If your income is low, bostadsbidrag may help with housing costs. Children can sometimes count even when they stay part-time. New rules apply from January 2027.
Sweden · Checked 17 September 2026
Bostadsbidrag is housing allowance, handled by Försäkringskassan, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Income, housing costs, home size, household members and the child’s living arrangements affect the assessment.
Renting or owning does not by itself decide eligibility. The separate scheme for young adults has different conditions.
The child normally needs to stay at least 30 days a year. If stays are less than approximately half the time, the home normally needs at least two rooms and a kitchen and at least 40 square metres.
The payment is not worked out simply by multiplying an amount by the number of nights.
The allowance is initially based on estimated annual income. It is checked against actual income later. You may then receive extra money or need to repay some.
The maximum monthly amounts in 2026, in Swedish kronor (SEK), are SEK 4,200 for one child, SEK 5,200 for two and SEK 6,200 for three or more. These are maximums, not promised payments. Income and other conditions may reduce the amount to zero.
From January 2027, new rules apply to housing allowance. Many households will be assessed using monthly income instead of estimated annual income.
The rules apply to new decisions from 1 January 2027. Existing decisions normally continue under the old rules until they expire. Self-employment and income from abroad have different treatment; the agency’s transition guide explains the details.
An award normally cannot start before the application month. A decision covers at most twelve months and can change if circumstances change.
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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