Children, family and parenting
Children have the right to security. Families may need support in everyday life.
Goal: understand the basics and find the right official help route.
Translated from Swedish. Always rely on the Swedish text and the official source.
Show the original Swedish text
Barn, familj och föräldraskap
Barn har rätt till trygghet. Familjer kan behöva stöd i vardagen.
- Föräldrabalken ger barn rätt till omvårdnad, trygghet och god fostran.
- Barn får inte utsättas för kroppslig bestraffning eller annan kränkande behandling.
- Socialtjänsten kan ge råd och stöd till barn, unga och familjer.
- Kommunen har kontaktuppgifter; stödinsatser anpassas efter familjens situation.
- Läs grundregeln om barns trygghet i lagtexten.
- Hitta kommunens familjestöd.
- Förbered frågor och berätta om du behöver tolk.
Detta bedömer inte vårdnad, LVU, förmåner eller enskilda barnärenden. Familjer behöver inte klara alla svårigheter utan stöd.
Good to know
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The Children and Parents Code (Föräldrabalken) gives children the right to care, security and a good upbringing. Source 1
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Children must not be physically punished or treated in ways that shame or insult them. Source 1
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Social services can give advice and support to children, young people and families. Source 2
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The municipality has contact details; support is adapted to the family’s situation. Source 2
Three steps to get started
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Read the basic rule on children’s security in the law text.
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Find your municipality’s family support.
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Prepare questions and say if you need an interpreter.
A practical checklist to try. It does not add any legal requirements.
Important distinctions
This does not assess custody, LVU (compulsory care of young people), benefits or individual children’s cases. Families do not have to cope with all difficulties without support.
Practice question
Show the right answer and explanation
A. No.
The Children and Parents Code bans physical punishment and other treatment that shames or insults children.
This question is practice, not a test. Answers are not saved.
Sources
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Sveriges riksdag / SFS
Föräldrabalk, 6 kap. 1 § (opens in a new tab)“Barn har rätt till omvårdnad, trygghet och en god fostran.”
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Socialstyrelsen
Barn och familj (opens in a new tab)“Socialtjänsten anpassar alltid insatserna efter dig och din familjs situation.”
Checked . Check the source again before you act. Rules and contact routes can change.
In depth
Modules and guides
13 modules in this area. Everyone can read the modules marked Free. The rest are part of Premium.
13 modules in this area. You have Premium and can read everything.
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Children's rights and the Barnkonventionen (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)
What the Convention is, its main principles, and what it means for your child in Sweden.
Children's rights and the Barnkonventionen (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child). What the Convention is, its main principles, and what it means for your child in Sweden.The Convention is Swedish law
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Barnkonventionen, applies to all children under 18. Since 2020 it is Swedish law (SFS 2018:1197). This means courts and authorities must consider the child's rights when they make decisions about children.
Tip: It applies to all children in Sweden, whether the child is a citizen, has a residence permit, is an asylum seeker or has no permit.
Four basic principles
- Article 2: All children have the same rights and equal value. No child may be discriminated against.
- Article 3: The child's best interests must come first in all decisions that affect children.
- Article 6: All children have the right to life, survival and development.
- Article 12: Children have the right to say what they think about matters that affect them. Their views must be taken seriously, based on the child's age and maturity.
What does this mean in daily life?
Children have the right to protection from violence, the right to education, the right to health care and the right to play and rest. Parents have the main responsibility for raising and developing their child. Society must support parents in this.
Tip: The Children's Ombudsman (Barnombudsmannen) has a website for children and young people, minarattigheter.se. Children can read about their rights there.
