If you’re thinking about leaving your job or have just lost it in Sweden, it’s important to know what steps to take. This article will help you understand everything from how much notice you need to give, to dealing with unemployment benefits, and what happens to things like your residence permit and health insurance when you’re not working.

Changing Jobs in Sweden

Here is what you need to do when actively changing jobs (or quit) in Sweden:

Calculate Your Notice Period

The first step is to determine your notice period, which is the amount of time you need to work after telling your employer you’re leaving.

You might be interested in: All about notice periods in Sweden

This period is important because it allows your employer time to find a replacement while ensuring you leave on good terms, which is crucial to get a positive reference for future job applications.

The length of your notice period is usually outlined in your employment contract and can vary depending on how long you’ve been with the company.

However, Swedish law sets the standard minimum notice period at one month for most employees (unless you’re on your probation period, then it’s just 2 weeks). For those who have been employed for a longer period, the notice period can extend up to six months, ensuring both parties have ample time to prepare for the transition.

Hand Your Resignation Letter

After figuring out your notice period, the next step is to formally resign by giving your resignation letter to your employer.

You might be interested in: How to write a resignation letter in Sweden?

The importance of this letter comes from the fact that it officially starts the process of your employment termination (which might come in handy in case any misunderstandings arise) and helps in maintaining a positive relationship with your employer.

So… what does this letter must have?

This letter should include:

• Your last working day, based on the notice period you’ve calculated.
• An expression of gratitude for the opportunities and experiences you’ve had with the company.
• (Optional) A brief and professional explanation of your decision to leave.

Find Documentation for Quitting (Optional)

In Sweden, to receive unemployment benefits without delay, you need to prove that your reasons for quitting were justified.

Thus, if you’re quitting for specific reasons (such as health issues) it’s wise to gather any relevant documentation (i.e. doctor’s note) as it will become important if you plan to apply for unemployment benefits after leaving your job.

Other reasons for quitting might include relocation for a spouse’s job or significant issues at work.

Getting Fired in Sweden

Getting fired in Sweden involves specific legal procedures totally different than the ones we’ve just mentioned. Especially regarding probation periods, notice periods, and severance pay.

Here’s what you need to know:

Probation Period Termination

In Sweden, during the probation period, either the employee or employer can terminate the employment without providing a long notice period.

Typically, the probation period lasts for six months, and the notice period during this time is usually two weeks (You might be interested: Probation periods in Sweden).

This means if you’re fired during your probation period, your employer is only required to give you two weeks’ notice instead of the normal 1 or 2 months of notice.

Checking the Notice Period

Whether you’re in your probation period or not, it’s important to ensure your employer respects the notice period as outlined in your contract and by Swedish law.

If you’ve been employed for a longer time than 6 months, the law requires a longer notice period than 2 weeks from the employer before termination.

The thing is this period can vary from one to six months, depending on your tenure at the company (You might be interested: Notice periods in Sweden).

And… what happens if the employer is not following the legal notice period?

Well, in that case, you’d need to take immediate action:

• Start by discussing the issue with your employer or HR department to see if it can be resolved internally.
• If this doesn’t lead to a satisfactory outcome, your next step could be to contact a union representative if you’re a member of a union as they can provide advice and assistance in negotiating with your employer or taking legal action if necessary.
• Additionally, you may consider seeking legal advice to understand your rights and the best course of action.

Severance Pay

Severance pay isn’t mandatory in Sweden, but it can be negotiated into your contract or even offered by your employer voluntarily, especially if your termination is part of a larger layoff or if it’s stipulated in your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.

Severance pay is typically calculated based on your gross income and length of service.

For example, a common practice might include one to two months’ salary for every year of service, but this can vary widely.

And.. will getting severance pay affect my unemployment benefits?

Severance pay does not usually affect your eligibility for unemployment benefits unless the severance package includes a clause that extends your employment period.

