in Norway can be a shock for a Pole. In Poland, after more than 3 years of service, the notice period is 3 months. In Norway, with 5 years of service, it is usually only 2 months.

The content of the document is crucial:

• Poland: The notice must always be in writing and include a specific justification.
• Norway: Although the form must be written, the employer is not required to provide a written justification for their decision.

Although both countries have a standard of 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, Polish labor law includes a 15-minute break in this time. In the Norwegian system, this time is calculated without breaks, which means that the statutory working time, including breaks, is 42.5 hours per week. While the vast majority of companies use a contractual 40-hour week including breaks, this must be explicitly stated in the employment contract.

The financial differences are even more pronounced:

• Overtime bonuses: In Poland, it's 50% or 100%. In Norway, the statutory minimum is only 40%.
• Night and holidays: Polish regulations guarantee a 20% bonus for night work and 100% for Sundays/holidays. In Norway, as a rule, there are no such statutory guarantees.
• Minimum wage: In Poland, there is a nationwide minimum wage (currently 4806 PLN gross). In Norway, there is no minimum wage, except for minimum hourly rates set for only a few professional sectors.

This is where misunderstandings most often arise. In Poland, you are entitled to paid leave already in your first year of work. In Norway, leave in the first year is unpaid. The famous feriepenger is paid only from the second year of employment.

What do you lose in Norway?

• On-demand leave: In Poland, it's 4 days; in Norway, there is none.
• Special leave: In Poland, events like weddings or funerals mean paid days off. In Norway, the law does not provide for this.
• Calculation method: The Polish 20/26 days are counted from Monday to Friday. The Norwegian 25 days are counted from Monday to Saturday (effectively 4 weeks and 1 day).

The Polish Labor Code offers strong "paternalism" in protecting vulnerable groups:

• Pre-retirement protection: Ban on dismissal 4 years before retirement in Poland. In Norway, there is no such protection.
• Pregnant women: In Poland, full protection against dismissal (except in case of company bankruptcy). In Norway, protection is relative—you can be dismissed for reasons related to the company.
• Severance pay: In Poland, severance pay is due in case of dismissal not caused by the employee. In Norway, there is no such regulation.

If you get into a dispute with your boss, the Polish system protects you as the "weaker party"—the risk of legal costs is minimal, and labor courts are specialized.

In Norway, the situation is more difficult:

• No specialized labor courts (judges are generalists).
• Significant risk of incurring high legal costs if you lose.
• Liability for damages: In Poland, limited to 3 times your salary. In Norway, in principle, unlimited.

The differences between the Polish and Norwegian systems are huge. Norwegian law emphasizes your independence and responsibility, which can be costly without the right knowledge. If you have doubts about your contract, notice, or outstanding payments:

Contact Advokatfirma Nierzwicki & Bluszko AS.

We specialize in helping Poles in Norway fight for their rights. We combine excellent knowledge of Norwegian realities with a Polish understanding of client needs.

Call or write to us today and make sure your rights are properly protected!