What are the Parental Leave Benefits in Sweden?

Sweden offers one of the most generous and flexible parental leave systems in the world, supporting families during the early years of their child's life. The system allows parents to take substantial time off work following the birth or adoption of a child. This leave can be shared between parents and is designed to provide both financial support and bonding time with the child.

Who is Eligible?

In Sweden, all employees, regardless of their type of employment contract, are eligible for parental leave if they have recently become parents, whether through birth, adoption, or gaining custody of a child. Both biological and adoptive parents are covered by this benefit.

Duration of Parental Leave

Sweden’s parental leave policy allows for up to 480 days of leave per child. This leave is highly flexible and can be divided between parents. The key features include:

240 days per parent: Each parent is entitled to 240 days of leave.
Minimum of 90 days per parent: Out of the 240 days, 90 days are reserved for each parent and cannot be transferred to the other.
Flexibility: Leave can be taken full-time, part-time, or in blocks until the child turns 8 years old or completes the first year of school.

How is Parental Leave Paid?

The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) is responsible for administering parental leave payments. The benefit is calculated based on the employee's income and is disbursed as follows:

80% of income for 390 days: For 390 days, parents receive approximately 80% of their income, up to a specified ceiling.
Flat-rate payment for 90 days: The remaining 90 days are compensated with a lower flat-rate amount.

How to Apply for Parental Leave

To ensure a smooth application process, employees should follow these steps:

Inform Horizons:
- Notify Horizons at least two months before your planned parental leave or as soon as possible by applying for leave through the Horizons portal.
- Include the expected start date and duration of the leave in your notice.
Apply to Försäkringskassan:
- Register with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) if you haven’t already.
- Submit your application for parental benefits via their online portal. You will need to provide:
  - Your child’s birth or adoption certificate.
  - Your income details.
  - The desired period of leave.
Plan the Leave:
- Decide how to split the 480 days of leave between the parents.
- Determine whether to take leave simultaneously, alternately, or one after the other.
- Choose whether to take leave full-time or part-time.

Who Pays the Employee During Parental Leave?

Parental leave benefits are paid directly by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). Employers are not obligated to pay employees during their parental leave, though some companies may offer supplemental parental benefits as part of their employment contracts.

Additional Information

Parental Leave Combined with Work: In Sweden, parents can work part-time while receiving partial parental leave benefits, allowing for a gradual return to work.
Temporary Parental Leave: Parents have the right to temporary parental leave if their child falls ill, with this benefit also paid by Försäkringskassan.

For more detailed information, parents are encouraged to visit the Försäkringskassan website or contact their customer service for guidance.

In this article...

Sweden