Understanding the Termination Agreement

A termination agreement is a separate concept, typically coming into play when an employee and employer mutually agree to end the employment relationship.

A lot of people get the termination agreement mixed up with severance pay. So, let me clear things up a bit:

• While severance pay compensates for job loss, a termination agreement outlines the terms under which you’re leaving, including any severance package.

You got to be careful before signing this agreement, as it normally means you’re agreeing to leave voluntarily, which can have several consequences:

• Loss of Dismissal Protection: You waive your right to claim unfair dismissal.
• Potential for Better Severance Pay: You might negotiate a better severance package in exchange for agreeing to leave voluntarily.
• Risk to Unemployment Benefits: You might risk losing eligibility for unemployment benefits for a period if the agreement is considered a voluntary resignation.

So, in short, I’d say that before signing any termination agreement, it’s wise to seek advice from a legal professional or a union representative as understanding the full scope of the agreement’s is crucial to making an informed decision (and always remember: we are not legal experts!).

What to Do When Before Losing Job in Sweden?

Here’s what I’d do right away after receiving my termination notice and before my last day at work:

Communicate with Official Institutions

As soon as you get notice of your termination, register as a job seeker with Arbetsförmedlingen (the Swedish Public Employment Service) as doing can speed up the process of getting unemployment benefits and also would give you access to job-seeking opportunities that match your profile.

You can register online through their website.

Informing other official institutions about your employment status change is also important.

What are these institutions?

• Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket): If you’re a work visa or a blue card visa holder in Sweden, you might have to inform the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) of any changes in your employment status. Typically, if you lose your job, the Migration Agency will give you a grace period of around three months. During this time, you are expected to find a new job in the same industry to maintain your residence permit. Failing to secure employment within this timeframe could result in the revocation of your visa.
• Unemployment Insurance Fund (Arbetslöshetskassa or A-kassa): This is your first point of contact to apply for unemployment benefits. You need to be a member of an A-kassa, which is often related to your profession or industry.
• Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan): While Försäkringskassan does not handle unemployment benefits, it is responsible for other social insurance benefits you might be entitled to, such as sickness benefits or parental benefits. Contacting them is important if you’re receiving any of these benefits or if your new situation (like reduced income due to unemployment) may qualify you for additional support.
• Union Representative (if applicable): If you are a member of a trade union, contacting your union representative can be extremely helpful. They can provide advice, support, and representation in dealings with your former employer, especially if there are disputes over your termination or severance.

Ask for a Letter of Reference

If you’re leaving on good terms you can ask your employer for a letter of reference as it can be invaluable in your job search, providing future employers with a positive account of your skills, experiences, and work ethic.

Collect Your Last Payslip and Tax Statement

Before leaving your job, I’d tell you to get these two documents:

• Last Swedish Payslip: Typically, your employer provides your payslip either electronically or in paper form, depending on the company’s policy. If you don’t have access to your payslip through your company’s employee portal, you should request it directly from your employer’s HR or payroll department.
• Tax Statement (Kontrolluppgift): This document can be obtained from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). It provides a summary of your income and the taxes paid over the previous year. Employees can access their tax statement online by logging into the Skatteverket website using their electronic identification (BankID or similar). If you prefer, you can also request a paper copy directly from the Swedish Tax Agency. (You might be interest: How do taxes work in Sweden)

Why I’d tell you to get this documents?

Well, the thing is that they are often required when applying for unemployment benefits, as they help to verify your income and employment history.

Pro-tip: Other Documents: I’d also tell you to gather any other relevant documents, such as your employment contract and any documentation related to your termination (e.g., termination notice, severance agreement, etc.). These can be important for both legal reasons and when applying for unemployment benefits (in case they wanted any additional paperwork).

What Happens to your Residence Permit When Unemployed?

It’ll depend on the kind of visa you’ll be holding:

Blue Card or Work Visa Holders

If you have a Blue Card or a general work visa and lose your job, your residence permit does not immediately expire, but you are typically given a grace period of three months to find new employment in the same field.

