Family Life

Equality is important

Family life in Sweden and in Umeå is extremely important and valued throughout our society, which is why Sweden offers the most generous parental leave system in the entire world. Parents in Sweden get a combined 480 paid days off with each child, to be split between the parents as they choose, including 30 days the parents can take together, and an additional 10 days both parents take together once a child is born.  

Equality is important for the citizens of Umeå. Throughout the 2000s, where figures are available at the municipal level, Umeå has had a more equal distribution of parental leave days between men and women than the national average.

In addition to the generous parental leave system, if your child gets sick or requires care from either parent, you are entitled to 120 paid days off a year to do so through the VAB system (vård av barn in Swedish, meaning care for children). You can apply for this from the day your child is 8 months old until he or she turns 12. 

Learn more about the Swedish parental leave and VAB system in Sweden