Sweden (SE)

Sweden has a national maximum fee (maxtaxa) for förskola. In 2026: first child SEK 1,572/month (max 3% of income, whichever is lower); second child SEK 1,048/month; third child SEK 524/month; fourth child FREE. Low-income families pay proportionally less. All children 3–5 years are entitled to 15 hours/week of free förskola (allmän förskola), regardless of parental employment status.

Apply via your municipality's website. Need personnummer for child and parent, proof of residence, and employment/study documentation. Municipal placement officer (placeringshandläggare) coordinates placement.

Same maxtaxa subsidy as förskola. Provided by licensed childminders who care for small groups (3–5 children) in their own home. Less common than förskola but an option in some municipalities.

Apply through municipality — same process as förskola. Municipality matches children with childminders.

Before and after-school care for children in grades 1–6 (ages 6–12). Heavily subsidised. Children attend fritidshem before 08:00 and after 14:00–16:00. Free during school holidays when parents work.

Enrol via the school at the same time as school enrolment. Automatic for most children in grades 1–3 whose parents work.

Children are automatically assigned to their nearest school (upptagningsområde). Parents can apply for another school (fritt skolval — free school choice). Apply via municipality at skolval.se or municipality website. International children without Swedish may be placed in a förberedelseklass (preparatory class) first.

Apply via antagning.se in February of grade 9. Admission based on grades from grades 6–9. Students choose a national programme (nationellt program) — academic (e.g., Naturvetenskapsprogrammet, Samhällsvetenskapsprogrammet) or vocational (e.g., Hantverksprogrammet, Barn- och fritidsprogrammet). Gymnasium is not compulsory but attended by >98% of students.

SFI is a statutory right for all immigrants folkbokförda (registered in Sweden). Register at your municipality immediately after arrival. Classes are free and available in morning, afternoon, and evening formats. SFI D is approximately B1–B2 level Swedish and allows access to Komvux (adult education). SFI certificate is required for some citizenship and permanent residency applications.

Free adult education at secondary level for Swedish residents. Includes Swedish as a second language (SVA), English, maths, and vocational courses. Recognized qualifications for university entrance. Available as daytime or distance courses.

Uniquely Swedish/Nordic educational institution — focuses on personal development, democracy, and lifelong learning. No grades on many courses. Good environment for learning Swedish and integrating. CSN studiestöd (study grants/loans) available.