If you secure a new job in the same field with a different employer before having held your permit for 24 months, you will likely need to apply for the visa again (whether that is a work visa or a blue card visa).

However, if you change jobs after reaching the 24-month mark, you generally won’t need to reapply for the visa. It’s always a good idea to verify this with the Swedish Migration Agency to ensure compliance with their latest regulations.

And what if you don’t find a job within the grace period provided?

Well, in that case, then your residence permit might be at risk of not being renewed, which could mean having to leave Sweden.

Family Reunification Visa Holders

For those holding a family reunification visa, the permit is usually tied to the residence permit of the family member they joined in Sweden not to the job they have.

In other words, if you can legally stay in Sweden, they can continue to stay as well without worrying about needing to keep a job.

EU Citizens and Swedish Permanent Residents

If you are an EU citizen or a Swedish permanent resident, your right to stay in Sweden is not affected by employment status.

In other words, you have the right to live in Sweden even if you are unemployed.

What Happens to the Health Insurance When Unemployed?

Here’s what typically happens to both your public and private health insurance coverage if you lose employment:

Public Health Insurance

Coverage under the Swedish public health system is generally not affected by your employment status.

This means that even if you lose your job, you continue to have access to healthcare services just like when you were employed.

All residents in Sweden, including those who are unemployed, are entitled to healthcare under the public system, ensuring that losing a job does not mean losing access to medical care.

Private Health Insurance

Just like in any country, if you have private health insurance, the impact of unemployment on your coverage depends on the terms of your specific insurance policy.

Some important aspects to consider include:

• Premium Payments: If your employer was paying for your private health insurance as part of your employment benefits, this would typically stop when you are no longer employed. In such cases, you may need to take over the premium payments yourself to maintain your coverage.
• Policy Terms: Check the terms of your insurance policy to see how unemployment affects your coverage. Some policies might have clauses that change the coverage terms or costs based on your employment status.
• Continuation of Coverage: You may have the option to continue your coverage by converting your group policy into an individual policy. This often involves contacting your insurance provider to discuss the options and any changes in the premiums or benefits.

What Happens to the Unused Vacation Days?

In Sweden, the handling of unused vacation days when you leave a job is regulated under the

According to the Swedish Annual Leave Act, if you have accrued vacation days that you haven’t used by the time your employment ends, you are typically entitled to a financial compensation for these days.

This payment is calculated based on your current salary and is meant to compensate you for the vacation time you earned but did not take.

Let’s do a quick example: Suppose your monthly salary is 30,000 SEK and you typically work 20 days per month. This means your daily wage would be 1,500 SEK (30,000 SEK divided by 20 days). If you have 5 unused vacation days at the time of your departure, the calculation for your vacation pay would be 7,500 SEK (5 days x 1,500 SEK per day). Therefore, you would receive 7,500 SEK as compensation for your unused vacation days. This payment should be included in your final paycheck or as a separate payment from your employer.

What to Do When After Losing Job in Sweden?

Here some important things I’d do after losing my job in Sweden and being officially unemployed:

Enroll in Courses and Utilize Arbetsförmedlingen

Consider enrolling in courses or workshops that can help improve your qualifications or provide new skills relevant to your industry.

Also, in Sweden, Arbetsförmedlingen (the Swedish Public Employment Service) often offers various training programs that can be accessed by job seekers.

In fact, they provide support for job seekers, including help with job searches, career advice, and information about the labor market.

Update CV and Cover Letter

You can also update your CV and tailor your cover letter to each job position to maximize your chances of finding a new job.

Your CV should reflect the most current professional standards and highlight your skills and experiences relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

You can also take advantage of online job boards and company websites to find job openings (You might be interested in: How to find a job in Sweden).

You might be interested in: Most common HR interview questions in Sweden