Sick leave rules in Sweden at a glance
Statutory rules for Sweden, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | On the first day you stay home |
|---|---|
| Self certification | First 7 calendar days |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | Day 8; doctor or dentist only, not a nurse |
| Certificate deadline | Ask your employer |
| Waiting days | A waiting deduction of 20% of a week’s sick pay |
| Employer pays | 80% of salary, days 1 to 14 |
| State sickness benefit | Sjukpenning of about 80% of SGI, up to 1,259 kronor a day |
| Maximum duration | Check with your insurer |
| Day count | Calendar days |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in Sweden?
In Sweden, employer pay: 80% of salary, days 1 to 14. State sickness benefit: Sjukpenning of about 80% of SGI, up to 1,259 kronor a day.
- EmployerDays 1 to 1480% of salary, days 1 to 14
- State sickness benefitFrom day 15Sjukpenning of about 80% of SGI, up to 1,259 kronor a day
- Sickness benefit
- Sjukpenning
- Official body
- Försäkringskassan
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in Sweden?
In Sweden, a doctor's certificate is needed: day 8; doctor or dentist only, not a nurse.
Self certification. First 7 calendar days
Certificate deadline. Ask your employer
Telling your employer. On the first day you stay home
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in Sweden.
Worked example: 25 days off sick in Sweden
How a 25 day absence runs in Sweden, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | On the first day you stay home |
| Days 1 to 14 | Employer | 80% of salary, days 1 to 14 |
| From day 8 | A doctor's certificate is normally needed | Day 8; doctor or dentist only, not a nurse |
| Days 15 to 25 | State sickness benefit | Sjukpenning of about 80% of SGI, up to 1,259 kronor a day |
Maximum duration: Check with your insurer
For your own figures, use the sick pay calculator. It reads the same checked data as this page.
What is different about sick leave in Sweden?
The waiting deduction equals one day of sick pay on a five day week.
Report sick on the first day, or you can lose sick pay for earlier days.
What if you work in Sweden but live in another country?
If you work in Sweden and live in another country, you are usually covered by the social security system where you work, so the rules on this page apply.
Report sick by the rule in Sweden (on the first day you stay home), and send any certificate to the body that pays you (Försäkringskassan).
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body (Försäkringskassan) which format it accepts.
More on working in one country and living in another. Related tool: Fit to fly readiness checklist
Frequently asked questions
The rule for telling your employer in Sweden: on the first day you stay home.
Waiting days in Sweden: a waiting deduction of 20% of a week’s sick pay.
Self certification in Sweden: first 7 calendar days.
Official guidance we checked does not yet confirm a certificate deadline in Sweden. Ask your employer.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare Sweden with Norway and Denmark, or see all 42 countries side by side.
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