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Parents’ duties and child custody
What custody, where the child lives and contact mean, and what responsibility you have as a parent and legal custodian.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
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Launch price 49 SEK/month
Parents’ duties and child custody. What custody, where the child lives and contact mean, and what responsibility you have as a parent and legal custodian.Tre begrepp att känna till Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Vem har vårdnaden? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Ditt ansvar som vårdnadshavare Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Om föräldrarna inte är överens Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
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BVC and children’s health
What the child health centre does, which vaccinations children are offered and where children get healthcare and dental care.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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BVC and children’s health. What the child health centre does, which vaccinations children are offered and where children get healthcare and dental care.Barnavårdscentralen, BVC Locked
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Vaccinationer Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Vård och tandvård för barn Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
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Preschool and contact with school
When children have the right to preschool, when the duty to go to school starts and how you stay in contact with the school.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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Preschool and contact with school. When children have the right to preschool, when the duty to go to school starts and how you stay in contact with the school.Rätt till förskola Locked
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Skolplikt Locked
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Håll kontakt med skolan Locked
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Sources
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Guide: Parental leave and VAB
How parental benefit and temporary parental benefit (VAB) [pay for time off to care for a sick child] work, and how you apply on time.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
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Launch price 49 SEK/month
Guide: Parental leave and VAB. How parental benefit and temporary parental benefit (VAB) [pay for time off to care for a sick child] work, and how you apply on time.Föräldrapenning Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Ansök om föräldrapenning Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Vab – när barnet är sjukt Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
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Family advice and support for parents
What support families can get from the municipality and from helplines when parenting or the relationship is difficult.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
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Launch price 49 SEK/month
Family advice and support for parents. What support families can get from the municipality and from helplines when parenting or the relationship is difficult.Stöd från kommunen Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Stödlinjer för föräldrar Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Det är okej att be om hjälp Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
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Children's safety and protection from violence
Children's right to protection from violence, where children can get help, and how an adult makes an orosanmälan (report of concern).
Children's safety and protection from violence. Children's right to protection from violence, where children can get help, and how an adult makes an orosanmälan (report of concern).All violence against children is banned
Children have the right to care, safety and a good upbringing. Under the Föräldrabalken (Parenthood and Guardianship Code), children may not be given physical punishment or other degrading treatment. This also applies to discipline. Children who see or hear violence between adults in the family are also affected.
Important: If a child is in immediate danger: call 112.
Help for children
- Bris (children's helpline) 116 111: call, text, chat or email. It is free and anonymous, every day.
- An adult at school, for example the school nurse, the school counsellor or a teacher.
- Social services in your municipality.
Making a report of concern
If you are worried that a child is being harmed, you can make a report of concern to social services. All adults can do this. Some professions, such as school and health care staff, must make a report. Social services then decide if the child needs support or protection.
Tip: You do not need to be sure that something has happened. It is enough that you are worried.
If you are a parent and experience violence
Kvinnofridslinjen (the women's helpline) 116 016 answers around the clock. It is free and you can be anonymous. Social services can arrange a safe place to live for you and your children.
Sources
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Children and daily life online
How you can talk to your child about mobile phones, games and social media, and where to go if something happens online.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
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Launch price 49 SEK/month
Children and daily life online. How you can talk to your child about mobile phones, games and social media, and where to go if something happens online.Var nyfiken och prata Locked
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Saker att vara uppmärksam på Locked
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Stöd för barn och unga Locked
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Sources
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Separation and working together for children
What applies to children when parents separate: cooperation talks, agreements, child maintenance and divorce.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
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Launch price 49 SEK/month
Separation and working together for children. What applies to children when parents separate: cooperation talks, agreements, child maintenance and divorce.Sätt barnet i centrum Locked
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Samarbetssamtal och avtal Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Underhåll Locked
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Om ni är gifta Locked
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Sources
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Social services: support and checks on a case
What social services do when they get a report of concern, your rights when you are in contact with them and what LVU [the law on compulsory care for young people] means.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Social services: support and checks on a case. What social services do when they get a report of concern, your rights when you are in contact with them and what LVU [the law on compulsory care for young people] means.Socialtjänstens uppdrag Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Dina rättigheter Locked
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Vård enligt LVU Locked
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Sources
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Guide: Under 18 and without parents in Sweden
Who helps you with housing, papers and safety when your parents cannot be here.
Guide: Under 18 and without parents in Sweden. Who helps you with housing, papers and safety when your parents cannot be here.Who is responsible for me?
Contact social services in the place where you live if you do not have an adult who looks after you. Tell them where you live and what help you need. Social services will look into what support and protection you need. You do not have to solve everything alone.
