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Taxes Social security in Sweden Trade unions and unemployment funds Pensions Family & parenting Health care Vacation and public holidays Work as a cultural worker

Working in Sweden

Read about rules and regulations when working in Sweden

The Swedish tax system - a brief introduction

Ordinary income tax in Sweden consists of municipal and national tax, and the tax rate is determined according to your income level.

Paying tax - what to do when you get a job in Sweden

When you work in Sweden, you pay Swedish tax on your salary. As a daily commuter, you are usually taxed according to the SINK tax scheme, but you can choose to be taxed according to the standard Swedish income tax rules. If you do not already have a Swedish personal identity number, you will also need a coordination number, which you can apply for at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).

Danish tax when you have a job in Sweden

When you live in Denmark and commute to a job in Sweden, you pay tax in Sweden. The most common is to pay 25 percent SINK tax (special income tax). In some cases, you are also charged additional tax in Denmark.

SINK tax when commuting to Sweden

If you commute from Denmark to your workplace in Sweden, you have limited tax liability and you may be taxed at the so-called SINK tax (special income tax for non-residents), which is 25 percent.

Expert tax in Sweden

If you are a foreign person recruited to work with particularly qualified tasks in Sweden, you can be covered by the so-called expert tax.

Taxation and working remotely if you live in Denmark and work in Sweden

If your job requires or allows you to work remotely, your tax situation can be affected. In this article you can read more about the tax rules that apply when working remotely if you are employed in Sweden, and you live in Denmark.

Social security if you work in or move to Sweden

If you have social insurance in a country, it means that you are entitled to social benefits in the country in question. It also means that you or your employer are obliged to pay social charges to the country in question. As a general rule, you have social insurance in the country in which you are working.

Working in both Sweden and Denmark – social security

As a general rule, as an employee, you are covered by social security in the country in which you work, regardless of which country you live in. If you work in both Sweden and Denmark, your social security affiliation depends on how much you work in each respective country.

Trade union membership

The Swedish trade unions can provide support and assistance to its members in matters of pay and terms of employment.

Summary on Swedish trade unions

Trade unions safeguard the interests of employees and can help the member of the trade union with issues related to e.g. contracts or working conditions.

Summary on Swedish unemployment insurance funds

If you want to obtain the right to unemployment benefits, you have to become a member of an unemployment fund. Read about unemployment funds in the following.

Unemployment benefits - if you commute to/from Sweden

If you commute between Denmark and Sweden, there are special rules regarding unemployment insurance funds and unemployment benefits. The main rule is that if you want unemployment benefits, you must be a member of an unemployment insurance fund in your working country, as long as you are in work.

Pension system in Sweden

When you work in Sweden, you earn a Swedish public pension based on your taxable income.

Swedish public pension (allmän pension)

You earn a Swedish public pension when working in Sweden. A public pension is largely funded by employer-paid social security contributions.

Public occupational pension (tjänstepension) in Sweden

Most employers offer occupational pension, which serves as a supplement to the public pension.

Payment of pensions

If you have accrued a pension in Sweden, there are some things you should be aware of when it is time to draw you pension.

Parental leave in Sweden

When you work in Sweden, and are covered by the Swedish social insurance, you are entitled to Swedish parental leave. The right to take parental leave applies from the first day off work.

Parental benefits in Sweden

When you work in Sweden, you are entitled to leave with parental benefits (föräldrapenning) on the same conditions as Swedish citizens. It is Försäkringskassan (the Swedish Social Insurance Agency) that administers parental benefits.

Child benefit when working in Sweden

Whether child benefit is paid primarily in Sweden or Denmark depends on where both parents work and in which country the child lives. Here is a brief introduction about which authority to contact.

The Swedish health care system

When you work in Sweden, you are entitled to treatment in both Sweden and Denmark. This applies to both emergency and planned treatment. If you become sick, you should first consult a “Health Centre” (Vårdcentral).

Right to treatment in Sweden

If you live in Denmark and work in Sweden, you are entitled to get the same treatment as Swedish citizens. This applies to both emergency and planned treatment.

Sickness benefit in Sweden

When you work in Sweden, you are also subject to the Swedish regulations regarding sickness benefit. It is Försäkringskassan (the Swedish Social Insurance Agency) that is responsible for sickness benefits.

Health insurance in Sweden

The Swedish health insurance ("sjukförsäkring") pays for treatment for anyone working or living in Sweden. However, you must pay a small part of the cost yourself, the so-called patient charge.

Getting treatment from a dentist in Sweden

If you work in Sweden and need dental treatment, you can choose between the Swedish Public Dental Service (Folktandvården) or a private dentist.

Sickness benefits in Sweden and Denmark

When you work in Sweden, you are subject to the Swedish rules regarding sickness benefits. Försäkringskassan is the authority responsible for sickness benefits.

Leave when you work in Sweden

When you work in Sweden, you have the right to take leave under Swedish rules. For example, you have the right to take parental leave with benefit for a total of 480 days.

Holidays 2023 - in Denmark and Sweden

If you want to know when we have holidays in 2023 in Denmark and Sweden, see our overview here.

Holidays 2024 - in Denmark and Sweden

If you want to know when we have holidays in 2024 in Denmark and Sweden, see our overview here.

Tax for cultural workers

If you are working as a cultural worker in the Øresund region, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the special rules and challenges that exist regarding tax. If you have any questions about what applies in your case, you are welcome to contact the Swedish Tax Agency at Øresunddirekt’s Information Center for further information.

Tips when you are looking for work in the cultural sector in Sweden

Are you keen to explore the job opportunities on the other side of the Sound? That’s not a bad idea at all! The pleasant, direct approach of Danes is often appreciated in Swedish workplaces. The way to apply for jobs in Sweden is not very different from what it’s like in Denmark. We’ve put together a few tips below that can be useful to bear in mind.

Cultural worker in the Øresund region

If you work as a cultural worker in the Øresund region, it’s important that you understand the specific rules that apply in regard to tax, social insurance and unemployment benefits (a-kasse).