Financial support for MPs

Basic salary 

As of 1 May 2012: NOK 811 505 gross per annum (subject to regular income taxation).

(2% of this figure is deducted as contribution to the public pension scheme).
 
The President of the Storting receives the same total annual salary as the Prime Minister: NOK 1 425 352 (1 May 2012).

Additional salary 

First Vice President    +14% of the basic salary                               
Other Vice Presidents and Chairs of the standing committees  +  7%

Subsistence allowances

2009(all months except July)  

a) NOK 78 per day if the distance between the MP’s home and the Storting does not exceed 40 km
b) NOK 182 per day if this distance exceeds 40 km.

Travel allowances 

MPs travel free of charge within Norway, by rail, on public transport bus, boat, and ferry routes, and on scheduled flights.
Official trips are covered in accordance with the government scale.

If the distance between the MP’s home and the Storting exceeds 40 km, travel costs to and from the MP’s home at the beginning and close of each session, at holiday periods, and at weekends are covered.

There are no travel allowances within the capital. After late evening meetings in the Storting (after 10 pm) taxi fares to the MP’s Oslo accommodation will be covered.

Travel abroad must be approved by the Storting’s Presidium, and expenses are covered in accordance with the government scale.

Private secretaries and other financial support for the party groups

Norwegian MPs do not have personal assistants. All such assistance is provided through the party secretariat.

The Storting provides an annual contribution of NOK 1 979 551 as a basic amount to the party secretariat plus NOK 626 809 per MP.

Party groups which are not represented in government are given an opposition contribution in addition. Opposition groups with three or four MPs are granted 50% of the basic amount, while groups of five or more MPs receive 100% of the basic amount.  

Free office 

Each MP has an office in the parliament buildings at her/his disposal free of charge. All accommodation and telephone expenses are paid by the Storting.

Postal costs 

The Storting covers all postal costs.

Telephone costs 

Telephone costs are fully covered: in office, at home and mobile. Also IT broadband communication at home is covered.

The Storting equips the MPs with mobile phones and covers all expenses. There is no upper limit. 

NOK 6 000 (yearly) is subject to ordinary income taxation.

Holidays 

No formal regulation exists. Holidays are normally taken when the Storting is not in session.

Holiday remuneration is paid after the end of the MP’s last term and only for the last year of this term. At present the holiday remuneration amounts to 10.2 % of the basic salary for MPs below the age of 60 and 12.5 % for MPs over 60.

Health insurance

All MPs have life insurance (death benefit as of 1 May 2008: NOK 702 560) and accident insurance (death or disablement risk up to an amount of NOK 1 053 840).

Pensions

When a former MP reaches the age of 65, she/he is entitled to a pension. After 12 years of service an MP will receive full pension rights - an amount of 66% of the basic salary. At present, this amounts to NOK 458 370 per annum.

Severance pay 

If an MP is not re-elected he/she will receive one month’s salary. In the event of no other source of income, salary will be provided for three months. In the event of no income after 3 months, application for a further allowance can be made through the pension system.  

Income tax

MPs pay income tax with ordinary deductions on the basic salary and subsistence allowances.

Insurance

Loss and damage to property in the Storting are covered by insurance.

Loss and damage to personal property must be reported to the police. Compensation will only be available through the MP’s own personal insurance scheme.

Travel insurance

The Storting has taken out a mutual luggage insurance which covers loss of up to NOK 30 000.

Accommodation

MPs from constituencies more than 40 km from the Storting  receive free accommodation assistance within Oslo. 

The Storting owns 140 flats for this purpose.

Substitute members are offered free accommodation within the Storting buildings for the period of time they meet in the Storting. In  all, 15 rooms have been refurbished for this purpose.

Child care

The Storting has an arrangement with a private child care facility to provide places for a maximum of 14 children, in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Presidium. Parents pay  NOK 2 330 per month.