5 Embarrassing questions about Försäkringskassan you didn't dare ask

1. Will my VAB, sick pay, or parental benefit be 80% of my salary?

Not exactly. These benefits are calculated in different ways.

VAB (temporary parental benefit):

You can receive up to SEK 950 per day, depending on your income. Income above approximately SEK 37,000 per month is not taken into account when calculating your VAB compensation.

Sick leave:

For the first 14 days, your employer pays sick pay (sjuklön), which is generally 80% of your salary. After day 14, Försäkringskassan takes over and can pay up to SEK 1,259 per day before tax. Keep in mind that a karensavdrag (qualifying deduction) is also applied when you become sick.

Parental benefit:

The amount you receive depends on both your salary and how many parental leave days you take out each week. In 2026, the maximum parental benefit is SEK 1,259 per day before tax. If you earn more than SEK 49,300 per month, income above that level is not included when Försäkringskassan calculates your benefit.

2. Can I take VAB even if my child isn't seriously ill?

Yes.

VAB (leave to care for a sick child) can be used whenever your child is ill and unable to attend preschool, school, or their regular childcare. The illness does not need to be serious. If your child needs you at home due to illness, you are generally entitled to VAB.

3. What happens if Försäkringskassan rejects my sick leave claim after day 14?

A rejection does not necessarily mean you're out of options.

You can appeal the decision, submit additional medical documentation, or ask your doctor to clarify your medical certificate. Many rejected claims are related to insufficient or unclear medical information rather than the illness itself.

4. Can my employer say no if I need to take VAB?

No.

In Sweden, caring for a sick child is a legal right, and your employer cannot deny you VAB. However, you should notify your employer as soon as possible that you'll be absent.

It's also important to register the time correctly. If you're home caring for a sick child, report it as VAB, not parental leave, in your work time-reporting system. Försäkringskassan checks that the information matches.

5. Can I avoid the karensavdrag by working half a day when I get sick?

Usually not.

The karensavdrag is a standard deduction that applies when you become sick, regardless of whether you stop working at the beginning, middle, or end of the day. For most employees working a regular five-day week, the deduction corresponds to 20% of an average week's sick pay.

Also remember that during the first 14 days of sick leave, it is your employer, not Försäkringskassan, who pays your sick pay at approximately 80% of your salary.

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