Moving to Sweden with children in 2026: school and preschool
When you move to Sweden with children, you need to sort out population registration, apply for preschool or school through your home municipality and find out which benefits may apply. Children are entitled to preschool from age one, and compulsory school starts in the autumn term of the calendar year the child turns six. Contact the municipality well before the move.
Which documents should the family prepare?
Bring a valid passport or other ID for guardians and children, documents showing family relationships and custody, and information about previous schooling. Skatteverket, the Swedish Tax Agency, assesses population registration based on residence and valid documents. Ask the municipality which translations and certificates it accepts, because requirements can differ.
When can a child get a preschool place?
According to Skolverket, children from age one are entitled to preschool to the extent needed because their guardians work or study, or because of the child's own needs, for example if the child has a home language other than Swedish. Children under one have no such right as a general rule, except children who need special support in their development. From the autumn term of the year a child turns three, every child is entitled to at least 525 hours a year, known as allmän förskola. The home municipality must make sure preschool places are available, and for certain children, for example those born abroad who have lived in Sweden for no more than five years, it must offer a place without an application.
When does school start and how is a place arranged?
Compulsory school starts in the autumn term of the calendar year the child turns six. Guardians can request a one-year postponement for special reasons. Förskoleklass (the preschool class) is the usual way to start school, but under certain conditions children can start directly in grundskola. Compulsory schooling applies to children registered as residents of Sweden. Children not covered by compulsory schooling may still have a right to education, for example asylum-seeking children. The municipality provides information on how school placement works.
What child benefit does the family get?
According to Försäkringskassan, the 2026 child allowance (barnbidrag) is SEK 1,250 a month for one child. For two children the total is SEK 2,650 and for three children SEK 4,480, including the large-family supplement. Child allowance is not an automatic benefit for everyone who moves to Sweden. Försäkringskassan assesses the right to it, so check the conditions there.
How does the child get healthcare and support?
Read our guide to healthcare and vårdcentral in Sweden to see how care works. Ask the school or the municipality about support with Swedish and other support, and bring previous school reports and vaccination records.
Sources: Skolverket, compulsory schooling and right to education; Skolverket, right to preschool; Försäkringskassan, current amounts (checked 2026-11-10).
Frequently asked questions
Yes, in the autumn term of the calendar year the child turns six. Guardians can request a one-year postponement for special reasons.
Yes, to the extent needed because guardians work or study, or because of the child's own needs.
As a general rule no. The exception is children who need special support in their development.
SEK 1,250 a month for one child. SEK 2,650 in total for two children and SEK 4,480 for three, including the large-family supplement.
The home municipality.
Förskoleklass is the usual way to start school, but under certain conditions children can start directly in grundskola.
No. Försäkringskassan assesses the right to it, so check the conditions there.
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