Payroll

Payroll Cycle

In Sweden, the payroll frequency is usually monthly. Employers must make the payment of salaries on the 25th of each month.

13th Salary

In Sweden, 13th-month payments are not legally mandatory. Employers can pay bonuses at their discretion.

Working Hours

General

The standard working week consists of 40 hours over the course of five days, following the commencement of five consecutive working hours an employee must be allowed a break.

Overtime

All work more than the standard working hours a week is to be paid as overtime and is regulated by employment contract/collective agreements. When an employee is requested to work overtime or work on holidays, there are maximums in relation to the number of hours allowed. These maximums are 48 hours in one week, averages 50 hours per month or 200 hours annually over four months.  

All overtime hours in excess of 40 hours a week are paid at an overtime compensation rate; this rate is stipulated in the employment contract/collective agreements.  

For overtime worked on weekdays before 8.00 pm, hours are compensated at the monthly salary divided into 94 for each additional hour of work. For hours worked after 8.00 pm or on weekends, hours are compensated at the monthly salary rate divided into 72 for each additional hour worked.  

Employees who hold a managerial or comparable role or organize their working schedule are not entitled to overtime compensation.

Working Week

Monday-Friday

Leave

Paid Time Off

Employees are entitled to 25 days of paid vacation each year after one year of work at the company. Once accrued, vacation days can be held for up to five years.

Vacation pay accounts for 12% of an employees gross annual salary.

Public Holidays

There are 13 public holidays in Sweden.

Sick Days

In Sweden, paid sick leave is compensated to the employee for the 2nd-14th day of sick leave by the employer, and for sickness, more than 14 days, benefits are paid by social security. The first day of sickness is unpaid.

Generally, sick leave is compensated at 75.00% – 80.00% of the employee’s regular pay rate, depending on the length of sickness.

Maternity Leave

Mothers receive 14 weeks of maternity leave which is to be taken seven weeks before the birth of the child and seven after the birth.

Paternity Leave

In Sweden, fathers are entitled to 10 days of paid paternity leave.

Parental Leave

Parents are entitled to 480 days of parental leave, which can be split between the parents or taken by one single parent. Employees can also use their parental leave entitlement to reduce their working hours until the child is eight years of age.

Other Leave

In Sweden, there may be several types of ‘other’ leave entitlements available as detailed in the respective collective bargaining agreement/employment contract.

This leave is to be approved by the employer and is applicable to members of the employee’s family and close relatives.

Termination

Termination Process

The termination process varies according to how the Employment Agreement and Collective Agreement are in place and is based on the type of contract and reason for termination. However, no termination due to economic reasons or long-term disability can occur without the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).  

The Employment Service must be notified of an employee’s termination if their company has more than five employees, companies may have to negotiate with trade unions. Following any negotiations, the employer must provide an employee with a termination notice in writing and in person, if this is not possible then a registered letter is to be sent to the employee’s home address.  

Notice Period

The notice periods in Sweden are outlined in the employment contract, collective bargaining agreement of the Employment Protection Act. 

For employers with a collective agreement, notice periods are stipulated in the employment contract following an agreement between the employer and employee. The notice period is commonly one month. 

For employees without a collective agreement, the notice period is dependent on the employee’s serenity as follows: 

• Less than two years – 1 month of notice 
• Two years but less than four years -2 months of notice 
• Four years but less than six years – 3 months of notice 
• Six years but less than eight years – 4 months of notice 
• Eight years but less than ten years – 5 months of notice 
• Ten years or more – 6 months

Suppose an employer has dismissed an employee without notice due to gross misconduct. In that case, employees with a collective agreement should serve the notice period stipulated within their employment contract, commonly one month. In contrast, an employee without a collective agreement should serve a one-month notice period in accordance with the Employment Protection Act.

Severance Pay

Severance pay is outlined in the employees’ employment contract/collective agreement; there is no legal obligation to pay any severance.

Probation Period

In Sweden, probation periods are outlined in the employees’ employment contract/collective agreement. The probationary period can be a maximum of six months. The period can be shorter, and the employee can become permanently employed before the probationary period is complete. If a probationary period is not terminated after 6 months, the employment will automatically become permanent. The probationary period must be stated in the employment contract. The employee needs to be informed two weeks at the latest before the period ends if he or she will be permanently employed. Salaries and other benefits are the same during a probationary period.

Common Benefits

General

• Private pension (5-10% employer contribution)
• Private health insurance allowance
• Life insurance
• Car allowances
• Home office allowances
• Gym allowance
• Meal allowance

VISA

VISA

Generally, citizens from countries outside the EU must apply for a work permit to work in Sweden. There are a few exceptions to the rule. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea aged 18–30 can also apply for a working holiday visa for up to one year.

For employment that lasts less than three months, citizens of certain countries must have a work permit and a visa.

To qualify for a work permit, you must have received an official offer of employment from a Swedish employer. The job must also:

• have been advertised in the EU/EEA for at least ten days
• offer terms of employment that match those set by Swedish collective agreements or those that are customary within the occupation or industry
• Pay a minimum monthly salary of SEK 13,000 before taxes.

You must also hold a valid passport in your home country.

VAT

General

The standard rate of VAT in Sweden is 25.00%.