Leave policy in Sweden

When hiring in Sweden, it is essential and helpful to have clarity about the local leave entitlements. The Swedish employment laws have a well-defined statutory leave framework, shaping its work culture. If you plan to hire full-time or part-time employees in Sweden, it is essential to align with the local labor expectations.

In addition to public holidays, employees are entitled to paid leave days. In this article, we will highlight key aspects of leave policy in Sweden to help you map expectations, obligations, and responsibilities towards your employees. 

Annual leave in Sweden

According to the Annual Leave Act (1977:480), employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave per year. Annual leave accrues on a prorated basis depending on time worked during the year.

Public holidays in Sweden

Leave policies in Sweden outline 13 public holidays in a year. Here’s the list of public holidays: 

Date	Holiday
1 January	New Year’s Day
6 January	Epiphany
18 April	Good Friday
20 April	Easter Sunday
21 April	Easter Monday
1 May	May Day
29 May	Ascension Day
6 June	National Day
8 June	Whit Sunday
21 June	Midsummer Day
1 November	All Saints’ Day
25 December	Christmas Day
26 December	St. Stephen’s/Boxing Day

Sick leave policy in Sweden

Employees are entitled to 14 days of paid leave in the event of illness, injury, or medical condition. Such days are standardized as follows:

• Sick pay period for 2–14 days: The employer pays at a rate of 80% of the regular salary.
• Day 15 onwards: Sick leave in Sweden automatically becomes unpaid on the 15th day. However, employees can apply for sickness benefits from Försäkringskassan from the 15th day. 

Parental leave in Sweden

The leave policy in Sweden observes a collective term for maternity and paternity leave, that is, parental leave. 

Eligibility for parental leave in Sweden

• The employee must care for a child instead of working, studying, or job hunting during the leave period.
• The parents must be insured in Sweden.

Duration & compensation

Employees are entitled to 480 days of parental leave per child, for:

Income-based	390 Days
SEK 180/ Day	90 Days

Meanwhile, the duration for adoptive parents starts from the day they take the child into their care.

Sharing & transferring leave

The terms of sharing leave apply as:

• Parents can share the 480 days of allotted leave,
• Employees can take leave at the same time, double days → up to 60 days during the first 15 months.
• For employees with sole custody, the entitlement may be considered for the single parent.
• 45 days are transferable to another carer (e.g., a family member),

Sickness benefit qualifying income (SGI)

Employees are entitled to SGI based on their income, affecting the following aspects:

• Parental benefit
• Sick leave
• Care for an ill child

Delve into the ins and outs of Sweden’s payroll. 

Other leave policy in Sweden

In addition to the leave policies mentioned above, employees may be entitled to leave without salary deduction for family matters requiring their intervention, such as serious illness, death, funeral, and estate-related proceedings.

Explore Payoneer Workforce Management in Sweden 

Knowing an employee’s leave entitlements in Sweden is crucial for employers to support a healthy work–life balance and promote gender equality.

Payoneer Workforce Management can assist you in handling employment contracts, payroll, benefits, timesheets, and more effectively. 

Book a demo today!

FAQs

1) What is the leave policy in Sweden?

Sweden offers generous leave entitlements, including 480 days of parental leave with state-paid benefits, at least 25 days of paid annual leave, and sick leave (paid by the employer for 14 days, covered by Försäkringskassan from the 15th day). Both parents are encouraged to share childcare duties, with 90 days reserved exclusively for each parent.

2) Are sick leaves in Sweden paid?

Yes, sick leave in Sweden is paid. Employees receive 80% of their salary from the second day of illness, with the first day being unpaid (referred to as the “karensdag”). After 14 days, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) assumes responsibility for payment from the employer.

3) Can parental leave in Sweden be transferred to others?

Yes, in some cases. Parents in Sweden can transfer up to 45 days of their parental leave to grandparents or other close family members. However, the 90 days reserved for each parent individually cannot be transferred and will be forfeited if unused.