Maximum working time in Sweden (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Ordinary working time is at most 40 hours a week, and total working time may average 48 hours a week over up to four months. Employees need 11 hours of daily rest and 36 hours of weekly rest.

RuleWhat applies
Maximum average weekly working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment48 hours [1]
Maximum daily working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified
Minimum daily restEmployees (adults) in general employment11 hours [1]
Minimum weekly restEmployees (adults) in general employmentAt least 36 hours of uninterrupted rest in every period of seven days, as far as possible placed at the weekend. [1]
Normal full-time working weekEmployees (adults) in general employmentOrdinary working time may be at most 40 hours a week. [1]
Individual opt-out from the weekly maximumEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • Total working time, including overtime, averaged over a seven-day period within a calculation period of up to four months. A collective agreement concluded or approved by a central employee organisation may extend the calculation period to up to 12 months (section 3).
  • The only daily limit found in the Act is for night workers: an average of 8 hours per 24 hours over a calculation period of up to four months (section 13 a). A general daily maximum was not stated in the sections read.
  • The 11 hours must include the time between midnight and 5 a.m. (section 13).
  • Ordinary working time may average 40 hours a week over up to four weeks where the nature of the work requires it. Collective agreements may deviate (section 3).
  • The Act has no individual opt-out in the sections read. Deviations from the 48-hour rule can be made by collective agreement concluded or approved by a central employee organisation (section 3). Whether an individual opt-out exists was not confirmed.

Sources

  1. Sveriges riksdag (Svensk författningssamling): Arbetstidslag (1982:673) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

Compare all countries →

General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.