What Is VAB? VAB in Sweden 2026: What Parents Actually Need to Know

Your child wakes up with a fever.

You have a meeting at 09:00.

Preschool is clearly not happening.

Welcome to one of the first Swedish parenting words you will probably learn:

VAB.

VAB stands for vård av barn — literally, care of a child.

It is the everyday term used in Sweden when someone needs to stop working to care for a child. The benefit you apply for from Försäkringskassan — the Swedish Social Insurance Agency — is called tillfällig föräldrapenning, or temporary parental benefit.*1

And VAB is not only for fever and stomach bugs. You can also be entitled to VAB in several other situations, including certain healthcare appointments — and from 2026, some school, preschool and social-services meetings.*1,*2

So how does it actually work?

01VAB at a glance

02When can you VAB?

The familiar example is simple: your child is sick, so you stay home from work to care for them.

But VAB covers more situations. You may be entitled to compensation when:

• your child is sick, contagious or injured
• you take your child to BVC, BUP, a doctor, dentist or habilitation service
• the person who normally looks after your child is sick or contagious
• you attend a preschool or school meeting because of your child's illness or disability
• you teach preschool or school staff how to manage your child's egenvård — everyday self-care or healthcare
• you participate in certain assessments concerning your child with socialtjänsten — municipal social services.*1,*2

The last three situations are particularly relevant in 2026 because they were added to the VAB rules from 1 January 2026.*2

03How old can my child be?

The standard rule is:

From 8 months old until the day before the child turns 12.*3

A child younger than 8 months can qualify in certain situations — for example, if the child is being treated in hospital or already has arranged childcare, such as preschool, and becomes ill.*1,*3

There are also special VAB rules for children aged 12 or older. Those rules depend on the child's situation and can require medical documentation.*3

So if your child is outside the normal 8-month-to-under-12 age range, check Försäkringskassan's rules for that specific age and situation rather than assuming the standard rules apply.

04How much money do you get when you VAB?

Försäkringskassan describes VAB compensation as a little less than 80% of your usual income, up to a ceiling.*1

The calculation uses your SGI — sjukpenninggrundande inkomst, or sickness benefit qualifying income.*4 SGI is the income Försäkringskassan uses when calculating several earnings-related benefits.

This means VAB is not simply 80% of whatever your daily salary happens to be. The calculation and income ceiling matter, so use Försäkringskassan's current information for an individual estimate rather than relying on a general online calculator.

05How many VAB days do you get?

The standard allowance is up to 120 days per child and calendar year.*1

Those days belong to the child. If several people use VAB for the same child, they share the allowance — it is not 120 separate days for each parent.

There is also an extra rule after the first 60 days: the remaining days cannot be used simply because the child's ordinary caregiver is sick. They can still be used when the child is sick, needs a doctor's visit or in other qualifying situations.*1

There are special rules for seriously ill children. If Försäkringskassan assesses a child as seriously ill according to its criteria, the ordinary 120-day limit does not apply.*5

06Can parents split a VAB day?

Yes. VAB can be taken for:

• 100% of a day
• 75%
• 50%
• 25%
• 12.5%.*1

One parent could work part of the day and VAB for the rest, or two parents could take different portions. Parents can also alternate full days.

This is often easier than deciding whose 09:00 meeting matters more while a feverish child is sitting beside you.

07Can a grandparent or someone else VAB?

Yes, in certain circumstances. A grandparent or neighbour may be able to receive VAB compensation.*6

The person caring for the child must meet the basic VAB requirements, including giving up work and having an SGI. In a common situation where the parent could have cared for the child but chooses to work instead, the parent needs to transfer the right to VAB to the other person.*6

Other rules apply when the parent is themselves sick. The first time someone who is not the child's parent VABs for that child, they need to contact Försäkringskassan to set up the connection before applying.*6

So this can be a very useful option — but check the process before sending grandma a message saying, “Congratulations, you're VABbing tomorrow.”

08The rule worth remembering: day 8

If the child is sick for more than seven days, you need a certificate from a doctor or nurse from day 8.*1

Weekends count. Days when you do not claim VAB — including Saturday and Sunday — still count towards the seven-day illness period.*1

If the doctor or nurse cannot send the certificate directly to Försäkringskassan, you need to submit it yourself.*3

09New in 2026: VAB can be used in more situations

From 1 January 2026, three additional situations were introduced where parents can receive VAB.*2

1Certain meetings at preschool or school

You can potentially VAB for a meeting at your child's preschool or school when the meeting is taking place because of your child's illness or disability.*1,*2

That does not mean an ordinary parent-teacher meeting automatically qualifies. The reason for the meeting matters.

