What are the wages for consultants in Denmark?

The basic salary for Danish doctors is regulated nationally according to a given pay-scheme. In addition to the basic salary, doctors are entitled to individual salary negotiations with their employer based on their individual merits and local demand. The employer also covers pension and holiday. In addition, a majority of the Danish specialists work extra hours or have additional duties (Association of Danish Specialist Doctors).

The Association of Danish Consultants offer a very comprehensive website that outlines the exact pay scale and salary levels for Danish specialist doctors:
www.fas.dk (general)
www.dadlnet.dk/fas/open/index.htm (salary levels)

Doctors recruited through Paragona are entitled to the same salary levels as their Danish colleagues. However, pending Danish authorization, in most cases the Paragona doctors will start on the level of so called "Afdelningslæge". Later, the Paragona doctors can be employed as "Overlæge".

The basic salary per month:

Afdelingslæge: 44.842,86 kr.
Overlæge: 51.857,67 kr.

In addition a pension fund is paid monthly:

Afdelingslæge: 7,228,67 kr.
Overlæge: 8359,45kr.

Please see question 4 and 10 for answers on additional benefits.

What are the taxes for consultants in Denmark?

This of course depends on the overall financial situation of the individual (loans, extra income, etc). However, a general benchmark for income tax for high earners (which doctors are) is approximately 50%. Although this may seem extremely high, one must keep in mind that Denmark is a well developed welfare state and that all schools, hospitals services, etc are for free. There are private alternatives, but the public system is commonly used and has a good reputation. Therefore, when judging the seemingly high tax levels, they should be viewed in light of how many services are included.

What is the cost of living in Denmark?

The cost of living does not vary dramatically within Denmark. The exception is the capital, Copenhagen, which is generally more expensive than the rest of the country. Housing costs will vary, naturally, also depending on if they will be public or private contracts. Aside from Copenhagen, it is reasonable to assume that a nice house/apartment can be rented at DKK 4000 per month. Prices of food are, again, relatively similar in Denmark. The exception is Copenhagen, where prices of food are generally higher.

How many hours is a "normal job", on call duties, payments for on call, free time as a compensation for on call?

The average normal working week is 37 hours. It is important to stress that this average is an average and that certain periods will be more or less busy and any overtime must be agreed with the head of the clinic in advance. There are of course local variations as far as scheduling doctors.

On-call duty is included in the normal working week. Additional duties vary very much depending on specialty and department. Benchmarks are very difficult to give, but minimum a few on-call duties per month is reasonable to assume. The extra pay for on-call duty for specialists in Denmark:

Afdelingslæge: Estimated to 2.000 kr. pr. month in average
Overlæge: 1.509 kr. pr. duty on weekdays, 2.058 kr. pr. duty on week-ends and holidays like for instance Christmas and Easter.

On-call duty is usually compensated by time off-duty. If that is not possible, extra compensation is paid by the employer. The basic pay for such duties are stipulated nationally and can be found on the Association of Danish Consultants homepage: www.fas.dk

Where do I find more information about my future employers and the Danish Healthcare system?

Once you have passed the selection and interviews with Paragona and the end client in Denmark, you will be given a mentor for professional questions and a contact person for administrative issues. Being that there will be differences between the individual practices in the different counties, each contact person may have slightly different information that is relevant for that particular area.

There are at least three "formal" parts of learning more about the employers and the Danish Healthcare system:

1. During the recruitment process
2. During the on-campus based training (guest speakers and various projects)
3. Visits to Denmark with families during the latter part of the training.

The Danish counties are undergoing one of the largest reforms in modern Danish history. A few sites can give general information:

1. On Denmark: www.danmark.dk, www.visitdenmark.com
2. On the Danish regions and the healthcare system:
www.regions.dk
3. Danish Medical Association: www.laegeforeningen.dk or www.dadl.dk
4. Udlændingestyrelsen: udlst.dk

Who do I report to and what are the structures inside hospitals? What is a position of a consultant?

The consultant reports to a so called "Ledende overlæge" which is the medically responsible person in the department. There could also be a head of department.

Generally, the role of the consultant is a senior one. As a specialist, the consultant is of course expected to be a very competent clinical doctor, team player and lead by example.

