Swedish government wants to make firing workers easier

Sweden's government wants to make it easier for companies to fire groups of workers by changing how far in advance employers must notify Arbetsförmedlingen before employees leave.

Under current rules, employers planning cuts affecting at least five permanent staff must warn the agency two months before the first departure. The deadline rises to four months for 26 to 100 workers and six months for more than 100.

The government order asks Arbetsförmedlingen to review those time limits and propose changes that make the process easier and more efficient for employers, simplify agency handling and cut administrative costs. Its final report is due on 31 March 2027.

Labour Minister Johan Britz told SvD shorter warning periods could be one result. Such a change could remove a timing barrier for larger redundancy rounds, but the government has not yet presented a bill or fixed new deadlines.

The review does not rewrite the legal grounds for dismissing an individual or their contractual and statutory notice periods. Arbetsförmedlingen says its warning timetable is separate from notice under the Employment Protection Act, known as LAS.

For work-permit holders, losing a job can also affect residence status. The Migration Agency says a dismissed person may remain in Sweden to seek work for up to three months after their last working day, provided the permit remains valid.

Sources: the Swedish government, Arbetsförmedlingen, the Swedish Migration Agency and Svenska Dagbladet. Reporting checked on 31 July 2026.

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