Home education in Sweden (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Children resident in Sweden must attend school. Home education is only possible if the home municipality allows another way of fulfilling the school duty, which requires exceptional reasons and is granted for up to a year at a time.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Legal status of home educationChildren of compulsory school age | No general right; narrow exemptions only [1] |
| Nature of the parental dutyChildren of compulsory school age | Duty to attend or be enrolled at school [1] |
| Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age | There is no general right to home education. The child's home municipality may allow a child to fulfil the school duty in another way. Permission is to be given when the activity is a fully adequate alternative to the education otherwise available, the need for insight into the activity can be met, and there are exceptional reasons (synnerliga skäl). Permission is given for up to one year at a time and is withdrawn if the conditions no longer apply. [1] |
| Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age | The school duty begins in the autumn term of the calendar year in which the child turns six (it may be postponed to the year the child turns seven if there are special reasons) and ends at the end of the spring term in the tenth year after the child began, or one year later if the pupil has not finished the top year, at the latest at age 18. [1] |
Notes
- The Education Act requires exceptional reasons (synnerliga skäl) in addition to an adequate alternative and sufficient insight; the municipality decides.
Sources
- Sveriges riksdag: Skollag (2010:800) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.