Who will be responsible for the department?

The Head of Department is usually called: "Ledende overlæge".

What is the position of the nurses?

Nurses in the Scandinavian countries are very independent and often enjoy a high status in the hospital. This is true for Denmark. Many doctors that have a non-Scandinavian background stress that this is a major difference between Scandinavian (Danish) healthcare and their earlier.

What are my career possibilities- , research, experiments & further professional education?

As far as career opportunities, the Paragona recruited doctors will have access to the same career paths as any Danish doctor: based on merit.

Research is very much encouraged. In some practices, the doctor is contractually obliged to spend a certain amount of time on research. But this will very much depend on the practice and partnering healthcare institution.

Often hospitals arrange various types of trainings and professional development opportunities. Depending on the size of the practice, history and policy this will vary between each employer.

Social benefits at work - length of holiday, retirement benefits, etc?

Employees in Denmark earn the right to take paid holidays. One earns the right to 2,08 days paid holiday and 0,42 additional paid day off pr. month. In one year from the 1st of January to the 31st of December one earns 25 days paid holiday and 5 additional days off. If one only works a part of the year, paid holidays are earned proportionally.

You can take the earned paid holidays and the additional paid days off from the 1st of May in the oncoming year to the 30th of April in the third year. The additional days can be changed into salary.

Formally the employer decides who takes holiday and when, but in practice this is done in cooperation with each doctor. Holidays usually are no problem to schedule.

As for pensions, this has been the subject of various changes over the years and may be structured slightly differently in the different hospitals (depending on which system they spring from). However the standard answer is that the employer pays 16,12% pension. The actual percentage amounts can be calculated slightly differently, but should add up to that amount all across Denmark.

Will my children have day care?

The local authority provides day nursery and nursery schools for children. Parents who use day care for children will be charged.

Can I bring my car?

For a certain period of time (usually 6 months) this is not a problem. There are some restrictions on certain vehicles. More specific information is available on request.

Can I bring my pet?

Please visit the link below:

www.uk.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/Animal/Travelling_with_pet_animals/forside.htm

Will my family and I get access to French healthcare?

To understand how the French health care system works one first has to take a look at the French health insurance system. This insurance is financed by employer and employee contributions as well as personal income taxes and permits 96% of the population to access entirely free health care. The insurance also gives French residents the right to choose from diverse health providers like general doctors, specialists, public or private hospitals and still reimburse patients, to a fixed rate for different procedures. On top of the State's health insurance, 80% of the French population is also possesses a private supplemental insurance often covered by the employer. This insurance covers extra costs above the fixed rates by the state for specific treatments.
The health insurance is provided by the government to three major groups of the population: salaried workers and their families, farmers, and artists and business professionals. The types of expenditures by the government include general practitioners' fees, specialists' fees, medical prescriptions, public hospitals, private clinics, nursing professionals and sanitary transportation.
The Ministry of health organizes the French health system through central, regional and departmental services under two major organizations: General Health Management and Hospital and Healthcare Management.
For more information on health insurance: www.ameli.fr

How can I calculate my income taxes and social fees?

Salaries for hospital doctors are fixed by a national grid according to seniority and tasks. The employer covers part of the payments to pension funds and holydays. Before receiving your salary the employer will provide a statement of earnings and deductions from which you will be able to see your gross earnings and the social fees paid by both your employer and yourself. Your social fees will be deducted from your gross salary (net income= gross income-social fees). As an employee one can approximately count a deduction of 20% from your gross income to social fees. After paying your social fees you will also have to pay your income taxes on the net income. This tax varies depending on your income, your family situation etc. and you can simulate your tax payments on www.impots.gouv.fr (usually the amount is roughly one gross income/year)

Will I get mentorship and help during my initial period at work?

Paragona and the hospitals we work with organize together a mentorship, usually led by the head of department, to ensure that the initial working period and initiation to the new environment occurs as smoothly as possible. This mentorship is put in place after individual needs and will terminate when both the foreign doctors and the hospitals feel that it is time to work independently.

What about housing?

Most of the French hospitals will offer initial housing to new doctors and the period varies in accordance with individual needs, usually between 3 months to one year. While you live in a temporary housing provided by the hospital, you will be able to calmly look for a long term housing. More information can be found under "Moving to France".

