All About Employee Leave & PTO in Sweden
Learn what you need to know about leave requirements in Sweden and how Justworks EOR can help you streamline hiring.
How an EOR Can Help with Employee Leave & PTO
Employers need to be aware of the regulations around protected employee leave and paid vacation days when hiring in Sweden. Partnering with a global employer of record, like Justworks, allows you to receive customized HR support, helping you save significant time, effort, and resources. With Justworks, we provide expert guidance to ensure your company’s leave policies comply with Swedish requirements.
Employee Leave & PTO Expectations in Sweden
Employees in Sweden are entitled to receive time off for public holidays, maternity/paternity and parental leave, vacation leave, sick leave, and other paid and unpaid leaves of absence.
Vacation Leave
In Sweden, all employees are entitled to at least 25 days of paid vacation each year. This right is protected under the Swedish Annual Leave Act, ensuring employees can take time off. Vacation days are generally accrued the year before they’re used. Employees are encouraged to use all their leave to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Vacation pay should be paid out before the employee takes their leave.
Sick Leave
In Sweden, employees are entitled to short-term sick pay from their employer, as long as they plan to work for at least another month after the illness begins. Employees receive sick pay at around 80% of their regular salary for up to 14 days. If the illness extends beyond this period, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency takes over, providing continued financial support. Employers are required to ensure that sick leave policies comply with Swedish labor laws.
Leaves of Absence
There are many different types of paid and unpaid leaves of absence employees in Sweden can take. Here are some of the most common:
Compensation and Leave for Care of Relatives: Employees may take a leave of absence or reduce their working hours to care for a critically ill family member. Carers can reduce their working hours by 100%, 50%, or 25% and receive benefits from the Social Insurance Agency for up to 100 days.
Leave for Studies: Employees may take an unpaid leave of absence to further their education.
Many other leaves of absence exist including military service, union leader representation, employees on long-term sick leave, and leave for immigrants learning the Swedish language.
Maternity Leave
Maternity leave is part of the country’s generous parental leave system and amounts to 14 weeks of maternity leave. Expectant mothers can take up to seven weeks of leave before their due date. Following birth, new mothers can take seven weeks off.
Paternity Leave and Parental Leave
Paternity leave is part of the broader parental leave system in Sweden. New fathers are entitled to 10 days of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. Beyond this, both parents can share 480 days of paid parental leave, with 390 of those days compensated at about 80% of their salary. Each parent is guaranteed at least 90 days of leave that cannot be transferred to the other, promoting shared responsibility in childcare. Leave can be taken flexibly until the child is 12 years old, allowing parents to adapt to their family's needs.
Public Holidays in Sweden
Sweden recognizes 13 public holidays, which are:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Epiphany (January 6)
Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
Easter Monday (Day after Easter Sunday)
Labor Day (May 1)
Ascension Day (40 days after Easter)
National Day (June 6)
Midsummer's Eve (Friday between June 19-25)
Midsummer's Day (Saturday between June 20-26)
All Saints' Day (Saturday between October 31 and November 6)
Christmas Eve (December 24)
Christmas Day (December 25)
Boxing Day (December 26)
In Sweden, several additional days are observed with reduced working hours or early closures, including:
Christmas Eve (December 24): Early closures for family time.
New Year's Eve (December 31): Businesses often close in the afternoon.
Midsummer's Eve (Friday between June 19-25): Shortened work days for summer solstice celebrations.
Twelfth Night (January 5): Reduced working hours.
Walpurgis Night (April 30): Some workplaces offer shorter hours for spring celebrations.
All Saints’ Eve (Day before All Saints’ Day): Early closures for All Saints’ Eve.
These days are not mandated by law but are often observed to support cultural traditions.
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