MPs’ pay and other financial rights are laid down in the Act concerning the Remuneration for Members of the Storting (the Storting’s Remuneration Act) (pdf), which entered into force on 1^st January 2017.  MPs’ pension rights are laid down in the Act concerning Pension Arrangements for Members of the Storting and Members of Government (the Storting and Government Pension Act) of 16^th December 2011.

Remuneration for MPs

The remuneration for MPs, with the exception of the President of the Storting, is adopted by the Storting on the recommendation of the Storting’s Remuneration Committee, a separate committee which also sets the remuneration for members of the government. The Remuneration Committee assesses MPs’ pay annually. The President of the Storting’s remuneration is the same as that of the Prime Minister. Other members of the Storting’s Presidium are paid an additional allowance for representational duties and extra work associated with their role in the Presidium.

Basic rates

As of 1^st May 2024, the fixed annual remuneration for an MP is NOK 1,171,000  gross per annum.

The President of the Storting receives the same annual remuneration as the Prime Minister, which, as of 1^st May 2024, is NOK 2,057,177 gross per annum.

The First Vice President of the Storting has an additional allowance of +14% of an MP’s fixed annual remuneration. Other vice presidents and the chairs of the standing committees are paid +7% of the fixed annual remuneration.

As of 1^st May 2024, the annual remuneration for members of the government is NOK 1,671,256 gross per annum.

Severance pay

MPs who do not continue after a parliamentary election may apply for severance pay equal to the fixed remuneration for an MP for up to three months after the end of the previous parliamentary term. In order to qualify for severance pay, the person in question must submit a self-declaration form with details of their income situation. Severance pay shall be reduced if the individual’s other sources of income exceed NOK 5,000 during this period. The Presidium may also grant severance pay, with the same limitations, to Substitute MPs who have served in Parliament continuously for a certain length of time.

MPs who are actively seeking work or who take essential and relevant work-related training or education may apply for severance pay for up to one year after the three months stated above. This pay constitutes 66% of an MP’s fixed remuneration, and must be reduced in the event of any other earned income.

Holiday pay

As of 1^st January 2024, MPs who are not continuing after a parliamentary election will cease to receive holiday pay. This means that MPs who are not re-elected at the 2025 parliamentary election will not receive holiday pay in January 2026.

The termination of the holiday pay scheme for permanent Substitute MPs who discontinue in the period between 1^st July and 31^st December will apply from 1^st July 2025. Consequently, permanent Substitute MPs who step down after 1^st July 2025 will not receive holiday pay when they leave. Today’s scheme will only apply to those who step down before this date.

At present, the holiday pay scheme will be continued for Substitute MPs and permanent Substitute MPs who step down in the period between 1^st January and 30^th June. These will receive holiday pay on the last ordinary payday before the final sitting of the Storting in June. The holiday pay will be calculated on the basis of the total remuneration the individual in question received during the preceding calendar year.

Leave of absence

MPs may be granted leave of absence during sickness, in connection with the birth of a child or other care responsibilities, for participation in delegation travel, or for absence over an extended period. In other respects, leave of absence is only granted in exceptional circumstances. For more information, see §5 of the Storting’s Rules of Procedure.

During leave of absence, MPs retain their remuneration for up to 14 days, unless they notify the Storting’s administration that they would like to waive this right.

The Storting’s Presidium may, on application, permit MPs to retain their remuneration beyond the 14-day period in the following cases:

1. for leave of absence due to sickness or injury
2. for leave of absence to take part in travel as a member of a delegation appointed by the Storting or the Storting’s Presidium
3. for leave of absence to attend meetings or to perform other duties on appointment by the King, the Storting or a ministry
4. for leave of absence granted on compassionate grounds

For leave applications on the basis of a) above, a medical certificate must be submitted, either at the same time as the application, or as soon as possible after the leave has been granted. If this does not happen, the Storting’s Presidium may decide to cancel the remuneration for the remainder of the leave period.

During pregnancy leave, care leave and parental leave, and for leave due to the sickness of a child or a childminder, MPs have the right to retain their remuneration based on the rules covered by Chapter 12 of the Working Environment Act, Chapter 14 of the National Insurance Act, and the Basic Collective Agreement for the Civil Service. This provision also applies to Substitute MPs during their term of service.

Pensions

MPs’ pensions are regulated by the Storting and Government Pension Act. The retirement pension in this scheme is based on the same principles as the National Insurance Scheme’s retirement pension. This means that MPs earn retirement pension rights for all the years they have served as MP or members of the government.

The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK) administers the pension scheme for MPs and members of the government.

Travel expenses

Official travel and commuter travel at weekends are covered in full. Travel abroad must be approved, and expenses are covered in accordance with the Government Scale. The family members of MPs who live more than 40 km from the Storting may have up to two private visits covered annually per person.

Telecommunications expenses

MPs’ telecommunications expenses are covered in full.

Mobile office

MPs are equipped with a mobile office and a tablet computer.

Commuter accommodation

The Storting owns 143 variously sized furnished flats that are at the disposal, free of charge, of MPs who live more than a 40-kilometre drive from the Storting.

The Storting’s commuter accommodation guidelines.