Is there a possibility to do the specialization? In which area?

 Yes, the applicant will sign an employment-contract which includes the specialist-training for the
chosen discipline. The aim is to pass the specialization test after a certain period. The applicant can choose the specialization himself.

What kind of specializations are available for the doctors?

- Neurology
- Diabetology
- Internal Medicine (Gastroenterology and Cardiology)
- General-, Visceral- and Vascular-Surgery
- Trauma-surgery and Orthopaedics
- Urology
- Paediatrics
- Anaesthesiology and Intensive-care
- Radiology and Nuclear-medicine

How long will a specialisation last approximately?

The regular time for specialisation will be nearly 6 years but it depends on the different
medical speciality.

Is there any introduction period to the specialization?

The introduction period belongs to the discipline and is quiet different to the departments. It
will be fixed in the training time.

Is there a possibility of continuing a specialization in Germany?

It is possible to continue the specialization training in Germany but it depends on the training
and job experience the applicant have made in his origin country.

Do I have to pass a final exam to be a specialist doctor?

After the training period there will be an examination by the competent medical association.
This diploma will allow the applicants to bear this title in the EU-States and in the most
parts of the world.

Will I be able to attend additional training courses, and if so approximately how many per year I would be permitted to attend?

The applicants have the possibility to take part at external training courses if these courses
are accepted for specialisation training and will support the education. The number of the
courses the applicants can attend depends on the specialisation they do.

Can I work extra hours if I want to?

Doctors can work additional hours which will be paid separately.

Do I have to work extra hours?

Yes, but these situations are rare. If overtime work is necessary, the medical doctor always does his best to let the doctor make the decision. If a doctor is performing treatment of a patient, which is taking more time but which needs to be completed, then overtime work may turn out to be necessary.

What is the remuneration/salary for working extra hours?

Extra hours will be paid with an extra charge of 15% referring to the normal income
calculated on the basis of one hour.

Is there a set amount of holiday accorded to employees?

Under the age of 30 you are entitled to 26 days of paid holiday.
Over the age of 40 you are entitled to 29 days of paid holiday.
Over the age of 40 you are entitled to 30 days of paid holiday.

What is the tax scale?

The initial tax rate since 2005 is 15 % and can rise up to 42 % depending on income.

Will I have the right to retirement? What is the amount of retirement insurance premium?

In Germany there is a compulsory contribution for pension insurance. The
complete contribution, calculated by the gross income is 19,9% at this time. One half of this
contribution is covered by the employer and the other half is to be paid by the employee.

Will I have social security insurance and health insurance?

Yes, there is a universal social security insurance and health care system, the employer take the cost of 50% of it.

Does the insurance cover my family members as well?

Yes. The general insurance covers your family as well.

Will I be paid during illness?

Yes. First six months it will be 100% of the monthly income and after six months it will be reduced to 60 - 70 % of monthly income.

How long is maternity leave? Do I have to work while I am pregnant? If so, how many hours? If not, what will be the amount of my salary?

The maternity leave lasts 14 weeks: it begins 6 weeks before the birth date and finishes 8 weeks after it. During this time the employee will get 100% from the net monthly income. After these 14 weeks starts the parental leave which lasts 10 months. During this period the employee will get 67% from the average net monthly income.
Some kind of jobs (e.g. in radiology department or night shifts) are excluded for pregnant woman by law. In such case employer has to look for another similar job till the beginning of maternity leave.

Are there any social benefits for families with children?

The employee will get from the state a monthly amount per child (164,00 €).

Will a spouse have the right to work?

Yes

Will I receive help in finding a place to live?

Doctors can rent a flat in the residencies near hospital. Otherwise the employer will help the applicants to find a flat nearby.

Will I receive help in finding a job for my partner?

There are employment agencies which help in finding a suitable job.

Will my partner receive a social benefit, if he/she does not start a job?

If your partner stays at home without working or studying, he/she will not receive many special privileges

Does the employer offer any relocation money?

Removal costs are covered by the employer up to 2.000 €.

Will I get any assistance with finding school/nursery for my children?

The employer and the local authorities will help to find a suitable school and place in a
kindergarten.

