Sick leave and medical certificates

What happens when

1. 1

   Day 1: tell your employer

   Follow your workplace’s routine for calling in sick.

2. 2

   Days 1–14: sick pay (sjuklön)

   Your employer pays 80% of your lost pay. A qualifying deduction (karensavdrag) of 20% of an average week’s sick pay is made — for a five-day week, about one day’s sick pay.

3. 3

   From day 8: medical certificate

   Get a certificate from a doctor (or dentist) to keep receiving sick pay. Your employer can ask for one earlier.

4. 4

   From day 15: sickness benefit (sjukpenning)

   Once your employer has reported you sick, apply through Försäkringskassan’s e-service on Mina sidor. Your doctor usually sends the certificate digitally.

Official sources

Rules and fees change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply or pay. Last checked 14 Oct 2026.

• Försäkringskassan: Sick when you are employed (Swedish)forsakringskassan.se
• Försäkringskassan: If your employee becomes ill (Swedish)forsakringskassan.se

Related guides

• Working hours, overtime and holidayBy law: 40 hours a week, limited overtime, at least 11 hours’ rest a day, and 25 days of holiday a year. Collective agreements often give more.
• Insurance and FörsäkringskassanFörsäkringskassan pays benefits like sickness benefit, parental benefit and child allowance. Whether you are covered depends on living or working here — not on having healthcare access.