🇸🇪 Leave and Benefits in
Sweden
Statutory leave entitlements and mandatory benefits for employers in Sweden — annual leave, sick leave, maternity, paternity and public holidays.
Leave Entitlements at a Glance — Sweden
Annual Leave
25 days
Sick Leave
—
Maternity Leave
480 weeks
Paternity Leave
10 weeks
Public Holidays
11 days
13th Month Pay
Not required
Statutory Leave Types
| Leave Type | Entitlement | Paid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| annual | 25 days | Yes | 100% pay |
| sick | 364 days | Yes | 80% pay |
| maternity | 480 days | Yes | 80% pay |
| paternity | 10 days | Yes | 100% pay |
| parental | 480 days | Yes | 80% pay |
| bereavement | 5 days | Yes | 100% pay |
Public Holidays — Sweden 2026
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 Jan 2026 |
| Epiphany | 6 Jan 2026 |
| Good Friday | 3 Apr 2026 |
| Easter Monday | 6 Apr 2026 |
| Labour Day | 1 May 2026 |
| Ascension Day | 14 May 2026 |
| National Day | 6 Jun 2026 |
| Midsummer Day | 20 Jun 2026 |
| All Saints' Day | 31 Oct 2026 |
| Christmas Day | 25 Dec 2026 |
| Boxing Day | 26 Dec 2026 |
Mandatory Employer Benefits — Sweden
Legally required employer contributions and benefits under Sweden law.
| Benefit | Type | Employer Cost | Frequency | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Employer Social Contributions (Arbetsgivaravgifter) Employer pays 31.42% of gross salary covering old-age pension (10.21%), survivors pension (0.6%), sickness insurance (3.55%), parental insurance (2.6%), labour market (2.64%), work injury (0.2%), and general payroll tax (11.62%). | Cash | 31.42% | monthly | Exempt |
Holiday Pay (Semesterloen) Employees are entitled to 25 days annual leave under the Holidays Act. Holiday pay is typically 12% of annual salary, paid either via accrual or maintain-pay method. | Leave | 12% | monthly | Taxable |
Occupational Pension (Tjanstepension) Most employers covered by collective agreements (ITP, SAF-LO) must contribute occupational pensions. ITP1 rate is 4.5% up to 7.5 IBB and 30% above. Strongly recommended for all employers. | Cash | Varies | monthly | Exempt |
EOR Intelligence
Manage leave compliance in Sweden via EOR.
An Employer of Record administers all statutory leave and benefits on your behalf.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Leave entitlements in Sweden are subject to change. Always consult a qualified local employment lawyer.
About This Guide
- \u2713 Sourced from official government publications
- \u2713 Updated monthly — always current rules
- \u2713 For guidance only — not legal advice
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