Working less than 28 days abroad
As a university with global reach, UiO employees will have to perform work outside of Norway. Sometimes the duration of work is short, like a 3 day seminar, and sometimes the duration of work is longer, like a 3 month field study.
UiO aims to be a sustainable employer. It is important for us that you maintain your rights, and that UiO complies with legislation in all countries where we have employees. This also applies to the shorter stays abroad. Short stays, defined as trips with a duration of less than 28 days, may actually invoke obligations both for you and UiO.
Do you have a valid work permit? Do you have health and pension rights in Norway or in another country? How about taxes?
You must therefore always have approval from Head of Office and Head of Department before performing work abroad.
We at ISA aim to support you and your department/unit in these matters.
Tax
One single work stay in a country outside of Norway of less than 28 days will most likely not lead to tax liability on your UiO salary in that country, if there is a tax treaty in place between Norway and the country of work. Exceptions may apply, and you should always investigate to be sure. Be aware that several short stays in the same country could lead to higher risk of tax implications. Even if there is no tax liability there may be registration and reporting obligations. If you have more than one stay in the same country, the stays may in some countries be considered one continued stay for compliance purposes.
Immigration
Generally, it is not permitted to work in a country without a valid permit to work. Even if your work abroad is temporary, you may need to apply for a work permit in order to be able to work abroad. Several countries have exemptions for researchers and lecturers performing work in their country for a shorter period of time. We recommend anyone planning to work abroad to contact the immigration authorities in the country they will be working well in advance of the planned start date as processing times can be long.
Social security
You should always bring a European health insurance card with you when you are on <28 days trips within the EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA-area should be particularly careful to always hold valid confirmation of membership (example form A1, form CoC or NAV confirmation of continued membership) in Norwegian social security when they travel, even for short term travels.
Practical information
You can read more about working for UiO abroad here.