Standard working hours in Sweden are 40 hours per week. Flexitime is very common.

Parents with children below the age of eight are entitled to reduce their working hours by up to 25%. 

Employees are entitled to rest during the night (i.e. between midnight and 5 a.m.) unless night work is necessary due to the nature of the work or for other reasons. 

There are special provisions on night work for employees under the age of 18. 

Overtime is limited to 48 hours over a four-week period, or 50 hours over a period of one month. Total overtime may not exceed 200 hours in a given 12-month period. 

Employers have an obligation to keep records of working time. Sunday working is governed by collective agreements. Most of these agreements regard Saturdays and Sundays as rest days. However, there are many exceptions (e.g. for shift workers and employees in certain sectors such as transport, retail, tourism and public services).

Text last edited on: 11/2009