Can my employer dismiss me in Sweden?
Only with a valid ground — either objective grounds (personal) or redundancy. Under the Employment Protection Act (LAS) you cannot be dismissed arbitrarily. The notice period from the employer is at least 1 month and rises with length of service to 6 months at 10 years. A probationary employment may last at most 6 months and can be ended by either side; if it is not ended, it converts into permanent employment. In redundancy the order of selection ("last in, first out") applies, but the employer may exempt up to 3 especially important people. And since 2022 comes the part that surprises most: employment ends at the end of the notice period even if you dispute the decision.
📋 The rules
- Dismissal needs objective grounds or redundancy
- Notice 1–6 months by length of service
- Probationary employment max 6 months
- Redundancy: order of selection, but 3-person exemption
- Since 2022: employment ends at notice's end despite a dispute
🔓 Exceptions
- Summary dismissal (gross misconduct) happens with no notice
- A fixed-term post converts to permanent after 12 months
- A collective agreement can fully replace the selection rules
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A dismissal without valid grounds can be annulled, with a right to back pay, and on top of that come standardised damages that rise with length of service and can be very large. But the 2022 reform shifted the risk towards you: employment ends at the end of the notice period even if you dispute it, so you get no pay during the process and are left on unemployment benefit while the Labour Court hears the case. With summary dismissal for gross misconduct there is no notice period at all, and a probationary employment can be ended by either side at any point.
📎 Official sources
- Employment Protection Act (1982:80) · Riksdagen →
- Verksamt.se · Ending employment →
- Public Employment Service · If you are dismissed →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I be dismissed without reason?
No. The employer needs objective grounds (personal) or redundancy, and arbitrary dismissal is not allowed. A dismissal without valid grounds can be annulled, ultimately by the Labour Court.
How long is the notice period?
At least 1 month from the employer, rising with length of service up to 6 months at 10 years of employment. During the notice period the employment simply continues as normal, with pay.
How long can a probationary period last?
At most 6 months. If it is not ended before then it converts into permanent employment, and during the trial period either side can end it. A fixed-term post converts to permanent after 12 months.
What does order of selection mean?
In redundancy, "last in, first out" applies by length of service. The employer may exempt up to 3 especially important people, and a collective agreement can replace the selection rules entirely.
Do I get pay during a dismissal dispute?
No. Since 2022 employment ends at the end of the notice period even if you dispute it, so during the process you are on unemployment benefit. If you win, you can get back pay plus damages.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can my employer dismiss me sweden”
- “notice period las table”
- “objective grounds dismissal sweden”
- “probationary employment 6 months”
- “order of selection 3 person exemption”
- “las 2022 reform”