The rule: no statutory rate, set by collective agreement
Sweden has no statutory overtime pay rate. Statutory law does not specify a premium for overtime (övertid); compensation is determined by collective agreements, commonly time-and-a-half (1.5x) or double time (2x), and may be taken as pay or compensatory leave. Without a collective agreement or contractual term, there is no automatic entitlement to a special overtime rate.
What does apply by law
| Statutory overtime rate | None — set by agreement/contract |
| Typical collective-agreement rate | 1.5x to 2.0x |
| Overtime limit (Working Hours Act) | 50h/month, 200h/year |
Worked example
Enter your collective-agreement multiplier in the calculator above. At kr 200/hour with a 1.5x agreement, two overtime hours = 2 × 200 × 1.5 = kr 600; with double time, kr 800.
What the law does set
The Working Hours Act (Arbetstidslagen) caps general overtime at 48 hours over four weeks or 50 hours a month, and 200 hours a year. It governs how much overtime may be worked, not the pay rate. Pay disputes are resolved through the collective-bargaining system.
- Is there a statutory overtime rate in Sweden?
- No — overtime pay is set by collective agreements or your contract.
- What is a typical rate?
- Commonly 1.5x or 2x, payable as money or time off.
- How much overtime is allowed?
- Up to 50 hours a month and 200 hours a year under the Working Hours Act.
- What if I have no agreement?
- There is no automatic right to a premium rate unless it is agreed.