Sickness benefit in Sweden

 

Sickness benefit when you work in Sweden

If you only work in Sweden, you are generally covered by Swedish social security. This means that you are entitled to sickness benefit under Swedish rules if you become ill.

The first day of a sickness period is subject to a deduction, karensavdrag. This means that part of your compensation is deducted at the start of your sick leave.

During the first 14 days of your sickness absence, your employer pays sick pay instead of your regular salary. If you are ill for more than seven calendar days, you must provide a medical certificate to your employer.

If you are still unable to work after 14 days, The Swedish Social Insurance Agency, Försäkringskassan, takes over the payments. Your employer reports your sickness absence, after which you must apply for sickness benefit yourself.

You must document your illness with a medical certificate.

Read about sickness benefit in Sweden at Försäkringskassan

Calculate your sickness benefit at Ersättningskollen

When can you receive sickness benefit?

You may be entitled to sickness benefit if you:

• are unable to work because of illness
• lose income
• are insured in Sweden

You can receive 25, 50, 75 or 100 % sickness benefit, depending on how much you are able to work during your illness.

For short-term illness, you are typically either fully or partially on sick leave. If your illness lasts longer, Försäkringskassan assesses your work capacity based on a medical certificate.

The amount you receive is based on your annual income. Försäkringskassan determines your SGI, sjukpenninggrundande inkomst, which is used to calculate your sickness benefit.

Read about being insured in Sweden at Försäkringskassan

See current sickness benefit rates at Försäkringskassan

Sickness benefit when you work in Denmark

If you work in Denmark, you are generally covered by Danish social security and the Danish rules on sickness benefit.

Read about sickness benefit in Denmark at borger.dk