The Government and The Sweden Democrats are now in agreement on how their benefit reform will be designed. The purpose is to increase the motivation to work.
Far too many people have become stuck in long-term benefit dependence with a very weak connection to the labor market. It's mainly about foreign-born individuals, says Minister for Social Security Anna Tenje (The Moderate Party).
The reform means that the national standard for calculating the social benefit amount will be tightened, which will affect all households that receive social benefits. In addition, the municipalities will no longer be able to provide extra supplements beyond the standard.
A restriction rule in social benefits is also proposed for large families.
For cohabiting parents, the amount received in social benefits per child will be reduced by 75 percent from the fourth child. For a single parent, the reduction will be 40 percent from the fourth child.
Several thousand
For example, cohabiting couples with five children who, according to the government's typical case, can currently receive 46,500 kronor per month in various benefits, will have their social benefits reduced by more than 8,000 kronor. The restriction on benefits is expected to affect more than 5,000 families. They will have to manage with less money than now.
This reform will lead to more children seeing their parents go to work, says Anna Tenje.
Since smaller families with children are not covered by the restriction rule, the effects will not be as great for them. For cohabiting couples with two children, the social benefit will be reduced by 800 kronor, in the government's typical case.
At the same time, it is proposed that a job premium be introduced in 2026 for those who have lived on benefits and start working.
Requirements for benefits
Another part of the benefit reform is that everyone who moves to Sweden from January 1, 2027, will need to qualify for social insurance. Either by having been resident in Sweden for five years or by having worked for at least twelve of 24 months with a salary of over 20,000 kronor per month.
Sweden is no longer a smorgasbord for all the world's people, says The Sweden Democrats' group leader Linda Lindberg.
The requirement applies, for example, to child benefits, large family supplements, housing benefits, sickness and activity compensation, and elderly support. Social benefits are not included.
Those who move here from other EU countries or from EES countries are not affected in practice, since the residence period in those countries is also counted.
Niklas Svahn/TT
Peter Wallberg/TT
Benefit cap
TT
Effects for example households:
A single parent with two children who receives income support (social benefits) of 25,000 kronor will receive 1,500 kronor less in benefits.
A single parent with five children who receives income support of 42,000 kronor will receive 6,700 kronor less in benefits.
Cohabiting couples with two children who receive income support of 29,700 kronor will receive 800 kronor less in benefits.
Cohabiting couples with five children who receive income support of 46,500 kronor will receive 8,200 kronor less in benefits.
Refers to the year 2027, rounded values, after tax.
Source: Government Offices
The national standard for social benefits is tightened
Municipalities will no longer be able to make their own supplements beyond the standard
A restriction rule in social benefits from the fourth child is introduced in 2027
Then the social benefit will be reduced by between 40 and 75 percent per child
The size of the reduction depends on whether the guardian is a single parent or cohabiting.
A job premium is introduced for those who go from benefits to work
The premium applies for 18 months and corresponds to 15 percent of the salary up to 25,000 kronor
The premium is introduced on July 1, 2026
An activity requirement for social benefits will apply in all municipalities
From 2027, it is required that you have lived in Sweden for five years to be entitled to various benefits. Social benefits are not included.
You can also qualify by having worked for at least 12 of 24 months
The salary must then be at least 20,000 kronor
The qualification requirement does not in practice apply to immigrants from EU and EES countries
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs
