Sweden gives grandparents paid childcare

From 1 July, parents in Sweden can transfer their 45 days of paid leave to someone else - such as a grandparent - to look after their child.

The Swedish government explained the reason for launching the new policy by saying that each family has different needs. Accordingly, due to some restrictions and specifics of work, parents may not be able to use all of their leave to take care of their children.

So the new policy allows each parent to transfer up to 45 days of paid leave to someone of their choice, with no age limit, who will be paid based on their earnings if they were working.

In the case of pensioners - such as the child's grandparents - their pension will be counted. Carers cannot look for work or study while they are receiving the benefit.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at a press conference in Stockholm on May 13. Photo: Reuters

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hailed the reform as allowing grandfathers to take parental leave, while the Swedish Social Insurance Agency said the new policy would "provide more opportunities".

However, the new policy has also met with opposition. According to a report from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, for children born in 2021, fathers used 27% of their leave, equivalent to 130 days, up 7 percentage points in 10 years.

Allowing the transfer of leave could set back this progress. Annika Strandhäll, chairwoman of the Swedish Social Democratic Women’s Federation, says it could put more pressure on male employees from their bosses to shorten their leave.

In addition, some politicians are concerned about the commercialization of parental leave, fueling the nanny market. In late 2023, the CEO of the Nanny company announced plans to develop a new service to help parents find nannies, on a commission basis.

With a total of 480 days (equivalent to 16 months) of paid parental leave, divided between both parents or single parents, Sweden is considered one of the countries with the most generous parental leave policies in the world.

Of these, parents get 390 days of 80 percent pay and 90 days are capped at the basic rate of 180 kronor ($17.40) per day. These days must be taken before the child turns 12. During the child’s first 15 months, both parents can stay home for 60 days.

The Scandinavian nation of 10 million also allows parents to reduce their working hours until their children turn 8. Government employees can reduce their working hours until their children turn 12.

Study in Sweden and Jonkoping University Scholarship
Representatives of Jonkoping University came to Vietnam to directly introduce the study abroad program in Sweden, announce scholarships at Jonkoping University and directly interview candidates.

The workshop will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on March 10 at 208 Xa Dan 2, Dong Da, Hanoi (4th floor, VEBA building); from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 115-115A Vo Van Tan, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City (3rd floor, Minh Tinh building). Mr. Eric Freid, Business Development Director, is the school's representative. You can register to attend by email: [email protected] or phone: (04) 35376854 (Hanoi); (08) 3930 1824 (Ho Chi Minh City), register online here .

Advantages of studying in Sweden: enjoy world-class education, leading in scientific research and application; top 6 most livable countries on the planet; reasonable total cost of study and living (about 300 million VND per year); opportunity to work part-time during study with income: 600 - 800 Euro per month; European standard degree - certified throughout Europe, America, Central America and Asia; study program in English and opportunity to learn Swedish; open global job opportunities with good salary after graduation; convenient Visa procedures, simple income proof procedures; opportunity to travel to European countries.

Detailed information about Jonkoping University and scholarship announcements can be found here .

Jonkoping University (JU) is one of three private, non-profit institutions in Sweden, specializing in undergraduate and doctoral education. JU operates under the Swedish government's permission,  in accordance with national degree regulations and quality requirements. Education and research programs are organized in four affiliated schools, including  Jonkoping International   Business School, School of Education and Communication, The School of Engineering, and School of Health Sciences.

JU has 10,000 students, of which over 1,500 come from 80 different countries. With 733 lecturers and cooperation with 350 universities around the world,  Jonkoping  is known as one of the leading universities in international student exchange.

With a modern campus, library and student dormitory located right in the center of  Jonkoping city , students' travel and living are always convenient. The 30% scholarship of the Swedish Government is also applied at  Jonkoping University . In Vietnam, the school offers the opportunity to receive a scholarship of up to 30% for the entire undergraduate and master's program for all applications for admission in the fall semester (August). Representatives from the school will directly interview the application at the seminar.

On the occasion of Jonkoping University's representative's visit to Vietnam, Blue Ocean Education together with Jonkoping University organized the program "Sweden Study Abroad Information Week" with useful activities and many awards, the series of events officially started from March 3: the contest with the theme "The best of Sweden"; the study abroad knowledge test "Online Quiz - Learn about Sweden and study abroad in Sweden".

The prize is sponsored by Jonkoping University and Blue Ocean Education, including: cash prizes including one first prize and two second prizes with a total value of 2 million VND; a pair of movie tickets for White Valentine's Day 14/3; gifts of helmets, backpacks and Blue Ocean notebooks.