Parental leave and child benefits in Sweden (2026)

The 480 days

• 480 days per child (twins 660), shared between the parents; a single parent with sole custody gets all 480.
• 90 days are reserved for each parent and can't be transferred to the other; the rest can.
• Double days: both parents can take benefit on the same day for up to 60 days during the child's first 15 months.
• Giving days away: since July 2024 each parent can transfer up to 45 days (90 for a sole parent) to someone else, such as a grandparent, who is insured in Sweden.
• Age limit: days can be used until the child turns 12 or finishes year 5; only 96 days can be saved after the fourth birthday.
• Benefit can start 60 days before the expected birth. Apply on Mina sidor or in the app.

Source: Försäkringskassan: parental benefit

What you get paid (2026)

The income-based amount is about 80% of your sickness-benefit-qualifying income (SGI), up to an income ceiling of 10 price base amounts (SEK 592,000 a year in 2026), which gives the maximum of SEK 1,259 a day. The first 180 days taken for a child must be at sickness-benefit level. Many employers top up parental pay under collective agreements; ask yours. Source: Försäkringskassan: föräldrapenning

Rules for newcomers

You must be insured in Sweden. Benefits that replace income usually require that you work here; residence-based benefits, such as child allowance and the basic and lowest parental-benefit levels, usually require that you live here. Citizenship doesn't matter, and you don't need a personnummer: Försäkringskassan can use a coordination number. It always checks first whether you are insured, so a first application after moving can take longer.

To be paid at the income-based level, you need a qualifying income (an SGI equal to at least SEK 7,083 a month) for at least 240 days before the expected birth. If you don't meet this, you get SEK 250 a day for the first 180 days. If you worked in another EU/EEA country, Switzerland or the UK, EU coordination rules decide which country pays. Source: Försäkringskassan: insured in Sweden

New qualification requirement from 1 January 2027

Sources: Försäkringskassan: qualification requirements (English) · Försäkringskassan: kvalificering (Swedish)

The 10 days at birth

The parent who didn't give birth gets 10 days of paid leave around the birth (20 for twins), paid at slightly under 80% of income up to 7.5 price base amounts. They can be taken until 60 days after the child comes home. Since 1 April 2026 you must apply within 30 days of the first day at home. If the birth parent is single, another close person can get the days. Source: Försäkringskassan: 10 days after birth

Care of a sick child (VAB)

Temporary parental benefit (VAB) is paid when you stay home with a sick child aged 8 months to 12 years, for up to 120 days per child a year, at slightly under 80% of income up to 7.5 price base amounts (SEK 444,000 a year in 2026). A doctor's certificate is needed from the eighth day. Since 1 April 2026 you must apply within 30 days. Sources: Försäkringskassan: VAB · Försäkringskassan: shorter application deadline

Child allowance (barnbidrag)

Child allowance is tax-free and paid until the child turns 16. Newcomers must report their move to Försäkringskassan (e-service or form 5456) before payments start, and can't get it while waiting for a residence-permit decision. Source: Försäkringskassan: child allowance

Your rights at work

• You may take full-time leave until the child is 18 months old, and longer while you take full parental benefit.
• You may work part-time (3/4, 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8) while taking the same share of parental benefit, and reduce your hours by up to a quarter without benefit until the child turns 8 or finishes the first school year.
• Give your employer at least two months' notice.
• Pregnant employees who can't work because the job is physically demanding or risky may get pregnancy benefit (graviditetspenning), up to SEK 944 a day. Source: Försäkringskassan: pregnancy benefit

Source: Parental Leave Act (1995:584)

Frequently asked questions