Karensdagar

Karensdagar refers to days during a sickness absence when the insured person does not receive sickness benefits from the national social insurance system. The term is most often used in Sweden, where the first day of illness is traditionally a waiting day.

In practice, the day or days defined as karensdagar mean that no sickness compensation is paid by the public system. The employer’s responsibility to provide sick pay (sjuklön) typically covers an initial period, after which sickness benefits (sjukpenning) from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) may begin, subject to eligibility and income-based rules. The exact length of the waiting period and the levels of compensation have varied over time and can be influenced by collective agreements, employment status, and changes in policy.

Karensdagar are part of ongoing policy discussions about the balance between supporting people who are ill and providing incentives to return to work, as well as about the overall cost and sustainability of the social insurance system. Critics and supporters debate how waiting days affect vulnerable groups, such as those with chronic conditions or low income, and how reforms might impact access to sick leave benefits.

In relation to social protection, karensdagar should be understood as a mechanism within the broader sickness benefits framework, distinguishing between initial non-compensated days and subsequent compensation provided through public insurance. For current specifics, individuals should consult Försäkringskassan or their employer, as rules and amounts can change.