How Much Does Preschool Cost in Sweden? Maxtaxa 2026 Explained
How much does preschool cost in Sweden in 2026? Understand maxtaxa, the new SEK 10,000 income allowance, sibling discounts and maximum monthly preschool fees.
One of the first surprises for many parents in Sweden is this:
Preschool is not completely free.
But there is also a limit to how much families can be charged. This system is called maxtaxa — the maximum-fee system.
And from 1 July 2026, the rules changed. Here is the simple version.
What is maxtaxa?
Maxtaxa means there is a national ceiling on how much a household can be charged for preschool and fritids.
The amount depends mainly on:
- household income
- how many children in the household attend preschool or fritids
- which child is the youngest
All municipalities use the maxtaxa system.*1
The big change from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the first SEK 10,000 of the household's monthly income is not included when the fee is calculated.*1,*2
This is called a fribelopp — income allowance.
So if your household earns SEK 40,000/month, the maxtaxa calculation is based on SEK 30,000 — not the full SEK 40,000.
And if the household's monthly income is SEK 10,000 or less, no preschool fee is charged under the maxtaxa calculation.*3
Maximum preschool fees from July 2026
For preschool, the national maximum percentages are:
| Child | Fee | Maximum per month |
|---|---|---|
| Youngest child | 3% | SEK 1,547 |
| Second child | 2% | SEK 1,031 |
| Third child | 1% | SEK 516 |
| Fourth child or more | 0% | SEK 0 |
The highest fee is always charged for the youngest child.*1,*3
The national income ceiling for 2026 is SEK 61,560 per month before the SEK 10,000 allowance is deducted.*3
Example
Imagine a household earns SEK 50,000 per month before tax.
After the new SEK 10,000 allowance, SEK 40,000 is fee-based income.
If one child attends preschool: 3% of SEK 40,000 = SEK 1,200/month.
That is below the national maximum, so the fee would be SEK 1,200 before any local adjustments.
What if you have more than one child?
The sibling discount is built into the system. With three children in preschool:
- youngest child → highest percentage
- second child → lower percentage
- third child → lower again
- fourth child → no fee
This is why the number of children in the household matters when the municipality calculates the fee.*1
Is preschool free from age 3?
Not completely.
From the autumn term of the year your child turns 3, children are entitled to 525 hours of allmän förskola — universal preschool — per year free of charge.
If your child attends more hours than that, a fee may still apply. So allmän förskola means some free preschool hours — not necessarily that all preschool becomes free.
Do you still pay during holidays?
Often, yes. Stockholm, for example, states that families continue paying the preschool fee even when the child is absent, including during summer holidays.*3
Local administration can differ, so check your municipality's rules.
Does this also apply to independent preschools?
Yes. Skolverket states that both municipal and independent preschools are covered by rules limiting how high fees may be.*4
Comparing options? You can search all preschools by municipality and compare them side by side.
What about fritids?
Fritids also uses maxtaxa, but the percentages are lower. From July 2026:
- youngest child: maximum 2%
- second child: 1%
- third child: 1%
- fourth child: no fee
The maximum monthly fritids fee for the youngest child is SEK 1,031 under the 2026 rules.*1,*3 Read more in our guide What is fritids?
Preschool fees in 30 seconds
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is preschool free? | No, usually not completely |
| What is maxtaxa? | A cap on preschool and fritids fees |
| What changed in July 2026? | First SEK 10,000 of monthly household income is excluded |
| Maximum fee for first preschool child? | SEK 1,547/month |
| Fourth child? | No fee |
| Free preschool from age 3? | 525 hours/year, not necessarily all hours |
| Does fritids use maxtaxa too? | Yes |
One thing to remember
The national maxtaxa rules set the maximum.
Your actual fee can depend on your municipality, household situation and your child's attendance arrangement. Always check your municipality's current fee calculator or fee table.
Still in the queue? Read how to apply for preschool as a newcomer and find preschools near you.
Sources
- Skolverket — Maxtaxa 2026 Official rules and maximum fee levels.
- Skolverket — Current rule changes Confirms the new SEK 10,000 income allowance from 1 July 2026.
- Stockholm City — Preschool fees Municipal example of the 2026 maxtaxa calculation and fee ceilings.
- Skolverket — Fees in preschool and school-age educare Fees in municipal and independent preschool.
Fees can vary by municipality within the national maxtaxa framework. Last checked: October 2026.