A summer job gives young people in Norway their own income and new experience, but there are clear rules for age, working hours, tax card and salary you should know about before you start.
Many young people in Norway work in summer, either in shops, at cafes, in kindergartens or on farms. A summer job gives you own money, new experience and new friends. At SamfunnPrep we write simple articles about life in Norway for those new here, including about what it is like to be young in Norway.
Who can take a summer job? Age limits you need to know
Age limits for work in Norway depend on how old you are. Children under 13 years old usually cannot work, but there are some exceptions, such as light help on a family farm or performances in culture, sports and advertising.
From the age of 13, you can do light work, for example distribute newspapers, work in a shop or do simple office work. You must have written consent from your parents before you begin. From the age of 15 and after completing lower secondary school, you can take most regular jobs, as long as the work is not dangerous to health or safety. From when you turn 18, you are considered an adult, and the regular rules for working life apply to you.
| Age | What you can do | Max working hours |
|---|---|---|
| 13–14 years | Light work (newspaper delivery, shop, simple office work) with written consent from parents | School week: 2 h/day, 12 h/week. School holidays: 7 h/day, 35 h/week |
| 15–17 years | Most jobs, but not dangerous or harmful work | 8 h/day, 40 h/week, all year |
| 18 years and older | All regular jobs | Same rules as other adult workers |
How many hours can young people work in summer?
Young people under 18 years have their own rules for working hours, even during summer holidays. The rules are to protect schooling, health and rest.
If you are under 15 years, you can work up to 7 hours per day and 35 hours per week during school holidays. If you are between 15 and 18 years, the same limit applies as for adults: 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. No one under 18 years is allowed to work overtime, and you have the right to at least 12–14 hours of continuous rest every 24 hours, depending on age. Your employer is responsible for following these rules, whether or not you are new to Norway or have lived here your whole life.
What are tax card and tax-free card – and how do you get them?
Everyone who works in Norway needs a tax card. The tax card tells your employer how much tax should be deducted from your salary.
If you earn little during the year, you can have a tax-free card instead. With a tax-free card, no tax is deducted until you have earned over a certain amount, called the tax-free card limit. For the tax year 2026, the tax-free card limit is 100,000 kroner (the limit can change slightly from year to year, so always check the current amount with Skatteetaten). If you have turned 13, most young people get a tax-free card automatically, without applying. If you earn more than the tax-free card limit, you must switch to a regular tax card, otherwise your employer deducts 50 percent tax from what you earn above the limit. You can easily order or change a tax card at skatteetaten.no with BankID or MinID. If the tax system is new to you, you can read more in a simple explanation of tax for immigrants.
Do you need a written employment contract?
Yes. All workers in Norway have the right to a written employment contract, regardless of how short the job lasts or how old you are.
The contract should say something about how much you should work, what you should do, how much salary you get, and when your salary is paid. If you don't get an offer for a contract, you can ask your employer for one. This also applies to summer jobs that only last a few weeks. A written contract protects you if there is later disagreement about salary or working hours.
Do you have the right to salary and holiday pay?
Yes, you have the right to salary for all work you do, and the salary should follow what is stated in your employment contract.
Norway does not have a general statutory minimum wage, but many industries have their own minimum rates through collective agreements. You can read more about this in the overview of minimum wage in Norway. In addition to salary, you have the right to holiday pay. Holiday pay is money your employer sets aside for you, usually at least 10.2 percent of what you earned the previous year. Holiday pay is usually paid out the year after you worked, often in June. If you have only had a summer job one year, you will get your holiday pay paid out the following summer.
Where can young people and immigrant families find summer jobs?
There are many places to look for summer jobs, both for young people born in Norway and for those who have recently moved here.
Some good places to start:
- NAV and the municipality's youth service often have an overview of summer jobs for young people.
- Shops, cafes, hotels and farms often need extra help in summer.
- Sports clubs and leisure clubs in the local area sometimes employ young people for summer activities.
- Ask neighbours, friends and family – many summer jobs are arranged by word of mouth.
- Websites like finn.no and nav.no have their own categories for summer jobs and part-time jobs.
If you talk to your parents or other adults in the family about your plans, it is easier to find a safe job and understand the contract you sign. A summer job is also a good way to learn more about how Norwegian society and working life work in practice, which is useful for both young people and adults preparing for the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven. With SamfunnPrep the whole family can practice questions about working life, rights and society, in addition to regular job searching. Try for free and see how SamfunnPrep can make preparation easier for both young people and parents.
