Equal time does not always mean equal resources. In Sweden, a parent may still need to pay child maintenance when the child lives with both parents, especially when their finances differ significantly.
Sweden · Checked 17 September 2026
Both parents usually meet costs in their own home. But they must contribute according to the child’s needs and their financial capacity.
A large difference in resources can leave the child with very different conditions in each home. The lower-income parent does not first have to fall below a fixed minimum-living threshold for maintenance to be considered.
Parents can agree maintenance, or the district court can decide if they disagree. There is no universal income-gap formula.
Försäkringskassan, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, explains when shared-residence maintenance can be relevant. Its standard online calculator does not decide these cases.
Underhållsbidrag is maintenance paid by a parent. Underhållsstöd is a public maintenance-support benefit paid through Försäkringskassan.
The public benefit is not normally available for alternating residence. That does not decide whether private maintenance should be paid. A regular maintenance agreement also follows different rules from an approved custody agreement.
This guide explains general rules and services. It does not assess your individual case.
Information checked on 17 September 2026.
Based on the original article by Elisabeth Scholander.
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