In Sweden, there is no statutory minimum wage, and instead, the labor market determines what the lowest wage should be. This differs from many other countries that have a statutory minimum wage.
Employer Collective Agreement
Normally, if an employer has a collective agreement, it is the labor market parties that negotiate a "lowest wage". Therefore, it is the employers and trade unions that set the level of the lowest wage and starting salary. The state is not involved in this, and since around 90% of wage earners have a collective agreement through their employer, the collective agreement sets the standard for the minimum wage in Sweden. This has not changed and will continue to apply in 2025.
Lack of Collective Agreement
When your employer does not have a collective agreement, it is up to the employer to offer a reasonable wage. Since there is no minimum wage by law and no collective agreement setting a standard, the wage can in principle be as low as possible, as long as the employee accepts the terms. Therefore, it can be important to ask about the existence of a collective agreement before taking a new job.
Read more: Victory for Sweden on minimum wages
