The basic amount (G) is 136 549 kroner from 1 May 2026. This figure is the unit of measurement NAV uses in decisions about sickness benefits, unemployment benefits, disability benefits and pensions. It is adjusted once a year, effective from 1 May.
What is the basic amount (G)?
The basic amount is a kroner amount in the national insurance system that rates and limits are calculated from. Instead of writing a fixed kroner amount in the law, the legislature writes "six times the basic amount" or "0.5 G". This way, the rates automatically follow wage growth without the law needing to be changed every year.
This is why letters from NAV (the Labour and Welfare Administration) often state a limit in G rather than in kroner. You must convert it yourself. Also see the overview of NAV benefits for immigrants if you are new to the system.
Under the National Insurance Act § 1-4, the basic amount is set by the King. It is adjusted once a year, effective from 1 May, based on expected wage growth. Discrepancies between projected and actual wage growth in the two preceding years are corrected in the new rate.
Basic amount converted to kroner
Multiply the share by 136 549 kroner. This table applies from 1 May 2026:
| Share of G | Kroner | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 G | 68 275 | Lower income threshold for sickness benefits from NAV |
| 1 G | 136 549 | The basic amount itself |
| 1.5 G | 204 824 | Income requirement for unemployment benefits, last 12 months |
| 2 G | 273 098 | Limit for how long you receive unemployment benefits |
| 3 G | 409 647 | Income requirement for unemployment benefits, last 36 months |
| 6 G | 819 294 | Cap for sickness benefits and unemployment benefits |
NAV rounds to the nearest whole kroner. 0.5 G is actually 68 274.50 kroner, and 1.5 G is 204 823.50 kroner.
Why does the basic amount change on 1 May every year?
Because G must follow wage growth in society. A new basic amount is agreed in the insurance settlement in spring. The 2026 settlement was formally approved on 22 May 2026.
The increase in 2026 was 6 389 kroner, or 4.91 per cent, from 130 160 kroner per 1 May 2025 to 136 549 kroner.
Here is the catch: although the new G applies from 1 May, the money does not arrive immediately. For most benefits, the back payment came together with the regular payment on 19 June 2026. For unemployment benefits and work-related rehabilitation benefits, it came in early June. If you receive a decision in May with old figures, it is usually not an error.
Disability benefits and old-age pensions during the accrual period increased by 4.91 per cent. Old-age pensions during payment increased by 4.69 per cent.
1 G or average G? This confuses people in the decision
There are two G figures for each year, and they are used for different purposes. This is the most common misunderstanding when people read their decision.
- 1 G at a specific time: 136 549 kroner per 1 May 2026. Used for rates and limits in benefits, such as the 6 G cap and the 0.5 G threshold.
- Average G for 2026: 134 419 kroner. Used for pension accrual.
Under the National Insurance Act § 20-7, 18.1 per cent of your pension-earning income is credited to your pension account each year, up to 7.1 times the basic amount. The law explicitly states that it is the average basic amount for the calendar year that applies.
For 2026, the cap for pension accrual is therefore 7.1 × 134 419 = 954 375 kroner. If you calculate using 136 549 kroner instead, you get 969 498 kroner. That is more than 15 000 kroner too high. Income between these two figures gives you no additional pension.
What happens if you earn more than 6 G?
The sickness benefit base cannot exceed 6 times the basic amount. This is stated directly in the National Insurance Act § 8-10. From 1 May 2026, 6 G equals 819 294 kroner per year.
If you earn 900 000 kroner, sickness benefits are calculated based on 819 294 kroner. The last 80 706 kroner of your salary are not covered by the national insurance.
Many employers nevertheless cover full salary above 6 G through a collective agreement or employment contract. This is voluntary. The National Insurance Act imposes no obligation on any employer to do so. Check your employment contract before you become ill, not after. The rules for sickness benefits, self-certification and sick leave explain the rest of the scheme.
The fact that G increased in 2026 helped high earners slightly: 6 G was 780 960 kroner in 2025, so the cap moved up 38 334 kroner.
The same 6 G cap applies to unemployment benefits after resignation. Income above 819 294 kroner is not included in the unemployment benefit base.
0.5 G: the lower threshold many overlook
To receive sickness benefits from NAV, the sickness benefit base must be at least 50 per cent of the basic amount, i.e. 68 275 kroner per year from 1 May 2026. The requirement is stated in the National Insurance Act § 8-3.
However, the law has an important exception: the income threshold does not apply during the employer period. This means that with a low income, you may be entitled to sickness benefits from your employer for the first 16 days, but not from NAV from day 17. Many discover this only when the payments stop.
Where else you encounter G
The basic amount appears far beyond NAV. Some concrete examples with figures from 1 May 2026:
- Unemployment benefits: you must have earned 1.5 G (204 824 kroner) in the last 12 months, or 3 G (409 647 kroner) in the last 36 months.
- Length of unemployment benefits: if you have earned at least 2 G (273 098 kroner), you can receive unemployment benefits for up to 104 weeks. Under 2 G, the limit is 52 weeks.
- Disability benefits: the minimum income before disability is set at 3.5 G (477 922 kroner) for everyone from 1 July 2026.
- Tax: the tax-free interest benefit on loans from an employer has a limit of 3/5 G, i.e. 81 929 kroner.
- Holiday pay for employees over 60 years old: extra holiday pay is calculated on income up to 6 G.
An important change in 2026: the free amount in disability benefits increases from 0.4 G to 1 G, that is from 54 620 to 136 549 kroner, for you who have received disability benefits for 2 years or more. The rule takes effect on 1 October 2026, but applies retroactively from 1 January 2026. Read more about increased free amount in disability benefits.
When you calculate on residence requirements, income requirements and deadlines, you will find the calculators in the SamfunnPrep toolbox.
Many of these rules are curriculum for the citizenship test — practice for free on SamfunnPrep.
