- Country Information
- Sweden
In this article...
Sweden
- Horizons Payroll Calendar - Sweden 2024
- What are the Parental Leave Benefits in Sweden?
- What are the Public Holidays in Sweden in 2025?
- What are the Annual Leave entitlements in Sweden?
- How are Sick Leaves regulated in Sweden?
- What are the Paid and Upaid Leaves in Sweden?
- What are the standard Probation Periods in Sweden?
- What are the standard Working Hours in Sweden? How about Overtime?
- Can employment agreements be backdated in Sweden?
- What is the standard employment agreement in Sweden?
- What are the mandatory Allowances in Sweden?
- What is the Personal Income Tax like in Sweden?
- How is Social Security structured in Sweden?
- Are Private Medical Insurances common in Sweden?
- How to submit Per Diems and Mileage Expenses in Sweden?
- Horizons Payroll Calendar - Sweden 2025
- What Is the Statutory Retirement Pension in Sweden?
What are the Annual Leave entitlements in Sweden?
In Sweden, annual leave is a fundamental employee right, ensuring workers have sufficient time to rest and recharge. Below is a comprehensive guide to Sweden’s annual leave entitlements for 2025.
Annual Leave Year and Qualifying Year
Sweden’s annual leave system operates with two overlapping periods:
Qualifying Year (Intjänandeår): Runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. Employees accrue paid leave during this period.
Annual Leave Year (Semesterår): Runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year (one year after the qualifying year). This is when accrued leave can be used.
For example:
April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026: Qualifying Year (accrual of leave)
April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027: Annual Leave Year (usage of accrued leave)
Minimum Leave Entitlement
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 25 days of annual leave per year.
If employment begins after August 31, the employee is only entitled to five unpaid vacation days in that leave year.
Accrual of Leave
Employees accrue leave at a rate of 2.08 days per month.
If an employee has not yet accrued enough leave, they may:
Take unpaid leave
Be granted advance leave, where the employer allows them to take vacation days before they are accrued.
If the employee leaves the company within five years, the employer may deduct advance leave from the final salary, unless the employee is made redundant due to a shortage of work.
Right to Summer Leave
Employees have the right to take four consecutive weeks of leave between June and August. The employer and employee should agree on the scheduling of leave.
Carrying Over Unused Leave
Employees can carry over up to five unused vacation days to the next year.
If an employee has more than 20 paid leave days in a year, the extra days can be saved.
Carried-over leave must be used within five years, or it will expire.
Unpaid leave days cannot be carried over.
Additional Considerations
Sickness During Annual Leave: If an employee falls ill during their leave, they can convert vacation days into sick leave and take the vacation later.
Changing Employers: Employees who change jobs within the year may not have paid leave from their new employer. However, their previous employer must pay for unused accrued leave.
These provisions ensure employees have flexibility in managing their leave while maintaining their right to rest. For further details, refer to the Swedish Annual Leave Act.
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