Norwegian Labor Law—new rules on age limits in working life

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.