2Teaching staff about your child's care

You can also potentially VAB when you need to teach preschool or school staff about your child's egenvård — self-care needs, such as care connected to diabetes.*1,*2

3Certain meetings with social services

VAB may also apply when you need to participate in an investigation or preliminary assessment concerning your child with socialtjänsten — municipal social services.*1,*2

Försäkringskassan reported in June 2026 that almost 2,500 people had used one of these new possibilities during the first half of the year. The most commonly used new option was VAB for meetings with preschool or school.*2

10Can I VAB for a doctor or dentist appointment?

Yes, in qualifying situations. Försäkringskassan lists visits to BVC, BUP, a doctor, dentist and habilitation services among situations where VAB can apply.*1

VAB is therefore not limited to days when a child is lying at home with a fever.

11When do I need to apply?

This changed in 2026.

For VAB days from 1 April 2026 onwards, you normally need to apply no later than 30 days after the first day you stayed home with the child.*7 Before that change, the normal application period was 90 days.

There are limited exceptions to the new deadline, including special rules for seriously ill children.*5,*7

You can apply through Försäkringskassan's website or app. Mina sidor — “My Pages” — is the logged-in section where you can see and manage your cases.

12When can't you simply VAB?

VAB does not provide paid leave for every child-related situation. It normally cannot be paid:

• for time when you are actually working
• for inskolning, the settling-in period when a child starts preschool
• simply because preschool or school is closed
• in certain situations when the other parent is already on parental leave with another child
• when a sibling is being born and both parents go to the maternity ward.*1

Parental benefit may sometimes be relevant during inskolning, but parental benefit and VAB are separate benefits.

13The VAB checklist worth saving

• Tell your employer that you need to stay home
• Keep track of who VABs and for which part of the day
• Count calendar days if the illness continues — day 8 requires a certificate
• Apply to Försäkringskassan within the correct deadline
• Check the application before submitting
• If someone else will VAB, check the transfer process first

And one practical family tip that Försäkringskassan cannot solve for you: if possible, decide how you will share VAB before both parents have an “absolutely unmissable” meeting at 09:00.

14Frequently asked questions about VAB in Sweden

Is VAB the same as parental leave?

No. VAB is temporary parental benefit used when caring for a child in specific qualifying situations. Föräldrapenning — parental benefit — is a different benefit.

Can we VAB half a day each?

Yes. VAB can be taken for 50% of a day, and parents can share the day.*1

Is VAB exactly 80% of my salary?

No. Compensation is a little less than 80% of the income used in the calculation, and an income ceiling applies. Your SGI is part of the calculation.*1,*4

Do weekends count towards the day-8 rule?

Yes. Saturday and Sunday count in a continuous care period even if you did not claim VAB on those days.*1

Can I VAB for a normal school meeting?

Not simply because a meeting takes place at school. The 2026 rules cover certain meetings connected to the child's illness or disability.*1,*2

Can someone other than a parent VAB?

Yes, in certain circumstances, provided the relevant Försäkringskassan requirements are met.*6

Can I work while claiming VAB for the same time?

Normally, no. A basic condition for VAB is that you refrain from work, or lose unemployment benefit, in order to care for the child.*1

Sources

1. 1Försäkringskassan — Vab for children under 12 Current guidance on qualifying situations, age, days, compensation, part-days, certificates and applications.
2. 2Försäkringskassan — New VAB possibility used most for school meetings The three additional situations introduced from 1 January 2026 and first-half usage.
3. 3Försäkringskassan — Care of a sick child (VAB) The normal age range, rules for younger and older children and the medical-certificate requirement.
4. 4Försäkringskassan — Sickness benefit qualifying income (SGI) How SGI is used in social insurance benefits.
5. 5Försäkringskassan — VAB for seriously ill children Special rules for seriously ill children, including the exception to the ordinary 120-day limit.
6. 6Försäkringskassan — People other than parents can VAB Official conditions and application process for another caregiver.
7. 7Försäkringskassan — Shorter time to apply for VAB The 30-day deadline for VAB days from 1 April 2026.