HR & Payroll in Sweden

Good to know

Local Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)

Minimum Salary: There is no minimum wage in Sweden.

Salaries are set by collective agreement between employers and unions.

Salary Calculation: gross to net

Legal Working Hours: Statutory working hours may not exceed 40 hours per week in a full-time job.

Total hours of work cannot exceed 48 hours per week, including on-call, overtime and additional hours.

Paid Leave: 25 full days of paid holiday each year.

Unless specified otherwise in the collective agreement or employment contract, vacation days are assigned on April 1 of each year.

About Sweden

Sweden is a country in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. It is one of the largest countries in Europe. Sweden is a place with a very high standard of living that attracts many workers and companies. 

Its economy is based on the exploitation of wood, hydroelectricity, iron deposits and on a very developed industry (automobile, aeronautics or paper industry). The country has seen the birth of some of the world’s best known companies such as Ikea, H&M, Spotify and Volvo. 

Fun fact: Swedes are champions of recycling. Only 1% of household waste ends up in landfills. 36% of waste is recycled, 14% is composted and 49% is incinerated to create energy.  

Are you looking to settle in Sweden? Do you need help with payroll or human resources management? Our Swedish payroll and HR experts will provide you with a fast and accurate service in full compliance with local legislation.

Ready to Benefit from Swedish HR & Payroll Experts?

The Swedish social security system (for employees)

The Swedish social security system includes the following insurances:

  • Sickness
  • Maternity
  • Old age
  • Invalidity
  • Survivors
  • Workplace accidents – occupational diseases
  • Unemployment

Each year, a base amount (prisbasbelopp) is set by the Swedish government for the calculation of various social security benefits (pensions, daily allowances…). It is re-evaluated each year according to the evolution of consumer prices in the country. For the year 2023, it amounts to 52,500 SEK. 

Administrative Organization

The Swedish social security system is under the authority of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The social assistance system is also under the authority of the Ministry. It is supervised by the National Board of Health and Welfare and administered by the Swedish municipalities. 

Old age pensions and survivors’ benefits are provided by the Swedish Pensions Agency. The rest of the basic social insurance is administered by the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). 

The unemployment insurance system in Sweden is partly based on a voluntary system. It is supervised by the Ministry of Employment. There are 24 unemployment insurance funds in Sweden that pay benefits (Swedish Unemployment Insurance Inspectorate). In order to receive benefits, the job seeker must first register with the Swedish Public Employment Service. 

The provincial councils and the regions are responsible for health services. 

Funding

Employer contributions in Sweden

The employer must pay social security contributions for all salaries above SEK 1,000 per year. The employer’s contributions are paid on the entire salary.

Employer Contributions (2024)

Sickness3.55%
Old age10.21% (1)
Survivors0.60%
Parental Insurance2.60%
Workplace accidents and occupational diseases0.20%
Unemployment2.64%
General contribution (allmän löneavgift) (2)11.62%
Total31.42% (3)

(1) For employees born before 1956, the old age contribution is the only employer’s contribution to be paid. The same applies to employees born between 2004 and 2006 with an income of less than SEK 25,000/month.

(2) Foreign employers without an establishment in Sweden are not subject to the general contribution. Their total contribution is therefore 19.80%.

(3) A lower contribution (19.73%) is applicable for young employees (born between 1999 and 2003) with income below SEK 25,000/month.

Personal Income Tax

Sweden has a withholding system. Employers deduct the statutory amounts from each employee’s salary.

Employment income for residents is subject to both municipal income tax and national income tax. Municipal income tax is levied at a flat rate, which varies from municipality to municipality. The current average rate is 32.34%. The national tax is levied at a rate of 20% on income between SEK 420,800 and SEK 602,600. The rate is 25% on income above SEK 602,600.

Collection

Each month, the employer deducts income tax and social security contributions from the salaries. The employer then forwards these to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). The contributions must be paid by the 12th of each month for the previous month (by the 17th in January and August).

If you are an employer based abroad, you must register using the form SKV 4632.

Our HR & Payroll Experts are Ready to Help

Payroll and HR are different in each country and to each business. Trust one of our local experts to ensure your company’s compliance in Sweden.

