What to do if your employer does not pay feriepenger in Norway?

Feriepenger is the equivalent of "holiday pay" and is due to every employee in Norway. It is paid based on the gross income earned in the previous calendar year. The standard rate is:

• 10.2% of gross earnings (for most employees),
• 12% if you have a contract for 5 weeks of vacation (which applies to many employees in the public sector or collective agreements).

Usually, feriepenger is paid once a year, in spring or early summer, most often in June, before the planned holiday. Remember, it is not paid monthly (unless you have an unusual pay arrangement – rare in Norway). However, if you do not take a holiday in a given year, the employer must still pay feriepenger.

If you have ended your employment, feriepenger should be paid at the latest with your last salary, meaning in the month you finish your employment. You do not have to wait until June of the following year – you have the right to receive these funds immediately.

If you notice that feriepenger was not paid in June, even though you are still employed, or was not paid after leaving your job despite a month having passed since your last salary, you have every right to claim your money. Here is what you can do step by step:

Contact HR or your employer
Start by contacting them directly: ask when feriepenger will be paid, request written confirmation or a payment schedule.

Check your recent payslips (lønnsslipp)
Your payslip should show: feriepenger deducted from the previous year and the total accumulated in your feriepenger account. If they are not there, it may mean they have not been set aside – this is a serious violation.

Report the issue to NAV or Arbeidstilsynet (Labour Inspection Authority)
If your employer does not respond, report the issue to Arbeidstilsynet, the Labour Inspection Authority in Norway. Contact NAV if you believe your employee rights are being violated – they can guide you further. It is helpful to have evidence: your contract, payslips, and correspondence with your employer.

You can independently generate a payment demand for your feriepenger using the free and intuitive tool offered by the law firm Nierzwicki & Bluszko.

Generating a payment demand takes only a few minutes, and thanks to this tool, you will receive a ready document with your own handwritten signature (no need to print anything), streamlining the entire process.

Contact a trade union or lawyer
If you are a member of a trade union – contact them first. Not a union member? You can use the services of a legal advisor specializing in labor law. In some cases, you may be eligible for free legal assistance (e.g., if you have low income).

For cases related to unpaid feriepenger, you can seek assistance from the law firm Nierzwicki & Bluszko (nb-advokat.no), which specializes in cases involving Poles working in Norway. Their team understands the realities of the labor market and effectively supports clients in asserting claims against employers.

Claim your rights through court or the Labour Dispute Tribunal (Tvisteløsningsnemnda)
If all else fails, the final step is to pursue your claims legally. In Norway, cases involving unpaid wages and feriepenger are taken seriously.

You have 3 years to claim your rights related to feriepenger from the moment it should have been paid. However, the sooner you take action, the greater your chance of recovering the money.

Feriepenger is not a bonus or a favor from your employer – it is your guaranteed holiday pay. Your employer is obliged to pay it, and you have the right to claim it.

If you do not receive feriepenger, act – do not wait: make a written claim and seek help from institutions.

Contact the law firm Nierzwicki & Bluszko (nb-advokat.no) to receive comprehensive assistance in obtaining your money and all necessary information.