Public holidays in Sweden (röda dagar) are 13 days each year when most employees are entitled to time off. Swedish public holidays are regulated by law, but the system includes both fixed holidays and movable ones. As an employer, you need to know which holidays apply, how to pay employees, and how the collective agreements (kollektivavtal) affect holiday entitlements.
Sweden’s public holiday system is governed by the Annual Leave Act (Semesterlagen) and collective agreements. The key distinction is between “red days” (public holidays) and regular holidays — red days are treated differently for annual leave calculations. This guide covers all Swedish public holidays for 2026 and your obligations under Swedish employment law.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organisation.
2026 Swedish Public Holidays (Röda Dagar)
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Nyårsdagen) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Epiphany (Trettondedag jul) | 6 January | Tuesday |
| Good Friday (Långfredagen) | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Saturday (Påskafton) | 4 April | Saturday |
| Easter Sunday (Påskdagen) | 5 April | Sunday |
| Easter Monday (Annandag påsk) | 6 April | Monday |
| Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton) | 30 April | Thursday |
| Labour Day (Första maj) | 1 May | Friday |
| Ascension Day (Kristi Himmelsfärdsdag) | 14 May | Thursday |
| National Day (Sveriges nationaldag) | 6 June | Saturday |
| Midsummer Eve (Midsommarafton) | 19 June | Friday |
| Midsummer Day (Midsommardagen) | 20 June | Saturday |
| All Saints’ Day (Alla helgons dag) | 31 October | Saturday |
| Christmas Eve (Julafton) | 24 December | Thursday |
| Christmas Day (Juldagen) | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day (Annandag jul) | 26 December | Saturday |
| New Year’s Eve (Nyårsafton) | 31 December | Thursday |
Note: National Day (6 June) falls on a Saturday, Midsummer Day (20 June) falls on a Saturday, and All Saints’ Day (31 October) falls on a Saturday in 2026.
How Many “Red Days” Are There?
Sweden has approximately 13-16 red days per year, depending on how you count:
- National holidays: New Year’s Day, Epiphany, National Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
- Christian holidays: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, All Saints’ Day
- Traditional celebrations: Walpurgis Night, Labour Day, Midsummer Eve, Midsummer Day
The exact number varies because some holidays have both an eve and a day component.
How to Pay Employees on Public Holidays
Fixed Salary Employees
Fixed salary employees receive their regular salary for public holidays. The holiday is included in their monthly salary — no additional payment is required.
Hourly Employees
For hourly-paid employees:
- If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they receive pay for their normal hours
- If the public holiday falls on a non-working day, they receive nothing (unless the collective agreement provides otherwise)
Calculating a Day’s Pay
- Fixed salary: Monthly salary ÷ average working days per month
- Hourly: Hours normally worked × hourly rate
Example: An employee earning 35,000 SEK/month works Monday to Friday. Ascension Day (14 May) falls on a Thursday. Their daily pay is 35,000 SEK ÷ 22 working days = 1,590.91 SEK.
Working on Public Holidays
Swedish law does not prohibit work on public holidays. However:
- Collective agreements often require premium pay for holiday work
- Employee consent is generally required
- Essential services may require work regardless
Common Premium Rates
| Situation | Premium |
|---|---|
| Collective agreement (general) | 50-100% premium |
| Christmas Eve / New Year’s Eve | 100% premium |
| Midsummer Eve | 100% premium |
| Essential services | Varies by agreement |
Always check your collective agreement for the applicable rate.
Public Holidays and Annual Leave
Under the Annual Leave Act (Semesterlagen), public holidays that fall during an employee’s annual leave are excluded from the leave count. If a public holiday occurs while the employee is on leave, their leave is extended by one day.
Important: Only “red days” are excluded — regular working days during the holiday period still count as leave.
Example: An employee takes annual leave from 13-17 August 2026. No red days fall within this period, so all 5 days count as leave. If Midsummer Eve (19 June) fell within a leave period, it would not count as leave.
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
These “half-days” deserve special attention:
- Christmas Eve (24 December) — A red day, but many employers grant a half-day
- New Year’s Eve (31 December) — A red day, but many employers grant a half-day
The treatment of these days varies by collective agreement. Some agreements grant a full day off, others a half-day.
Midsummer
Midsummer is Sweden’s most important traditional holiday:
- Midsummer Eve (19 June) — Always a Friday, treated as a red day
- Midsummer Day (20 June) — Always a Saturday, treated as a red day
Most employers grant time off for Midsummer Eve. Midsummer Day falls on a Saturday in 2026.
Common Mistakes
Not Extending Annual Leave
Public holidays during annual leave must be excluded from the leave count. Failing to extend leave is a common compliance error.
Ignoring Collective Agreements
Swedish employment law relies heavily on collective agreements. An employee covered by a collective agreement has additional entitlements beyond what the law requires.
Forgetting Half-Days
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are often treated as half-days. Check your collective agreement for the specific rules.
Incorrect Pay Calculations
Using the wrong divisor or base can result in incorrect daily pay calculations for hourly employees.
Key Takeaways
- Sweden observes 13-16 red days each year — all are governed by law and collective agreements
- Fixed salary employees receive regular pay for public holidays
- Public holidays during annual leave extend the leave period (only red days count)
- Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are often treated as half-days
- Collective agreements significantly affect holiday entitlements and premium pay
- Midsummer is Sweden’s most important traditional holiday — plan for reduced productivity
Managing Swedish public holidays — especially the half-day rules and collective agreement variations — requires careful tracking. Leave Balance automates holiday calendars so you never miss an entitlement.