From 15 September 2026, exploitation of foreign workers becomes its own crime in Norway. A new rule in the Immigration Act, § 108 a, punishes anyone who exploits a foreigner in a vulnerable situation. The penalty is a fine or imprisonment for up to 3 years.
What is the new law on exploitation of foreign workers?
The new rule is called Section 108 a of the Immigration Act. It makes it a criminal offense to exploit a foreigner's vulnerable situation in an improper manner. The law was passed by Parliament (Stortinget) on 8 June 2026 and enacted as law 12 June 2026 no. 32. It comes into force on 15 September 2026.
The rule came from the Ministry of Justice and Preparedness through Prop. 80 L (2025–2026). The penalty is a fine or imprisonment for up to 3 years. For serious violations, the penalty is imprisonment for up to 6 years.
Three actions are punishable under the first paragraph. These are: using your labor, providing housing to you, or arranging work or housing for you. The rule also applies to anyone who uses a foreigner for begging, and anyone who creates or provides false statements and documents for use in an immigration case.
What is new from 15 September 2026?
The new part is that employers and landlords can be punished, not just the intermediary. Until now, § 108 third paragraph letter b applied. It only applied to brokerage. The Government stated it this way: "Thus, only the pure brokerage services are currently punished." From 15 September 2026, letter b is repealed, and § 108 a takes over.
| Who or what | Before 15.09.2026 | From 15.09.2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediary who brokers work or housing | Punishable under § 108 third paragraph letter b | Punishable under § 108 a |
| Employer who exploits your labor improperly | Not punishable under this rule | Punishable under § 108 a |
| Landlord who provides housing | Not punishable under this rule | Punishable under § 108 a |
| Maximum penalty | Imprisonment for up to 2 years | Imprisonment for up to 3 years, and up to 6 years for serious violations |
Note one thing. Only letter b is repealed. § 108 third paragraph letter a still applies. It punishes anyone who uses a foreigner's labor without necessary permission.
Who does § 108 a protect?
The law protects foreigners in four situations. The person must be in a vulnerable situation that is exploited improperly, and belong to one of these groups:
- You have a temporary residence permit and are dependent on the work or housing to keep the permit.
- You are an asylum seeker.
- You do not have a residence permit or necessary work permit under the law.
- You are covered by the law's Chapter 13 (rules for EEA citizens) and do not have permanent residence right under §§ 115 or 116.
The common thread is dependence. The law recognizes that you may have little choice, and that someone might use this against you.
What does "improper exploitation of a vulnerable situation" mean?
The threshold is lower than for human trafficking. That is the whole point of the rule. Human trafficking under the Criminal Code § 257 requires force, violence, threats, or abuse of a vulnerable situation aimed at exploitation. Many cases never reached that threshold, and were therefore not prosecuted.
§ 108 a applies to situations below that threshold. It is enough if the perpetrator acted intentionally or with gross negligence. Gross negligence means that the person should have understood it, even if they were not certain.
SamfunnPrep has its own article on signs of human trafficking and serious work exploitation. Read it if you want to recognize the signs early.
Can my landlord be punished?
Yes. From 15 September 2026, it is a criminal offense to provide housing when the relationship involves improper exploitation of your vulnerable situation. This is completely new in Norwegian law.
The rule can for example apply to someone who charges very high rent for a poor bed, because they know you have no other choice. It can also apply to someone who ties housing and work together, so that you lose both if you speak up.
A written agreement makes your position stronger. See what applies for rental agreement and what landlord can charge, and what employment contract must contain.
When is the violation serious?
Serious violation is punished with imprisonment for up to 6 years. The law says that "particular" weight shall be given to some factors. This is not an exhaustive list, and the court looks at the case as a whole.
- Whether the exploitation has a systematic or organized nature.
- Whether it has provided significant economic benefit.
- Whether it has lasted for a long time.
- Whether it appears as particularly harmful to the individual.
- Whether the person who is exploited is under 18 years old.
What can you do if you are being exploited?
You can tip the Labour Inspection Authority (the Norwegian labor environment authority), and you can choose to be anonymous. The Labour Inspection Authority writes: "The Labour Inspection Authority has a duty of confidentiality about who tips us about possible illegal conditions."
At the same time, be clear about two things, so that you can make an informed choice.
First, a tip does not guarantee a particular follow-up. The Labour Inspection Authority writes: "When you tip or report to the Labour Inspection Authority, you formally have no claim to one particular follow-up."
Second, § 108 a does not change the rules about your own residence permit. Working without necessary permission is punishable under Section 108 second paragraph letter a of the Immigration Act, and can provide grounds for deportation under § 66 first paragraph letter a. § 108 a punishes the person who exploits you. It does not give you an exemption from other rules.
Own rights such as exemption from punishment and reflection period apply in the human trafficking route under the Criminal Code § 257, not under § 108 a. If you are in doubt about your own situation, you should get individual legal advice. See if you have the right to free legal aid if you need legal help.
At imminent risk to life and health, you should contact the police. In Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, Kristiansand, Bodø, Tønsberg and Alta, there are labor crime centers (a-krimsentre), where the Labour Inspection Authority, NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration), the police and the Tax Authority sit together. Note that these are control centers, not a help line for victims.
Money you may have a claim to
§ 108 a does not give you any automatic right to compensation or back pay. Two other rules can still help you.
Wage theft is punishable under the Criminal Code § 395. Anyone who with intent to obtain unlawful gain violates the duty to pay wages, holiday pay or other remuneration, can be punished with a fine or imprisonment for up to 2 years.
Solidarity responsibility only applies in sectors with extended collective wage agreements. Then you can demand wages, overtime pay and holiday pay from a client, without first having to claim from your own employer. The claim must be in writing and presented within three months. The client has three weeks to pay. The amount is limited to the extended minimum wage. Check extended minimum wage in your sector.
In sectors without statutory minimum wage, unpaid wages are a private law matter. The Labour Inspection Authority "has no authority over businesses in such cases".
Labor rights are a subject for the citizenship test. Practice for free on SamfunnPrep.