Our Payroll and HR services in Sweden

HR & Payroll in Sweden

HR & Payroll in Sweden

Payroll in Sweden

Good to know

Local Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)

Minimum Salary: There is no minimum wage in Sweden.

Salaries are set by collective agreement between employers and unions.

Salary Calculation: gross to net

Legal Working Hours: Statutory working hours may not exceed 40 hours per week in a full-time job.

Total hours of work cannot exceed 48 hours per week, including on-call, overtime and additional hours.

Paid Leave: 25 full days of paid holiday each year.

Unless specified otherwise in the collective agreement or employment contract, vacation days are assigned on April 1 of each year.

Ready to Benefit from Swedish HR & Payroll Experts?

About Sweden

Sweden is a country in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. It is one of the largest countries in Europe. Sweden is a place with a very high standard of living that attracts many workers and companies. 

Its economy is based on the exploitation of wood, hydroelectricity, iron deposits and on a very developed industry (automobile, aeronautics or paper industry). The country has seen the birth of some of the world’s best known companies such as Ikea, H&M, Spotify and Volvo. 

Fun fact: Swedes are champions of recycling. Only 1% of household waste ends up in landfills. 36% of waste is recycled, 14% is composted and 49% is incinerated to create energy.  

Are you looking to settle in Sweden? Do you need help with payroll or human resources management? Our Swedish payroll and HR experts will provide you with a fast and accurate service in full compliance with local legislation. 

The Swedish social security system (for employees)

The Swedish social security system includes the following insurances:

  • Sickness
  • Maternity
  • Old age
  • Invalidity
  • Survivors
  • Workplace accidents – occupational diseases
  • Unemployment

Each year, a base amount (prisbasbelopp) is set by the Swedish government for the calculation of various social security benefits (pensions, daily allowances…). It is re-evaluated each year according to the evolution of consumer prices in the country. For the year 2023, it amounts to 52,500 SEK. 

Administrative Organization

The Swedish social security system is under the authority of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The social assistance system is also under the authority of the Ministry. It is supervised by the National Board of Health and Welfare and administered by the Swedish municipalities. 

Old age pensions and survivors’ benefits are provided by the Swedish Pensions Agency. The rest of the basic social insurance is administered by the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). 

The unemployment insurance system in Sweden is partly based on a voluntary system. It is supervised by the Ministry of Employment. There are 24 unemployment insurance funds in Sweden that pay benefits (Swedish Unemployment Insurance Inspectorate). In order to receive benefits, the job seeker must first register with the Swedish Public Employment Service. 

The provincial councils and the regions are responsible for health services. 

Funding

Employer contributions in Sweden

The employer must pay social security contributions for all salaries above SEK 1,000 per year. The employer’s contributions are paid on the entire salary.

Employer Contributions (2023)

Sickness 3.55%
Old age 10.21% (1)
Survivors 0.60%
Parental Insurance 2.60%
Workplace accidents and occupational diseases 0.20%
Unemployment 2.64%
General contribution (allmän löneavgift) (2) 11.62%
Total 31.42% (3)

(1) For employees born before 1956, the old age contribution is the only employer’s contribution to be paid. The same applies to employees born between 2004 and 2006 with an income of less than SEK 25,000/month.

(2) Foreign employers without an establishment in Sweden are not subject to the general contribution. Their total contribution is therefore 19.80%.

(3) A lower contribution (19.73%) is applicable for young employees (born between 1999 and 2003) with income below SEK 25,000/month.

Personal Income Tax

Sweden has a withholding system. Employers deduct the statutory amounts from each employee’s salary.

Employment income for residents is subject to both municipal income tax and national income tax. Municipal income tax is levied at a flat rate, which varies from municipality to municipality. The current average rate is 32.34%. The national tax is levied at a rate of 20% on income between SEK 420,800 and SEK 602,600. The rate is 25% on income above SEK 602,600.

Collection

Each month, the employer deducts income tax and social security contributions from the salaries. The employer then forwards these to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). The contributions must be paid by the 12th of each month for the previous month (by the 17th in January and August). 

If you are an employer based abroad, you must register using the form SKV 4632. 

Our HR & Payroll Experts are Ready to Help

Payroll and HR are different in each country and to each business. Trust one of our local experts to ensure your company’s compliance in Sweden.

