Norway Unemployment Benefit Calculator
Work out an estimate of your unemployment benefit (dagpenger) from NAV — per month and per day — based on average annual income last year.
How to use the unemployment benefit calculator
- Enter the average annual income for the last calendar year (or the last three years, if that gives a higher base).
- The calculator works out your benefit base, capped at 6 times the base amount (6G).
- See the estimated benefit per month and the daily rate.
How unemployment benefit is calculated
Benefit per month = Base × 0.624 ÷ 12 · Daily rate = Base × 0.0024
The standard compensation rate for unemployment benefit is 62.4 % of your benefit base, up to a base of 6 times the National Insurance base amount (6G). A lower-rate threshold above 3G applied as a temporary, pandemic-related rule and isn't part of the current ordinary scheme.
Unemployment benefit counts as taxable income, just like ordinary salary — NAV withholds tax before paying it out, so the amount that actually lands in your account is already after tax. This is different from, say, Norway's child benefit, which is tax-free.
The benefit base isn't the same as the actual payout: the base is the income figure the calculation starts from, while the daily rate and monthly payout are what actually reaches your account after the 62.4 % compensation rate has been applied.
Fetching the current base amount from NAV …
Frequently asked questions
How long can I receive unemployment benefit?
The benefit period is normally 104 weeks (2 years) if your income in recent years exceeds 2G, and 52 weeks (1 year) if it's lower. The exact length depends on your income history.
Is there a minimum income requirement to get unemployment benefit?
Yes, you normally need to have had a minimum income over the last 12 or 36 months to be entitled to unemployment benefit. The requirement is set by NAV and changes occasionally — check nav.no for the current threshold.
Is the benefit reduced for part-time work?
Yes. Unemployment benefit is reduced against work hours and income you have during the period you receive it. If you work part-time, the payout is reduced proportionally to how much you work and earn.
Do I have to pay tax on unemployment benefit?
Yes. Unemployment benefit is taxable income just like salary, and NAV withholds tax before paying it out. The figure shown in the calculator is before tax, just like a stated gross salary.
Can I receive unemployment benefit while starting my own business?
As a general rule, no — unemployment benefit requires that you're a genuine job seeker and available for the labor market. There are separate, time-limited schemes for developing a business idea while receiving unemployment benefit, but they require prior approval from NAV.