- Ask for the name of your social worker and how you can reach that person.
- Tell them if you need an interpreter. Ask them to explain the information so that you understand.
Tip: A teacher or another adult you trust can help you make contact.
God man, representative and legal guardian
A god man (a person who helps with official matters) or a representative helps you with authorities, papers and money. This person is not the same as the person who looks after you every day at your housing. The Guardianship Authority (Överförmyndaren) in the municipality handles questions about god man. A specially appointed legal guardian is chosen by the district court (tingsrätten) and takes responsibility for your legal custody.
- The rules for unaccompanied children (ensamkommande barn) changed on 12 June 2026. For an asylum application before that date, a god man is used. For an application for international protection from that date, a representative (företrädare) is used. Other situations can still be covered by a god man.
- If you have been given a residence permit, the social welfare committee (socialnämnden) may need to apply for a specially appointed legal guardian. If your parents later leave Sweden, your own needs must be looked into.
- Ask who may sign papers for you. Ask the person to explain decisions and to go with you to important meetings.
Where will I live?
Social services decide what housing you need. A foster family (familjehem) is a family that takes care of you. A HVB (home for care or housing) has staff and support. Supported housing (stödboende) is your own place to live, with support that fits your needs.
- Supported housing is for young people aged 16 to 20. If you are 16 or 17, special reasons are needed. It is not a usual choice for a 15-year-old.
- You should be able to say what you think. Tell social services if you feel unsafe or want contact with family and other close people.
When your parents have to leave Sweden
Ask the Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) to explain what applies in your own case. A decision about your parents is not enough information to decide what applies to you. Get help from your representative, god man or legal guardian.
- The Migration Agency says that a legal adviser can be given to an unaccompanied child who applies for international protection, when needed. For asylum applications made before 12 June 2026, a public counsel (offentligt biträde, a lawyer paid for by the state) is used. Ask what support applies in your case.
- Ask for an interpreter and an explanation of decisions, deadlines and next steps. Do not sign anything you do not understand.
Important: This guide cannot tell you whether you can stay in Sweden. Ask the person who helps you with your case to check your decision.
What to do in the first week
How to do it
- Contact social services. Tell them if you do not have a safe place to sleep.
- Find out who helps you with official matters and papers. Save their contact details.
- Ask for a meeting about housing, school, health care and money. Ask for an interpreter if needed.
- Read letters and decisions together with the person who represents you. Ask what you need to do now.
Do it online
Important: Be careful if someone offers housing, work or money but asks for secrets, sex, crime or work you cannot leave. Tell social services or the police. Call 112 in an emergency. You can also call Bris (children's helpline) on 116 111 for support.
Sources
- Migrationsverket: Rollen som företrädare eller god man (opens in a new tab)
- Migrationsverket: Information för barn som sökt asyl (opens in a new tab)
- Socialstyrelsen: Social omsorg för asylsökande (opens in a new tab)
- Riksdagen: Socialtjänstlag (2025:400) (opens in a new tab)
- Riksdagen: Lag om god man för ensamkommande barn (opens in a new tab)
- Riksdagen: Föräldrabalken (opens in a new tab)
- Bris: Stöd till barn (opens in a new tab)
- SOS Alarm: Nödnumret 112 (opens in a new tab)
- Jämställdhetsmyndigheten: Vad är människohandel? (opens in a new tab)
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School, money and healthcare when you live without your parents
How you get help with school, benefits, dental care and how you feel.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
School, money and healthcare when you live without your parents. How you get help with school, benefits, dental care and how you feel.Vem hjälper mig med skolan? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Vem får pengarna? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Tänder, hälsa och stöd Locked
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Sources
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Your rights as a child in Sweden without your parents
Being listened to, telling someone when something is wrong and understanding what LVU [the law on compulsory care for young people] means.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Your rights as a child in Sweden without your parents. Being listened to, telling someone when something is wrong and understanding what LVU [the law on compulsory care for young people] means.Du har rätt att bli lyssnad på Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
När något inte fungerar Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Vad betyder LVU? Locked
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Sources
General information, not individual legal, medical or financial advice.