Will I have to pay for the school/nursery for my children?

Visiting regular schools in Germany is free of charge.
For children which will spend 25 hours a week in the Kindergarten they applicants have to calculate
the following costs: children younger than 2 years: 200,00 € per month, children older than 3 years 120,00 € per month.

What is the cost of living in Germany?

Costs for one person:
Rent incl. utilities and common charges: 300,00 € (Single-Room-Flat) - 700 €(Four-Room-House)
Food: around 200,00 €
Clothing, personal hygiene: around 100,00 €
Car: around 200,00 €
Public transport: 30,00 €
Insurances: 80,00 €
Telefon, Internet, Radio, TV: 75,00 €

What is the remuneration for specialist doctors in Norway?

The employment will start with a trial period of 6 months. During this trial period, a doctor is offered an initial annual base salary of minimum NOK 520 000. If a doctor is able and willing to participate more in the service plan and on-call schedule of the department, the salary will increase in accordance with the general praxis used by the employing hospital for doctors currently employed by the hospital.

With the base salary stipulated above, and a service plan of approximately the same scope as that of the doctors at the employing department, an annual gross salary of about NOK 750 000 - 850 000 can be expected.

How long is the contract?

The contract is based upon permanent employment. Mutual contractual period of termination is 3 months. However, it is a firm process governed by Norwegian Law if the company for any reason will terminate the contract. All hospitals are part of the national agreement for a lot of employees benefits. There are also an additional local agreements. All necessary information and agreements will be translated into English.

"Organisation and membership
The Norwegian Medical Association (NMA), founded in 1886 as the professional association and trade union for Norwegian physicians, has a total of more than 23,000 members (see Statistics and Research on physicians in Norway for up to date details). Membership is voluntary, but approximately 96% of Norwegian physicians are members of the NMA. The main aims of the Association are to protect the professional, social and financial interests of its members, to promote their interests in matters concerning medical education, professional development and scientific activities, and to advance the quality of the Norwegian health care system."

What are my career possibilities?

There are great career possibilities in each hospital and in the region. We have established a national management programme, as well as a regional management program. Furthermore, the agreement gives all doctors a right to a 4 months free time each 5 year paid time off.

Will I be able to attend additional training courses, and if so approximately how many per year would I be permitted to attend?

The members of The Norwegian Medical Association organize different training courses. In additional there are international congresses. There are no rules in hospitals how much each doctors is taking part in this. It is each department's need which regulates participating.

Can I work extra hours if I want to?

Mostly each department in hospital has established on call duty. Mostly all doctors in those departments take part in this duty. In order to established on call duty the hospital doctor works in needs to agree with each employee to work more than normal hours. These hours can be paid off or taken out in spare time. Normally, it is a combination.

Can the employer force me to work extra hours?

The employee does not have any obligation to work extra time beyond the agreements and the Norwegian Legislation.

What is the remuneration/salary for working extra hours?

It depends on the salary but for the moment it is at least NKR 422 pr hours.

Do I need professional liability insurance and if so how much would it cost?
No. Hospitals have is governed by a national public liability insurance.

Is there any social insurance included in the contract?

Compulsorily insured under the National Insurance Scheme are all persons who are either resident or working as employees in Norway. In additional the national agreement between The Norwegian Medical Association and the employers includes additional insurances, both for pension plan, accident, death.

How much will I have to pay for the insurance or is this covered by the employer?

The National Insurance Scheme is financed by contributions from employees and employers' contributions and contributions from the state by the monthly taxation paid by all employees. Contribution rates and state grants are decided by the Parliament. The hospital have an additional pension scheme for all employees. Contribution from employees is 2% of income up to NOK 801.744. The hospitals pay the additional cost.

Contributions from employees and self-employed persons are calculated on the basis of pensionable income. Contributions on pensionable income are not paid on income less than NOK 39 600. The contributions shall not exceed 25 per cent of income exceeding this threshold amount.

Cash benefits in the case of sickness, maternity and unemployment are taken into account as pensionable income. The same applies to rehabilitation allowance, vocational rehabilitation allowance and time limited disability benefit.

The contribution rate for employees is 7, 8 per cent of the pensionable income.

