Public holidays in Norway (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: In Norway, work on Sundays and public holidays is not allowed unless the work requires it, and the employer must discuss it with the employees' representatives. The list of holidays and shop rules could not be verified.

RuleWhat applies
Working on a public holidayPublic holidaysSunday work is not allowed unless the nature of the work makes it necessary, and Sunday work also means work on feast days and public holidays (arbeidsmiljøloven § 10-10). The employer must discuss the need with the employees' representatives first, and Arbeidstilsynet can no longer grant exemptions. [1]
Holiday falling on a weekendPublic holidays⚠ Not yet verified
National public holidaysPublic holidaysThe Holiday Peace Act (helligdagsfredloven) names these holidays: ordinary Sundays, New Year's Day (1 January), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, Whit Monday, Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December). The Act gives rules for computing the movable days but no 2026 dates. [2]
Number of national public holidaysPublic holidaysSection 2 of the Holiday Peace Act names 10 days besides ordinary Sundays. [2]
Shop opening on public holidaysPublic holidaysOn the holidays named in the Act, fixed shops that sell goods to consumers must stay closed. On Christmas Eve, Easter Eve and Whitsun Eve they must close at 16:00. Exceptions include kiosk and grocery shops up to 100 m² of sales floor, petrol stations up to 150 m² and shops in designated tourist areas. [2]

Notes

  • 1 May and 17 May are equated with Sundays under the Act on 1 and 17 May (LOV-2018-12-20-98).
  • No official source stating a substitute day was read.

Sources

  1. Arbeidstilsynet: Søndagsarbeid (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Lovdata (Barne- og familiedepartementet): Lov om helligdager og helligdagsfred (helligdagsfredloven), LOV-1995-02-24-12, last amended LOV-2021-05-07-34 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.