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The length of the benefit period also depends on whether both parents are entitled to parental benefits, whether only the mother is entitled to benefits, whether only the father is entitled to benefits, whether the mother has sole custody or whether the father has sole custody. The benefit period is also longer if you adopt several children at the same time. Below is information about the different lengths of the benefit period and whether any special conditions apply concerning the ways in which you can receive parental benefits. 

When both parents are eligible

If the parents live together and both are entitled to parental benefits, the benefit period is either 44 weeks with 100 percent benefits or 54 weeks with 80 percent benefits. The benefit period starts on the date from which the care of the child was assumed or the adoption date. The benefit period is three weeks shorter than in connection with the birth of a child, because the benefit period in connection with birth starts at the latest three weeks before the estimated date of delivery.

A number of weeks of the benefit period are reserved for the father. The parents are free to share the weeks not earmarked for the father between them as they wish.

This is how the benefit period is distributed:

• 12 weeks are reserved for the father (paternal quota)
• 32 or 42 weeks (depending on the percentage chosen) can be taken by either parent. Special conditions apply to the mother if the father is going to receive parental benefits beyond the paternal quota (see below).

When only the mother is entitled to parental benefits

If the parents live together, but only the mother is entitled to parental benefits, the benefit period is either 44 weeks with 100 percent benefits or 54 weeks with 80 percent benefits. The entire benefit period is reserved for the mother. However, the father can earn the right to parental benefits while the mother is receiving parental benefits. If both parents agree to it, the father can make use of this right.

When only the father is entitled to parental benefits

If the parents live together, but only the father is entitled to parental benefits, the benefit period is either 38 weeks with 100 percent benefits or 48 weeks with 80 percent benefits. There is no paternal quota when only the father is entitled to parental benefits. Special conditions apply to the mother if the father is going to receive parental benefits beyond the paternal quota (see below). The mother may be entitled to a lump-sum grant on birth or adoption (engangsstønad) in addition to the father receiving parental benefits.

When only the father is entitled to parental benefits and the mother receives disability benefits

When the parents live together and the mother receives disability benefits, the father may receive parental benefits for 12 weeks without the mother being subject to any requirements.

When the mother has sole custody

Mothers who qualify for parental benefits and who live alone with the child are entitled to a benefit period of 44 weeks with 100 percent benefits or 54 weeks with 80 percent benefits. The entire benefit period is reserved for the mother. There is no paternal quota.

When the father has sole custody

Fathers who qualify for parental benefits and who live alone with the child are entitled to a benefit period of 44 weeks with 100 percent benefits or 54 weeks with 80 percent benefits.

Adoption of several children at the same time

• If both parents are entitled to parental benefits, 5 or 7 weeks (depending on the benefit percentage chosen) are added to the weeks that can be shared by the parents.
• If only one of the parents is entitled to parental benefits, 5 or 7 weeks (depending on the benefit percentage chosen) are added to the weeks that that parent can take.

Special requirements for the mother when the father is receiving parental benefits

When the father is going to receive parental benefits beyond the paternal quota, the mother of the child must be:

• working full-time or part-time
• in full-time public education
• in education combined with work that together add up to full-time activity
• entirely dependent on assistance to be able to care for the child because of sickness or injury
• in a health institution and unable to care for the child
• participating in an introduction programme for recently arrived immigrants
• participating in the qualification programme for people with significantly reduced work and earning capacity

If after the adoption the mother works at least 75 percent of a full-time position, she is regarded as working full-time. In such a case, the father can receive parental benefits on the basis of the mother working full-time. If the mother is working less than 75 percent of a full-time position, the father’s parental benefits will be reduced by a proportion corresponding to the reduction in the mother’s working hours. If the father wants to work full-time and postpone the benefit period, it is a condition that the mother is also working or studying full-time. This applies even if the mother does not qualify for parental benefits.

If you have another child during the benefit period

If you have another child before the benefit period for the previous child has been fully used, you lose the right to receive benefits for any remaining weeks for the previous child. However, you are entitled to a full period of parental benefits for the new child.