Paternity Leave in Sweden
In Sweden the other parent gets 10 compensated days around the birth, on top of the 480 days of parental benefit shared by the family.
Last updated: 13 November 2026
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Sweden paternity leave at a glance
The non-birthing parent can take 10 compensated days off work in connection with the birth.
- Leave length
- 10 days of temporary parental benefit (20 for twins).
- When to take it
- From the start of labour until 60 days after the child comes home from hospital. Apply within 30 days of the first day at home with the child.
- Pay
- Försäkringskassan pays just under 80% of your usual income, up to an income ceiling of SEK 444,000 a year in 2026.
- Who qualifies
- Be insured in Sweden, stop working to care for the child, and normally be the legally established non-birthing parent.
- Self-employed fathers
- Check with Försäkringskassan how the 10 days apply to your business income.
Parental leave on top of paternity leave
Parental benefit gives 480 days per child; with two parents, each gets 240 days, including 90 days that cannot be transferred.
Good to know
- Days can be taken as 75%, 50%, 25% or 12.5% portions.
- The calculator converts 10 working days to 14 calendar days.
Legal entitlement vs employer benefits
The rules above are the legal minimum in Sweden. Many employers offer extra paid days or top up statutory pay. Add any employer leave in the calculator above to see your real return-to-work date, and confirm the details with your HR team. To compare pay over the weeks you take off, try the paternity pay calculator.
Other European guides
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Editorial note: we summarise official government guidance and link to it. Laws change — always confirm your entitlement with your employer or the relevant authority. This page is not legal advice.