In Sweden working hours aren’t all about staying late at the office or bringing work home like in other countries (I’m looking at you USA!).

Actually, Sweden has figured out a way to work smart at their jobs, keep people happy, and still get everything done.

In this article, we’re going to break down how Sweden manages its working hours. We’ll look at the laws that set the workweek, how overtime works, and even how breaks are built into the day.

Let’s do it.

Applicable Laws to Working Hours in Sweden

Okay, so, you got your job in Sweden after looking for it and working hard on your CV, cover letters, interview skills and salary negotiation.

Now, what can you expect about working hours?

Just like with vacation days, the Swedish Working Hours Act is the primary legislation governing work hours in Sweden and it sets the standard working week at a maximum of 40 hours (careful, this is only for employees, not freelancers or business owners)

However, collective agreements can modify these conditions (i.e. paid salaries), allowing for flexibility in different sectors.

An example?

Well, for instance in the state sector, the maximum working hours in a week is slightly shorter at 39 hours and 45 minutes according to the central collective agreement.

The Act also mandates daily and weekly rest periods, with employees generally entitled to a rest break after five hours of work, a minimum daily rest of 11 consecutive hours, and a weekly rest period of at least 36 consecutive hours so that employees have sufficient rest and recovery time, contributing to a better work-life balance.

Standard Working Hours in Sweden

As explained, the standard working week is set at 40 hours usually spread from Monday to Friday as the standard working days.

This standard seeks to balance work and personal time, boosting productivity without leading to burnout or resignation.

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How many hours is full-time in Sweden?

40 hours in a week is considered to be full time, but specifically, employees can work up to 48 hours per week, including overtime, on-call time, and additional hours, averaged over a four-month period.

How many hours is part-time in Sweden?

Part-time work in Sweden is generally considered to be any schedule under 35 to 30 hours per week​​​​ (normally, it’s 20 hours a week).

It’s worth mentioning that Sweden does not enforce a legal clause specifically for part-time or full-time working hours, beyond the stipulations for overtime and rest periods.

As with almost all things work related flexibility in working hours, including part-time work, is often determined by collective bargaining agreements and clarified in job contracts.

There is a trend to reduce working hours in Sweden

Over the years, there has been a trend towards reducing working hours in Sweden.

The gradual decline can be attributed to initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and employee well-being, while maintaining stable paychecks. This recognizes the principle that a workforce that is both rested and content is inherently more efficient.

While there have been experiments, such as in the town of Mlndal, with a six-hour workday aimed at boosting productivity and happiness, the standard 40-hour workweek remains prevalent across the country​​.

Working Hours in Sweden by Industry

The industries with the highest working hours in Sweden likely include those in the transportation, communications, electric, gas, and sanitary services, along with agriculture, forestry, fishing, public sector, and mining.

These sectors normally have longer hours than the standard 40-hour work week due to operational demands and critical services they provide.

For instance, in the transportation sector, employees tend to work in their jobs for at least the standard 40 hours as they must ensure continuous operations and manage schedules. Otherwise, there could be serious issues such as delays or operational disruptions that could end up affecting the country’s infrastructure and economy.

In the agriculture industry, working hours often exceed the 40-hour threshold due to the nature of farming tasks like cultivating and harvesting crops. These activities are highly time-sensitive, depending on weather conditions and seasonal cycles, requiring workers to put in extra hours to ensure crops are sown and harvested at the optimal times for yield and quality.

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Working Hours for Students in Sweden

In Sweden international students, have the opportunity to work part-time alongside their studies. During term time, they are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.

This limit is designed to ensure that work commitments do not interfere with their primary goal in Sweden—education.

During holidays, however, students can work full-time, providing them with a chance to earn more and possibly save up for the term ahead​​.

What about Swedish or EU students? (I hear you asking)

Well, there’s no official limit on the number of hours Swedish or EU students can work during their studies. However, it’s advised that they prioritize their education instead of work.

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Working Hours for Young People

For young people, including students under a certain age, Sweden has specific regulations to protect their work-life balance and ensure their employment does not hinder their education (AFS 2012:3).

Generally, young people may work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.

This is in line with the standard working hours for adults, ensuring young workers are not overburdened. Special regulations apply to ensure that work does not conflict with their school responsibilities​​.

Overtime in Sweden

In Sweden, standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with any hours beyond considered overtime.

Employers can require up to 48 hours of overtime over four weeks or 50 hours in one month, capped at 200 hours annually. These hours are compensated at a higher rate than regular hours, reflecting the additional value of work performed outside of standard schedules.

Overtime pay is typically outlined in collective bargaining agreements and can vary, often offering compensation through extra paid holidays instead of direct pay. This form of overtime compensation is crucial for workers earning below the average salary in Sweden who are aiming to achieve a good salary in Sweden.

Pro tip: If you think your employer will want you to work overtime without the proper pay or rest breaks, you should decline working for them without any regards. Your health is a priority

Mandatory Breaks

The Swedish Working Hours Act specifies that if an employee works more than five hours, they are entitled to a break. The law requires that this break should be long enough for the employee to rest and eat.

Also, the law stipulates a minimum uninterrupted rest period of 11 hours daily, and a continuous weekly rest span of no less than 36 hours to ensure employees receive adequate downtime for rest.

However, the exact duration of the minimum break is not specified in a straightforward manner and can depend on collective agreements or individual contracts.

Specific rules apply to young workers under 18. If a young worker’s daily working time exceeds 4.5 hours, they are entitled to a break, which is usually longer than the standard for adults.

Night Working Hours in Sweden

In Sweden, night hours are typically defined as the period between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The compensation for working night hours in Sweden is higher than for day-time working hours (of course). This is because employers are required to offer additional pay, known as “night pay” or “night differential,” to employees working during these hours.

The exact amount of this additional pay can vary depending on the industry, the collective bargaining agreement in place, and the employer’s policies.

In my experience, this extra compensation is at least 30% more than when working during day hours, but, again, it depends on the industry.

Sweden Working Hours vs Other Countries

Sweden, with a standard workweek of 40 hours, aims for a balanced work-life culture.

Let’s compare it with other countries:

• United States: Here the standard workweek is 40 hours too, but many employees find themselves working beyond that, with averages nearing 47 hours per week for full-time workers. (You might like: How to work in Sweden as an American)
• United Kingdom: This country also follows a 40-hour standard workweek, yet it’s common for workers to exceed this, especially in certain sectors, with average actual hours worked hovering around 42 hours per week.
• Denmark: Here, you’ll see the standard 40 hour work week as the average (like it happens with Germany and Sweden) as work-life balance is prioritized
• Spain: Traditionally known for longer hours (45 hs+), has been moving towards shorter workweeks to improve productivity and work-life balance.

What about the rest of the world?

Globally, average working hours vary, with some countries working significantly more or less than the global average.

You can see that the average workweek varies globally, with Mauritania having the longest at 54 hours and Australia among the shortest at 29 hours.

In Asia, workweeks can be long, with countries like Singapore and Malaysia having workweeks around 44 hours, and others like Japan and South Korea known for extensive work hours due to their work culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saturday a working day in Sweden?

No, in Sweden, Saturdays are generally not considered working days. The typical workweek runs from Monday to Friday, aligning with the 40-hour workweek standard.

How many working days are in a year in Sweden?

The number of working days in a year in Sweden varies due to public holidays and the standard five-day workweek. On average, excluding weekends and public holidays, there are about 253 working days in a year.