Can I take leave to care for a seriously ill relative in Sweden?
Yes — you have a right to leave and carer's benefit (närståendepenning) when caring for a seriously ill relative. It applies only if the person is seriously, life-threateningly ill and you are insured in Sweden. The benefit is about 80% of your income (sickness-benefit level), up to a ceiling of 10 price base amounts. There are 100 days in total per sick person, which can be shared among several helpers. You can take full, three-quarter, half or quarter benefit, at most five days a week. "Relative" is broad — friends and neighbours count too, not just family.
📋 The rules
- The person must be seriously, life-threateningly ill
- Benefit: about 80% of income (sickness-benefit level)
- 100 days in total per sick person
- Can be shared among helpers, at most 5 days/week
- "Relative" is broad — friends and neighbours too
🔓 Exceptions
- A person infected with HIV via blood in Swedish care need not meet the serious-illness criterion
- The support can be given outside hospital and also abroad
- It does not require hands-on nursing — companionship counts
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no penalty — it is a benefit. You have job protection under the carer-leave law; the employer must grant the leave and may not disadvantage you, otherwise it can bring damages.
📎 Official sources
- Social Insurance Agency · Supporting a seriously ill relative →
- Carer Leave Act (1988:1465) · Riksdagen →
- Social Insurance Agency · Current amounts →
❓ Frequently asked
Who can I care for with carer's benefit?
A seriously, life-threateningly ill person. The term relative is broad and includes friends and neighbours.
How much do I get?
About 80% of your income at sickness-benefit level, up to the ceiling of 10 price base amounts.
How many days are there?
100 days in total per sick person, which can be shared among several helpers.
Must I provide hands-on care?
No. Being there as support and company also counts, and it can happen outside hospital.
Must the employer grant the leave?
Yes. You have job protection under the carer-leave law and may not be disadvantaged for the leave.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I get carer benefit sweden”
- “care for seriously ill relative leave”
- “carer benefit 100 days”
- “carer benefit amount 80”
- “who counts as relative carer”
- “carer leave sweden”