Sweden Employment Guide

Parental Leave in Sweden: A Comprehensive Guide for International Employers

Sweden's parental leave system is globally recognized for its progressive approach to work-life balance. The system combines maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave under a unified framework called 'föräldraledighet.' Both parents have equal rights to 480 days of paid leave per child, which can be utilized until the child turns eight years old.

Maternity and Paternity Leave Provisions

Pregnant employees are entitled to 60 days of leave before the expected delivery date, with an additional mandatory 29 days following childbirth. Non-birthing partners receive an extra 10 days specifically designated for the immediate postnatal period, which must be used within 60 days of the child's arrival home.

Flexible Usage and Shared Benefits

The 480-day allowance offers significant flexibility: parents can split leave into up to three periods per calendar year. A unique feature is the 'double days' provision, allowing both parents to take leave simultaneously for up to 60 days before the child reaches 15 months. Additionally, parents with joint custody can transfer 45 days each to another insured individual, while single custodial parents may transfer 90 days.

Sick Leave Regulations

Employees are eligible for 90 days of paid sick leave annually. Compensation structure varies by duration:

Note: A non-paid qualifying period equivalent to 20% of an average workweek applies at the start of each sick leave episode. SailGlobal's HR platform automates calculations for multinational teams navigating these complex regulations.

Global Implementation Case Study

A technology firm using SailGlobal's solutions successfully implemented Swedish leave policies across their 15-country workforce. By centralizing policy management, they reduced administrative errors by 40% while maintaining compliance with local regulations—demonstrating how standardized systems can adapt to jurisdiction-specific requirements.