Coverage and reimbursement for travel

When you travel for work as an employee at the University of Oslo, different rules apply regarding coverage and reimbursement of expenses. Your rights depend on whether the trip is defined as a business trip, a grant trip, fieldwork, or an expedition.

Business travel

Business travel is a trip undertaken on behalf of UiO and in the service of the state. The trip is mandated or approved by the employer as part of your responsibilities. This can include both sporadic trips and regular service assignments.

Examples of business travel

  • Participation in a conference to present research from UiO
  • Meetings organized by UiO, or where you represent UiO

Compensation and reimbursement for business travel

When you are on a business trip, you are entitled to:

  • subsistence allowance
  • expenses for overnight stays
  • travel expenses
  • compensation supplement for travel abroad
  • other necessary expenses related to the trip

Rules and rates:

Special agreement on the coverage of expenses for domestic travel and subsistence (regjeringen.no – Norwegian only)?

Special agreement on the coverage of expenses for travel and subsistence outside Norway (regjeringen.no – Norwegian only)

Grant trip

A grant trip is a trip you initiate yourself. It is not mandated by the employer, and you are not travelling on behalf of UiO. Nevertheless, grant trips should have academic relevance and be tied to research, teaching, or academic development.

Grant trips are often financed through grants, travel funds you have applied for, project funds, or own operating funds.

Examples of grant trips

  • Research collaboration you have initiated yourself
  • A study stay at another university
  • Participation in a conference without presenting your own research

Compensation and reimbursement for grant trips

  • Subsistence allowance: You may receive full or partial coverage, but this must be discussed with your manager in advance.
  • Reimbursement for expenses: Must be discussed with your manager before booking the trip.
  • Compensation supplement: Does not apply to grant trips abroad.

Combination of business trip and grant trip

A trip can consist of both business travel and a grant trip.

Example: You participate in a conference to present research (business travel) and extend the stay for academic development at your own initiative (grant trip). This must be discussed with your manager in advance.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork as part of regular work:

Work performed outside the regular workplace, such as inspections, data collection, measurements, sampling, or excavations that are later processed. This is covered by:

Agreement on salary and working conditions for permanent employees during fieldwork at UiO (Norwegian only)

Temporary employees on fieldwork over 28 days

If UiO does not provide accommodation and administrative provision, the following applies:

Agreement on conditions for temporary employees undertaking fieldwork for more than 28 days (Norwegian only)

Non-mandated fieldwork

If the fieldwork is not mandated and is conducted in connection with personal study or research activities, it follows the same rules as a grant trip.

Expedition

Conditions for employees on expeditions are governed by:

Special agreement on compensation and other allowances for expeditions (pdf - Norwegian only)

Extended stays abroad

For extended stays abroad, home office abroad, and research sabbatical abroad, see:

Guidelines for working abroad

Published Nov. 19, 2025 9:49 AM - Last modified Nov. 19, 2025 9:49 AM