A change adopted on 20 May 2025 stipulates that, from 1 January 2026, companies in Norway can no longer set internal age limits below 72 years The exception is where a lower limit is objectively justified on health and safety grounds – for example, in jobs with extreme physical demands or high safety risks.
Previously, employers could set an internal limit of 70 years, if applied consistently and combined with a good pension scheme. This was widely used, among other things to ensure generational turnover in positions with limited career progression. Now this will only be possible in exceptional and hard-to-justify cases.
At the same time
- The age limit in the state sector is raised from 70 to 72 years.
- Collective agreements with a lower limit can remain in force until their expiry, but no later than 1 January 2029.
Our recommendation
- Update employee handbooks, employment contracts, and pension terms.
- Communicate the changes clearly to staff – especially where there was an expectation of a lower limit.
- Review HR plans for positions where physical capacity is crucial, and consider documentation for possible health/safety exceptions.
Elin Andreassen - Associate Lawyer
Elin specializes in labor law, providing expert support to Norwegian and international companies on employment-related matters. She also offers general business legal assistance and GDPR compliance services. Elin helps businesses navigate their obligations in Norway, including essential registration and reporting requirements. Elin graduated from the University of Oslo in the fall of 2022, completing her master's thesis in employment law on the individual post-effects of collective agreements. She gained experience as a trainee lawyer at Advokat Bratteng AS before joining Magnus Legal in February 2023 and has previously worked with legal aid at Gatejuristen.