Sick Without a Medical Certificate in Norway: How to Use Egenmelding?
Are you ill and unable to go to work? In Norway, you do not always need a medical certificate from a doctor. You can report your illness to your employer yourself. This is called egenmelding. Find out how to use it and what to watch out for so you do not lose money.
Enter text here
In terms of the number of sick leaves taken during the year, Norwegians have surpassed even Swedes and Danes.
fotolia.com/Royalty Free
Who can use egenmelding?
As a rule, you must have worked for the employer in question for at least 2 months. If you change companies, this period usually starts again from scratch.
This is a different requirement from the employment period needed to receive sickness benefits from your employer. That period is generally 4 weeks. So, you may be entitled to payment during your illness but still need a medical certificate from the very first day.
This is a different requirement from the employment period needed to receive sickness benefits from your employer. That period is generally 4 weeks. So, you may be entitled to payment during your illness but still need a medical certificate from the very first day.
How many days can you stay at home?
The basic rules allow you to use egenmelding:
The 12-month period is what counts. The limit does not automatically renew on 1 January.
Some companies allow more. It is often up to 8 days at a time and up to 24 days within 12 months. Ask your employer which rules apply to you.
- for up to 3 calendar days during a single absence;
- up to 4 times within 12 months.
The 12-month period is what counts. The limit does not automatically renew on 1 January.
Some companies allow more. It is often up to 8 days at a time and up to 24 days within 12 months. Ask your employer which rules apply to you.
The weekend counts too
Did you not come to work on Friday and are you still ill on Monday? Monday is already the fourth day of illness. Saturday and Sunday are also included in the limit.
If your company has a 3-day limit, you need a medical certificate from Monday onwards. Even if you were not scheduled to work during the weekend.
A short return to work does not always reset the count either. If you become ill again within 16 calendar days of returning, the previous days of egenmelding are included in the limit.
If your company has a 3-day limit, you need a medical certificate from Monday onwards. Even if you were not scheduled to work during the weekend.
A short return to work does not always reset the count either. If you become ill again within 16 calendar days of returning, the previous days of egenmelding are included in the limit.
Report your illness immediately
Notify your employer as soon as possible, on the first day of your absence. Check who you need to inform and how. For example, the company may require you to call your supervisor.
Do not delay reporting it. As a rule, sickness benefits from your employer are payable from the day you inform them about your illness. Exceptions apply where earlier notification was impossible.
After returning to work, you may also be required to complete a form. Make sure to do so, even if you previously reported your illness by phone.
Do not delay reporting it. As a rule, sickness benefits from your employer are payable from the day you inform them about your illness. Exceptions apply where earlier notification was impossible.
After returning to work, you may also be required to complete a form. Make sure to do so, even if you previously reported your illness by phone.
Are you ill for longer? Contact a doctor
Once you have used your available days of egenmelding, you need a medical certificate for any further absence. Under the basic limit, your employer may require one from the fourth calendar day of illness.
Do not wait to contact a doctor. A certificate backdated to an earlier date is possible only in special circumstances. Simply miscounting the days is not enough.
The lack of a required medical certificate may mean losing sickness benefits also for the earlier days covered by egenmelding. An exception may apply if you were unable to see a doctor and it can be confirmed that your illness had already prevented you from working.
MultiNOR advertisement: Do you need help with sickness benefits? MultiNOR helps with formalities and explains letters from NAV. Check help with sickness benefits.
Do not wait to contact a doctor. A certificate backdated to an earlier date is possible only in special circumstances. Simply miscounting the days is not enough.
The lack of a required medical certificate may mean losing sickness benefits also for the earlier days covered by egenmelding. An exception may apply if you were unable to see a doctor and it can be confirmed that your illness had already prevented you from working.
MultiNOR advertisement: Do you need help with sickness benefits? MultiNOR helps with formalities and explains letters from NAV. Check help with sickness benefits.
Can your employer take away your right to use egenmelding?
Yes. They may do so, among other things, if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the absence is not due to illness.
Before making a decision, they must give you the opportunity to present your position. After 6 months, they are required to reassess the matter. However, the right to use egenmelding does not return automatically.
Your employer does not pay sickness benefits. What should you do?
Ask for an explanation of the refusal, preferably in writing. Keep messages regarding the reporting of your illness and any documents you submitted.
If you believe you are entitled to sickness benefits, contact NAV. You can apply for payment for the period that should have been paid by your employer. The authority will check whether you are entitled to this money.
MultiNOR advertisement: Has your employer not paid sickness benefits for the first 16 days? MultiNOR can prepare a letter to NAV requesting payment of benefits for that period. Order the preparation of a letter to NAV.
Sources: NAV, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, Altinn, and Norwegian regulations on sickness benefits.
If you believe you are entitled to sickness benefits, contact NAV. You can apply for payment for the period that should have been paid by your employer. The authority will check whether you are entitled to this money.
MultiNOR advertisement: Has your employer not paid sickness benefits for the first 16 days? MultiNOR can prepare a letter to NAV requesting payment of benefits for that period. Order the preparation of a letter to NAV.
Sources: NAV, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, Altinn, and Norwegian regulations on sickness benefits.
How do you rate this article?