The short answer
Parents normally share 480 days of Swedish parental benefit for each child. Of these, 390 are paid at an income-related level and 90 at the minimum level. Benefit from Försäkringskassan and leave from the employer are coordinated but separate processes. Check SGI protection, parent-specific days and notice requirements before fixing a long-term schedule.
Start by separating the two day types
Försäkringskassan describes 390 income-related days and 90 minimum-level days, currently paid at SEK 180 per day.
The income-related amount generally rests on SGI. Recent arrivals and people with gaps or changing hours should confirm their individual basis.
Parental benefit is different from VAB for a sick child.
| In Swedish | What it means | When you use it |
|---|---|---|
| Vi planerar föräldraledigheten. | We are planning parental leave. | |
| Hur många dagar har jag kvar? | How many days do I have left? |
Two notifications serve different purposes
Employer notice arranges time away from work; the Försäkringskassan application determines benefit payment. Completing one does not complete the other.
Align dates and percentage of leave with hours actually worked, particularly when combining part-time work and part-days.
A collective agreement may provide additional parental pay from the employer.
Treat SGI as something to protect
SGI protection changes with the child's age and the parent's activity.
After the first birthday, some situations require taking full parental benefit at least five days a week to protect SGI.
Get advice for your exact circumstances before reducing claims or moving into unemployment and an a-kassa process.
Build one calendar both parents can audit
Export the remaining balance and mark the payment level and parent against every planned day.
Overlay holidays, public holidays, part-time hours and return-to-work dates. A shared view prevents incompatible claims.
The household budget should also account for Swedish dental support and rights around a faulty purchase. The SvenskaApp Family unit gives you natural Swedish for explaining the plan.
Sources
- Försäkringskassan: parental benefit2026-09-18
Rules and processing times change. Check the official page for your own case before acting on anything here.
Questions people ask
- How many parental-benefit days are available?
- Parents share 480 days per child: 390 income-related days and 90 minimum-level days.
- Does applying for benefit notify my employer?
- No. Workplace leave and the benefit application are separate processes that must match.
- Why does SGI matter?
- It is the income basis used for many Swedish social-insurance payments, including most parental-benefit days.
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