Our Payroll and HR services in Sweden

Good to know

Local Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)

Minimum Salary: There is no minimum wage in Sweden.

Salaries are set by collective agreement between employers and unions.

Salary Calculation: gross to net

Legal Working Hours: Statutory working hours may not exceed 40 hours per week in a full-time job.

Total hours of work cannot exceed 48 hours per week, including on-call, overtime and additional hours.

Paid Leave: 25 full days of paid holiday each year.

Unless specified otherwise in the collective agreement or employment contract, vacation days are assigned on April 1 of each year.

Ready to Benefit from Swedish HR & Payroll Experts?

About Sweden

Sweden is a country in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. It is one of the largest countries in Europe. Sweden is a place with a very high standard of living that attracts many workers and companies. 

Its economy is based on the exploitation of wood, hydroelectricity, iron deposits and on a very developed industry (automobile, aeronautics or paper industry). The country has seen the birth of some of the world’s best known companies such as Ikea, H&M, Spotify and Volvo. 

Fun fact: Swedes are champions of recycling. Only 1% of household waste ends up in landfills. 36% of waste is recycled, 14% is composted and 49% is incinerated to create energy.  

Are you looking to settle in Sweden? Do you need help with payroll or human resources management? Our Swedish payroll and HR experts will provide you with a fast and accurate service in full compliance with local legislation. 

The Swedish social security system (for employees)

The Swedish social security system includes the following insurances:

  • Sickness
  • Maternity
  • Old age
  • Invalidity
  • Survivors
  • Workplace accidents – occupational diseases
  • Unemployment

Each year, a base amount (prisbasbelopp) is set by the Swedish government for the calculation of various social security benefits (pensions, daily allowances…). It is re-evaluated each year according to the evolution of consumer prices in the country. For the year 2023, it amounts to 52,500 SEK.

Administrative Organization

The Swedish social security system is under the authority of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The social assistance system is also under the authority of the Ministry. It is supervised by the National Board of Health and Welfare and administered by the Swedish municipalities. 

Old age pensions and survivors’ benefits are provided by the Swedish Pensions Agency. The rest of the basic social insurance is administered by the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). 

The unemployment insurance system in Sweden is partly based on a voluntary system. It is supervised by the Ministry of Employment. There are 24 unemployment insurance funds in Sweden that pay benefits (Swedish Unemployment Insurance Inspectorate). In order to receive benefits, the job seeker must first register with the Swedish Public Employment Service. 

The provincial councils and the regions are responsible for health services. 

Funding

Employer contributions in Sweden

The employer must pay social security contributions for all salaries above SEK 1,000 per year. The employer’s contributions are paid on the entire salary.

Employer Contributions (2023)

Sickness 3.55%
Old age 10.21% (1)
Survivors 0.60%
Parental Insurance 2.60%
Workplace accidents and occupational diseases 0.20%
Unemployment 2.64%
General contribution (allmän löneavgift) (2) 11.62%
Total 31.42% (3)

(1) For employees born before 1956, the old age contribution is the only employer’s contribution to be paid. The same applies to employees born between 2004 and 2006 with an income of less than SEK 25,000/month.

(2) Foreign employers without an establishment in Sweden are not subject to the general contribution. Their total contribution is therefore 19.80%.

(3) A lower contribution (19.73%) is applicable for young employees (born between 1999 and 2003) with income below SEK 25,000/month

Personal Income Tax

Sweden has a withholding system. Employers deduct the statutory amounts from each employee’s salary.

Employment income for residents is subject to both municipal income tax and national income tax. Municipal income tax is levied at a flat rate, which varies from municipality to municipality. The current average rate is 32.34%. The national tax is levied at a rate of 20% on income between SEK 420,800 and SEK 602,600. The rate is 25% on income above SEK 602,600.

Collection

Each month, the employer deducts income tax and social security contributions from the salaries. The employer then forwards these to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). The contributions must be paid by the 12th of each month for the previous month (by the 17th in January and August).

If you are an employer based abroad, you must register using the form SKV 4632.

Our HR & Payroll Experts are Ready to Help

Payroll and HR are different in each country and to each business. Trust one of our local experts to ensure your company’s compliance in Sweden.

Our Payroll and HR services in Sweden

Sources