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Sick pay & qualifying deduction
Calculate Swedish sick pay for days 1–14 and the karensavdrag (20% of a week of sick pay) in 2026, plus sickness benefit from day 15.
How the qualifying deduction works
When you are ill your employer pays sick pay for days 1–14. The sick pay is 80% of the pay you lose. From that a qualifying deduction (karensavdrag) is made, equal to 20% of an average week of sick pay – that is, 20% of 80% of the weekly pay. The deduction is the same amount regardless of when during the day you fall ill, and it is only made once per period of illness.
Since 2019 it is a deduction in kronor, not a whole waiting day. The difference shows if you fall ill mid-day: you receive sick pay for the hours you are absent, but the deduction is always the same size. If you fall ill again within five calendar days it counts as the same period of illness and no new deduction is made.
From day 15 the Social Insurance Agency takes over with sickness benefit, just under 80% of your qualifying income (SGI). There is a cap: SGI is counted on at most 10 price base amounts, i.e. 592,000 kr for 2026. From day 8 a doctor’s certificate is required.
Source: the Swedish Sick Pay Act (1991:1047) and Försäkringskassan, price base amount 59,200 kr (2026). Guidance only – collective agreements may give sick pay above the statutory level.
| Period | Compensation | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–14 | sick pay, 80% of the salary | the employer |
| Qualifying deduction | 20% of a week of sick pay, once per period of illness | deducted from the sick pay |
| Doctor's certificate | required from day 8 | the employee |
| Day 15 onwards | sickness benefit, just under 80% of SGI | Försäkringskassan |
| SGI cap | 10 price base amounts = 592,000 kr | price base amount 59,200 kr (2026) |
| Maximum sickness benefit | about 1,259 kr per day | for income above the cap |
Updated for 2026 · Source: Skatteverket / SCB · About the calculations