Family

Swedish society is very family-friendly, offering many benefits for families with children. In Stockholm partners and spouses to international staff are offered network possibilities. This facilitates achieving a healthy work–life balance.

Childcare services/ Preschool (förskola) in Sweden

Eligibility:

  • Available for all children from one year old.
  • Children must have a Swedish personal number or all family members must be EU citizens with employer/student certificates and proof of a future address.

Application Without a Personal Number:

  • you can still apply for pre-school without a personal number.
  • Include documents proving your work assignment and tenancy agreement (proof of a future address) in Sweden.
  • Add a letter explaining your situation.

Fees:

  • Parents pay a fee based on family income and the child’s attendance.
  • Maximum fee is  1,783 SEK/month in 2025. 

Contact your municipality to find out more about preschools in your area and to enroll your child. Use 'Translate' or 'Language' function on the following websites.

City of Stockholm 

City of Solna

Municipality of Huddinge  

Schools

Compulsory school is mandatory and is open to all children aged 6-16. It is composed of 1 preschool class and 9 school years. Each school year consists of a fall and spring semester.

Upper secondary school is for young people aged 16-20. The school is free, non-compulsory schooling that young people can choose after completing compulsory school. Upper secondary consists of national programmes, specially designed programmes and individual programmes.

Contact your municipality to find out more about schools in your area and to enroll your child. Use 'Translate' or 'Language' function on the following websites:

City of Stockholm

City of Solna 

Municipality of Huddinge

Network for spouses and partners

Stockholm Dual Career Network (SDCN) is a community exclusively for the accompanying partners of international employees. SDCN membership includes professional networks, social activities, and comprehensive career support. The 5-week SDCN Academy: Unlock Sweden program helps participants settle in Stockholm, find friends, and navigate their new environment. Free of charge for partners of KI researchers.
More information and registration at SDCN homepage

Parental leave and benefits in Sweden

Sweden offers one of the most generous parental leave systems in the world. You need to be registered with Försäkringskassan and qualify for the benefits. 

Parental Leave Entitlement:

  • You have the right to be on full leave from work until your child is 18 months old. Apply for parental leave at least two months in advance, see Parental leave
  • Employees can take part-time leave until the child turns 12 years old, with or without parental benefit from Försäkringskassan.

Parental Benefit:

  • This is money you receive to stay home with your child instead of working, seeking work, or studying. Parents are granted 480 days of leave per child. Of these, 390 days are income-based, and 90 days are at a minimum level. The cost of parental benefits is covered by Försäkringskassan, not your employer.
  • Parental leave pay from KI consists of 10% of the salary. 

Child Allowance:

  • Children living in Sweden receive a child allowance (barnbidrag) starting the month after their birth. This allowance is paid until the child turns 16. 

Care of a sick child (vab):

  • In Sweden, parents can receive compensation for taking care of a sick child through a system called vård av barn (VAB). 

Scholarships and Parental Leave:

If you have a scholarship from KI, you can retain it during illness or parental leave. However, the maximum period for the distributions of scholarships cannot be extended due to illness or parental leave. 

Insurance for Stipend-Funded Doctoral Students:

If you are a stipend-funded doctoral student admitted to KI, there is an insurance policy from Kammarkollegiet.  The insurance covers reductions in your stipend due to illness or parental leave. More information on Kammarkollegiet homepage

Pregnancy and maternity

The maternity clinic (MVC mödravårdscentralen), is primarily for pregnant women. You go to the maternity clinic throughout your pregnancy to check that both the child and you yourself are doing well. Visits to the maternity clinic are free.

More information about provisions that regulate how and when Pregnant and breastfeeding co-workers are allowed to work at KI.

At the child health centre (BVC barnavårdscentralen), you can get tips about your child’s development, breast-feeding, food and illnesses. When you come home after the childbirth, you can contact the child health centre yourself to make an appointment for a first meeting. The first meeting is often held at home. At the meeting the nurse tells you about the child health centre and looks to see how your baby is doing.

Activities 

Companies offering nanny/childminding: Nannyakuten, Upgrades Kids, Babysits, Yepstr, Hey Kiddo Nanny – Bilingual child care

Sport – a great start in life

Norrtulls sportklubb: football, table tennis, floorball, handball, bandy

Sports activities in Stockholm