The employers' contribution is assessed as a percentage of paid out wages. The employers' contributions are differentiated to where the enterprises are established. There are regional zones based on geographical situation and level of economic development.

Does the insurance cover my family?
Look at question 8.

What kind of social benefits can I expect? Are there any social benefits for families with children?
All insured persons are granted free accommodation and treatment, including medicines, in hospitals. This follows from the provisions of the Act on Specialist Health Care and the Act on mental Health Care.

The patient has to pay a share of the cost of treatment by a general practitioner or a specialist outside hospital, for treatment by psychologist, for prescriptions of important drugs and for transportation expenses in connection with examination or treatment. The municipality, the regional health authority and/or the National Insurance cover the main part of the expenses.

Children under the age of 12 are exempted from cost-sharing for treatment given by physician or physiotherapist, important medicaments and travel expenses. Children under the age of 18 are exempted from cost sharing for psychotherapy and dental treatment.

There is a cost-sharing limit for expenses related to treatment by physicians and psychologists, important drugs and transportation expenses related to examination and treatment. After the limit has been reached, a card is issued giving entitlement to free treatment and benefits as mentioned for the rest of the calendar year. The limit is fixed by the Parliament for one year at a time, and for 2007 it is fixed to NOK 1 660. Cost-sharing amounts for children under the age of 16 are added to those of parent in order to reach the limit.

There is some shortage in kindergartens in Førde. We can probably help some of this in our own kindergartens. The possibilities will be better from 15. August 2008.

The prize for one kindergarten child is NOK 2330. In addition for food NOK 220.

If my spouse does not work can he/she expect any social benefits?
Due to Care for a Sick Child etc. An insured employee who is absent from work due necessary care for a sick child, is entitled to daily cash benefits up to ten days, or fifteen days if there are more than two children, during a calendar year. Single parents are entitled to such benefits up to 20 days, or 30 days if there are more than two children, during a calendar year. Parents may receive such benefits up to and including the year of the child's 12th birthday.

Will I get remuneration if I'm sick? If so, how much will it be?
An insured person who has an annual income is entitled to daily cash benefits in the case of sickness if he/she is incapable of working due sickness. It is, as a general rule, required that the occupational activity has lasted for at least 4 weeks.

Daily cash benefits for employees equal 100 per cent of pensionable income, and are paid from the first day of sickness for a period of 260 days (52 weeks). Daily cash benefits in the case of sickness are paid by the employer for the first 16 calendar days, and thereafter by the National Insurance Scheme. During the period in which daily cash benefits are paid by the employer, no minimum income level is required.

The agreement for physicians covers sickness for a 12 months period.

What is the law concerning maternity leave? Will I be entitled to any benefits? Do I have to work during pregnancy? Are the working hours the same? If no will my salary be decreased?

Pregnancy benefits: An employee who, according to law, has to refrain from working
for a certain period prior to confinement due to hazardous working conditions/environment, is entitled to pregnancy benefits from the time she stops working, without reducing the entitlement to paid leave after confinement. Also self-employed persons are entitled to pregnancy benefits.

Parental benefits: Insured parents who have been in paid employment for six out of ten months preceding the commencement of the period of paid leave, are entitled to daily cash benefits in the case of maternity and adoption a child below the age of 15.

The parental benefit period is, in case of maternity, 44 weeks equal daily cash benefits in the case of sickness (100 per cent of covered earnings). The period of paid leave may, upon preference, be prolonged to 54 weeks combined with a reduced compensation rate (80 per cent of covered earnings).

In the case of multiple births, the parent are entitled, to full, daily cash benefits for five more weeks (seven weeks with reduced rate) for each child exceeding the first.

The mother must make use of three weeks of the benefit period prior to confinement. It is also required that the mother takes at least six weeks leave immediately following confinement.

Six weeks of the benefit period are reserved for the father (father's quota).

The remaining period may the parents share between them. The condition for granting daily cash benefits to the father is that he stays at home to take care of the child. This means that the mother have to go out to work, take a full-time, publicly approved education or combine work and approved education which together equal full time. The father is also entitled to parental benefits if the mother is unable to look after the child owing to illness or injury or admission to a health institution.

