If you’re thinking about working in Sweden, knowing about vacation days is really important.

The things is that vacations in Sweden is a bit different than in other places as the country has its own specific set of rules.

But don’t worry, I’ll explain everything you need to know in this article using my knowledge as I’ve been through all the rules (and made some mistakes along the way).

Let’s begin.

How Many Vacation Days do You Get in Sweden?

In Sweden, not only are you guaranteed a good salary by contract and other important benefits like parental leave, but also you’re guaranteed that the number of vacation days you get depends on how many days a week you work.

The general rule is that as a worker, you’ll get about 25 vacation days a year.

Here’s a simple table that shows how it works:

Amount of days worked per week	Minimum vacation days
1	6
2	12
3	18-23
4	23-28
5	25-30
6	30-35

Do You Have to Take Vacations in Sweden?

This is a common question I get from inexperienced workers.

It’s not exactly obligatory meaning no one will make you take a vacation if you don’t want to. However, Swedish employers and the culture at large really push for everyone to use their vacation days.

For instance, workers are encouraged to take at least four consecutive weeks of vacation during the summer period. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a bit of a tradition and something many people look forward to.

Why are Swedish employers so keen on their employees in taking vacations?

It’s seen as beneficial not just for the individual but for the workplace too, as everyone comes back refreshed and ready to work.

How to Take Vacations in Sweden?

As opposed to other countries (like USA), taking vacation days in Sweden is a very straightforward process, but there are steps you should follow to make sure everything goes smoothly.

First of all, yes, you need to ask your employer for permission to take your vacation days.

Here’s a simple guide on how to do it in most cases:

1. Check Your Vacation Days: First, see how many vacation days you have (you can check this with the HR department). In most cases, this you’ll have between 25 and 30 days of paid vacation days a year.
2. Plan Your Vacation: Think about when you want to take your vacation. Do you want to take them all at the same time or divide them throughout the year?
3. Talk to Your Team: Before you make any requests, it’s a good idea to chat with your colleagues. This way, you can avoid everyone taking vacation at the same time, especially if your work needs people there all the time.
4. Request Your Vacation: Once you’ve picked your dates, you need to negotiate your vacation days with your boss (just like with your salary). This is usually done through a form or an email. Some places have a special system for this, so checking with the HR department again might be a great idea here.
5. Wait for Approval: Your boss will look at your request and decide if it’s okay. They have to make sure the work can still get done while you’re away.
6. Get Confirmation: Once your boss says yes, you’ll get a confirmation. Now, your vacation is officially approved!

My advice?

Well, first I’d tell you to plan early. The sooner you request your vacation, the better. It gives everyone time to prepare, and you’re more likely to get the dates you want.

Also, I’d tell you to be open about when to take your vacation days as sometimes, your first choice for vacation dates might not work out with your boss. It’s good to have a backup plan.

Can Your Employer Refuse your Vacation Days?

Yes, there are certain situations where your employer in Sweden might need to refuse your vacation request.

Even though this might make you feel like quitting, there are actually quite sensible reasons behind it.

Here are some reasons why your vacation days might be refused:

1. Overlap with Other Employees: If too many people want to take their vacation at the same time, especially during popular times like summer or Christmas, the employer might need to stagger the vacations to keep the business functioning.
2. Critical Business Periods: There might be times when your presence is crucial to the company, like during a big project deadline, an important launch, or the peak season for your industry when the company needs you working at its offices. During such periods, taking vacation might not be possible.
3. Short Notice: If you request vacation days without giving enough notice, your employer might refuse them because it doesn’t leave them enough time to plan for your absence.
4. Operational Necessities: Sometimes, the nature of your work might mean that your absence would cause significant disruption or hardship to the company’s operations. This is often case-specific and depends on your role within the organization.
5. Maximum Vacation Quotas: If there’s a policy on the maximum number of employees that can be off at any one time and it’s already been reached, your request might be refused.

So.. what can you do to prevent this?

• Plan Ahead: Give as much notice as possible when requesting your vacation days.
• Be Flexible: If your initial request is refused, be willing to adjust your dates or discuss alternatives with your employer.
• Understand Peak Times: Be aware of your company’s busy periods and plan your vacation outside these times if possible.

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Public Holidays in Sweden

In Sweden, public holidays are a special treat that comes on top of your regular vacation days.

In total, Sweden enjoys about 13 public holidays throughout the year. Here’s a list of them:

1. New Year’s Day (Nyårsdagen) – January 1
2. Epiphany (Trettondedag Jul) – January 6
3. Good Friday (Långfredagen) – The Friday before Easter Sunday
4. Easter Monday (Annandag Påsk) – The day after Easter Sunday
5. May Day (Första Maj) – May 1
6. Ascension Day (Kristi Himmelsfärdsdag) – 40 days after Easter
7. National Day (Sveriges Nationaldag) – June 6
8. Midsummer’s Eve (Midsommarafton) – The Friday between June 19 and 25
9. Midsummer Day (Midsommardagen) – The Saturday between June 20 and 26
10. All Saints’ Day (Alla Helgons Dag) – The Saturday between October 31 and November 6
11. Christmas Eve (Julafton) – December 24
12. Christmas Day (Juldagen) – December 25
13. Boxing Day (Annandag Jul) – December 26

Changing Jobs and Vacation Days

When you’re changing jobs in Sweden, the handling of your remaining vacation days is an important consideration.

I mean, you don’t wanna loose them… right?

To avoid that, the idea is that you should use up your accrued vacation days during your notice period.

To achieve this, it’s important to plan this with your employer. Some might prefer you to be present during the notice period for transition purposes, while others might be okay with you using up all your vacation days.

So, what happens if your employer doesn’t want you to take your vacation days during your notice period?

If, for some reason, you cannot take your vacation days during the notice period (for example, if there’s too much work to be done), you are entitled to be paid for these days.

The payment should be included in your final paycheck.

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Can You Carry Over Remaining Vacation Days to Next Year in Sweden?

Yes, in Sweden, you can carry over your unused vacation days to the next year. However, there are specific rules about how this works.

In Sweden, the statutory vacation entitlement is 25 days per year for most employees and you’re allowed to carry over at least 20 of these days if you can’t take them within the current vacation year.

Any vacation days beyond the statutory 20 days can be subject to agreements between the employer and the employee or union agreements.

So, if you have more than 25 days of vacation, the rules about carrying over these additional days may vary.

That’s why I always recommend that, for the best outcome, you should discuss your plans to carry over vacation days with your employer. This ensures both parties are on the same page and helps avoid misunderstandings.

Limitations: While carrying over vacation days is allowed, there may be limitations on how long you can keep them. Typically, you should use your carried-over vacation days within a certain period (often within 5 years), or you risk losing them.

What If You Get Sick While On Vacation?

Getting sick during your vacation is unfortunate, but Sweden has provisions to ensure you don’t lose your well-deserved rest.

If you fall ill while on vacation, you can convert those vacation days into sick leave days. This way, you can take your vacation at a later time.

How can you do this?

Steps to Convert Vacation Days to Sick Leave:

1. Notify Your Employer: Inform your employer as soon as possible. The notification should ideally be on the first day of your illness.
2. Medical Certificate: You will need to provide a medical certificate if your illness lasts for more than 7 days. Some employers might require this certificate sooner, so check your company’s policy.
3. Submit Documentation: Submit the medical certificate to your employer to officially document your sick leave. This process may vary depending on your workplace, so follow the specific procedure your employer has in place.
4. Reschedule Your Vacation: Once your sick leave is documented, you can talk to your employer about rescheduling the vacation days you missed due to illness.