The culture budget is 9.6 billion kronor, which corresponds to a share of 0.62 percent of the country's total budget for 2026. The cultural share has not been this low in 26 years, according to a review made by Magasin K.
A scandal, according to the trade union Dik (the union for culture, communication and the creative sector).
"The cultural welfare is constitutionally established, but the government still chooses to dole out small change to a sector that has long been severely underfunded. The cultural sector needs broad and long-term investments to get out of the crisis," says union chairman Anna Troberg in a written comment.
However, the budget has increased since last year, by 3.4 percent, but the increase in the state budget is larger than usual.
The National Archives receives the most
Most money goes to the National Archives, which receives an addition of 95 million kronor next year, among other things to invest in digitization. The high amount is also due to the National Archives having double rents and will become an emergency authority.
The Stockholm Opera also receives an increased allocation of 11 million kronor next year, to be able to keep the business going during the time the opera house is being renovated. For 2027, the allocation is expected to increase by 20.3 million and for the years 2028-2031 by 11.5 million.
The government is also allocating 40 million kronor to strengthened reading promotion through support to public libraries - and provides a corresponding amount for 2027 and 2028.
Money for museums
The budget also includes 700,000 kronor for the Dance House, for the institution's work with children and young people.
It is already known that the budget includes 7 million kronor per year for 2026-2028 to the foundation museums Nordiska museet, Skansen, Tekniska museet and Arbetets museum.
It is also known that the cost rent for five major cultural institutions will be abolished, but the government cannot yet specify how much it will cost, but states in the budget that the assignment will be partially reported by January 15, 2026, and finally reported by February 1, 2031.
The dance band tax is reduced from 25 to 6 percent, which can come into force on July 1, 2026. It is expected to reduce tax revenues by 220 million kronor next year, according to the government.
The foundation museums Nordiska museet, Skansen, Tekniska museet and Arbetets museum's operations are strengthened with a total of 7 million kronor during the years 2026-2028.
The government also wants to allocate 3 million kronor to a preliminary study on a national museum card.
30 million kronor are allocated to an initiative to promote reading in socially vulnerable areas.
The cost rent for five major cultural institutions will be abolished. The new rental agreements can begin to apply on July 1, 2026, with the exception of the Royal Opera's main building, due to renovations. It is still unclear how much money will be allocated for the change.