Parental benefits may be combined with reduced working hours. The benefit is then reduced, but the benefit period is extended. The total size of the parental benefit remains the same. It is required that employees and employers enter into a written agreement which regulates the part-time work. Both the mother and the father can make use of this possibility. Also the father's quota may be included. Only the weeks reserved for the mother (three weeks prior to and six weeks immediately after the delivery) are excluded.

The parental benefit period may be postponed if the parent works full time.

The parental benefits have to be used within the child is 3 years old.

What is the tax scale?
Taxes are calculated based on a table depending on your income as well as any loans and interest paid related to your loans. In general tax on base salary varies between 36% to 48%.

Will I be entitled to any pension scheme? If so, what is the pension scheme?
Persons, who are insured for pension purposes and who have a total insurance period of trhree years between the age of 16 and the year they become 66, are entiteld to a basic pension. The condition of present insurance affiliation does not apply to persons who have been insured for at least 20 year or are entitled to a supplementary pension.

The basic pension is calculated on the basis of the insurance period, and is independent of previous income and contributions paid. A full basic pension requires an insurance period of minimum 40 years. If the insurance period is shorter, the basic pension will be proportionally reduced. For persons who are not insured for pension purposes and who have less than 20 years of insurance (based on residence periods etc.), the basic pension is calculated on the basis of the same number of years as the supplementary pension.

What percentage of my salary goes towards the pension scheme?

See answer 9.

Apart from tax and pension are there any costs that are deducted from my salary?

No. (Eventually membership in The Norwegian Medical Association)

What is the period of notice of the contract for each part ?

Termination of contract with each employer is 1 month during the first 6 month
(bilateral test period). Later it is 3 month.

What happens if one of the part terminates the contract? Are there any consequences?

The employee has to stay in the hospital 3 months after termination of the contract.

Is there a set amount of holiday accorded to employees?

Employers shall ensure that employees have 25 working days each holiday year.

An employee who takes up a post no later than 30 September in a holiday year is entitled to full holidays. An employee who takes up a post at a later date is entitled to holidays of 6 working days.

Holiday pay from an employer is calculated on the basis of wages paid in the qualifying year.

Does the amount of holiday depend on anything, eg. age or the years one has worked?

Employees who reach the age of 60 before 1 September in a holiday year shall be given 6 working days' extra holiday. If extra holiday is divided up, the employee may only demand working days off as he normally works in a week.

What sort of amount should I expect to pay per month for accommodation, food, electricity, water etc.?

It's hard to say. To rent an apartment will cost between NOK 4.500-8.000 (water etc included) depends on area, size, availability, etc. Electricity will vary with time of year, the rate of the power station, but somewhere around NOK 15.000 - 25.000 per year for an average household give and take.
Again expenses for food will also vary with household, but somewhere around NOK 5.000 - 10.000 per month would be a good estimate for an average household. Depends on how many people three are in the household

Will I have to pay for the school/nursery for my children?

Nursery you have to pay for. Primary school is free in Norway. Secondary school is also free, but the students have to pay for the books. The costs of books are around NOK 5000 a year. In vocational school the costs of books are less, but there will be some costs in personal equipment.

Can I bring my pets or my car with me?

If you are resident abroad, you may use a foreign-registered motor vehicle in Norway. This applies to persons who are temporarily employed I Norway, and to persons who commute between a place of work in Norway and their place of residence abroad.

Look at www.toll.no for more information.

Import of pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) to Norway is regulated to prevent introduction of diseases. To travel with pets from Norway you have to consider the regulations set by the country of your destination.

Look www.mattilsynet.no/english/import_export at for more information.

Will additional medical examinations or vaccinations be required after signing the contract? If so, where will they be conducted?

Yes. The employer carries out medical examinations of newly employed personnel in connection with their arrival in Sweden. Tests include possible MRSA exposure and verification whether vaccination against viral hepatitis B was performed. If the candidate was previously not vaccinated against viral hepatitis B, the vaccination is performed. Generally, the examination is supposed to check your general health condition and determine whether you may work as a doctor.

How long is maternity pay? Will I receive a family benefit? Do I have to work while I am pregnant? If so, how many hours? If not, what will be the amount of my pay?

Maternity leave for the mother/father:
The pay which is due in this case, similar to sick leave, it is also lower than your regular pay.

Parental benefit during pregnancy:
You are entitled to receive a parental benefit for the total of 480 days. If you and the child's parents take care of the child together, then you are entitled to receive half of the above number of days. During pregnancy, you may receive a parental allowance starting from the 60th day prior to the due date of childbirth. The parental benefit may be received at 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 12.5%. That means that you are allowed to shorten the time of work or go on holiday from the 60th day (inclusive) prior to the estimated due date of childbirth.
You are entitled to receive the parental benefit if, during pregnancy, you experience ailments such as, among others, symptoms of tiredness, swollen legs, general heaviness and back pain. Such health problems are experienced by many women during the last months of pregnancy and the objective of the parental benefit is to let women stay at home during the most difficult period of pregnancy.

Sick leave during pregnancy
Pregnancy may not be treated as an illness. Of course, while pregnant you are entitled to receive sick leave if illness reduces your ability to work by at least 25%.
It is unimportant how many days are left until estimated due date of childbirth. However, it will be difficult to determine whether ailments during pregnancy are so troublesome that they may be qualified as illness. This is quite a frequent issue in case of pregnant women. In each case, individual examinations are carried out to determine if the pregnant woman is entitled to receive the sick leave. Both the physician and the insurance institution treat each case on an individual basis.

Childbirth
In connection with childbirth, the father or mother of the child may receive 10 days of holiday, for which they will receive remuneration in the form of a one-time parental benefit. The holiday may be taken by the 60th day after the date of the child's discharge from hospital (inclusive), and the child's mother may be receiving the parental benefit at the same time. While receiving the parental benefit, you are not supposed to work. In case of giving birth to twins, you are entitled to receive 20 days of holiday.
In certain circumstances, another person who stops paid work in connection with the child's birth may receive the benefit. The amount of parental benefit depends on the amount of salary constituting the basis for determination of the due amount.

The parental benefit partly compensates the loss of income in connection with the child's birth and work interruption, and it is payable for the total of 450 days. The parental benefit is treated in the same manner as all other kinds of income and it is included in the number of years of work. During the last 60 days of receiving the benefit, its amount is lower.

When the child is ill

One-time parental benefit
If you cannot go to work because you must stay at home and take care of an ill child who is not 12 years old yet, you are then entitled to receive a one-time parental benefit. The above also concerns a situation when the person who usually takes care of the child, e.g. the nanny, is ill.
In case of the child's visit at a doctor's surgery or at a children's clinic, you may also receive a one-time parental benefit. You can choose the benefit at 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% or 12.5%. If the child's illness lasts longer than 7 days, on the 8th calendar day a sick note issued by a physician or a nurse is required. Similar requirements apply in case of the nanny's illness - from the 8th calendar day the illness ought to be confirmed by means of a sick note/medical opinion. In the period of obtaining the parental benefit, you are entitled to be exempted from work. In a year, parents may receive the benefit for the total of 60 days per child. After expiry of the 60-day period, the benefit may still be paid out for maximum 60 days per year per child. The additional 50 days may not be granted in case of an ordinary illness or infection.

Will I have the right to retirement?

The normal retirement age in Sweden is 65, and you have the right both to retirement in compliance with general terms, and to separate retirement. You may decide to retire at a younger age, but in that case your retirement pay will be lower.

What is the amount of retirement insurance premium?

You will not pay any retirement insurance premiums from your salary; they are covered by your employer. You may also decide to join an additional private retirement scheme and you may deduct the collected amount from the tax. You will pay tax on that amount later, once you retire.

Will my partner receive a social benefit, if he/she does not start a job?

There is a possibility to study, then your partner will receive a benefit and he/she will have the right to receive a loan for the period of study. For the husband/wife/partner there is a possibility of free of charge Swedish language courses (SFI). If your partner stays at home without working or studying, he/she will not receive many special privileges.

Will I receive a family benefit?

Yes. For each child you are entitled to receive a benefit of 1050 crowns. If you have two or more children, you receive an additional benefit (benefit for large families). School attendance is obligatory for all children and education is completely free of charge. Moreover, children receive free of charge lunch at school.