Can I stay home paid when my child is sick in Sweden?
Yes — when your child is ill you can stay at home on temporary parental benefit, known as VAB. The Social Insurance Agency pays around 80 % of your income (the sickness-benefit qualifying income, capped at 7.5 price base amounts), for up to 120 days per child per year. VAB normally applies to children under 12; for children between 12 and 16 special grounds are required. A medical certificate is required from the eighth calendar day of the illness. Since 1 April 2026 you have 30 days to apply — so anyone who takes VAB and applies long afterwards can end up with nothing. VAB does not always require the child to be ill: a contagious child or a visit to healthcare also gives entitlement.
📋 The rules
- Temporary parental benefit: about 80% of income
- Up to 120 days per child per year
- Normally applies to children under 12
- Doctor's note from day 8
- Since 1 April 2026: 30 days to apply
🔓 Exceptions
- A contagious child or a healthcare visit can give VAB even without the child being ill
- A prior decision can extend the right for chronically ill or disabled children
- Another adult can get VAB if the parent themselves is sick
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Wrongly paid VAB must be repaid in full, plus a sanction charge of 25 % — so you pay back more than you received. Deliberate cheating is benefit fraud, with a police report and a fine or imprisonment, and a report follows you long after the money has been returned. Two deadlines cost people money without any offence at all: a medical certificate is required from day 8, and since 1 April 2026 you have only 30 days to apply — after that the days are lost.
📎 Official sources
- Social Insurance Agency · Care of a child (VAB) →
- Social Insurance Agency · Current amounts →
- Social Insurance Code (2010:110) · Riksdagen →
❓ Frequently asked
How much do I get when I take VAB?
Around 80 % of your income, up to the cap of 7.5 price base amounts, paid by the Social Insurance Agency. It is the sickness-benefit qualifying income that counts, not your whole salary.
How many VAB days do I have?
Up to 120 days per child per year, so not per parent. If you have several children each child has its own quota, and an advance decision can extend the right for chronically ill children.
Up to what age does VAB apply?
Normally for children under 12. For children between 12 and 16 special grounds are required, for instance an illness or disability that means the child needs more supervision.
When must I provide a medical certificate?
From the eighth calendar day of the illness. For the first seven days your own notification is enough, but if the child stays ill longer a certificate is needed for the money to be paid.
How long do I have to apply?
Since 1 April 2026 you have 30 days to apply for VAB. Miss the deadline and the days can be lost, so the application should be made straight after the child recovers.
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