Parental leave and temporary leave for care of a sick child (vab)

Parental leave

New parents are entitled to parental leave until the child is one and a half years old. This applies whether or not the parent is receiving parental benefit. The right to parental leave starts from the employee's first day at work.

When an employee is on parental leave, they receive compensation from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, known as parental benefit. Under many collective agreements, the employee is also entitled to additional compensation, known as parental benefit supplement, that is paid through AFA Försäkring or parental pay that is paid by the employer. But even companies without a collective agreement can offer employees parental pay.

Parental leave insurance with AFA Försäkring (in Swedish)

Parents receive 480 days of parental leave for a child. These days can be taken in full or in part until the child reaches the age of 12 or has completed the fifth year of school.

Parents with joint custody are each entitled to half of the 480 days. Each parent has 90 days that are reserved specifically for them and cannot be transferred to the other parent. The parents can divide the remainder of the days between them as they see fit. Parents also have the right to reduce their working hours by up to a quarter of normal working hours. This right applies until the child is eight years old or has completed first grade.

From 1 July 2024, parents can hand over 45 days per parent and child of general parental allowance to someone else (other than the other parent) who cares for the child with parental allowance.

The non-pregnant parent is also entitled to ten days off with temporary parental benefit when a child is born.

Ten days of leave as a new parent at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (in Swedish)

Temporary parental benefit for care of a sick child (vab)

Employees with a sick child are entitled to time off from work with temporary parental benefit to care for the child (referred to as VAB).

The right to temporary parental benefit for care of a sick child applies until the child is 12 years old. For children between the ages of 12 and 16, parents may be entitled to temporary parental benefit for care of a child in certain cases.

Temporary parental benefit at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (in Swedish)

Pregnancy benefit

An employee whose work is physically demanding or there are risks in the work environment, can receive pregnancy benefit if she cannot be reassigned to other, less demanding duties during her pregnancy. An expectant mother is entitled to time off work while she is receiving pregnancy benefit from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. An employee may also be entitled to pregnancy benefit if she is unable to continue working because of risks in the working environment.

Pregnancy benefit at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (in Swedish)