(edit title) Question about föräldrapenning Any help appreciated Options

[*Guest*]

Hey, I'm new to the "parent money" deal in Sweden. Here is my situation - I have been on a "visitors permit" working as a volunteer in an international organization here for the past few years and now I just got approved for a "work permit". A year and a half ago my wife had a baby here in Sweden, but we were ineligible for föräldrapenning because of our status with the migration board, which makes sense. However, now we are eligible to apply for föräldrapenning because of my new status, but I'm wondering if we will receive any money for our baby who is a year and a half now. We have been in Sweden this whole time, but have received no föräldrapenning or barnbidrag. What happens when people move here but have kids who are young - do they still get money from försäkringskassen?

Any help much appreciated. Thanks.

[Peter Thomas]

Good news. You are entitled to it. You can choose when you take it.

[jamesblish]

Really, that works retroactively? That's just nuts.

[Yorkshireman]

Not only retrospectively, but You also get the full allowance of parent days. This is why there is a proposal to change the rules to only allow 1/5th of the days to be carried across once the child is 4yrs old or greater.

[jamesblish]

Alright, thanks. The whole things sounds completely crazy to me. If you're not a citizen when the baby's born, I fail to see why you should get any parent money - now or retroactively.

[Taxalien]

That kind of insanity is common place here in Sweden.

But note that you end up paying for that benefit for the rest of your working life here, if you choose to stay, so don't think you are not entitled at all for it.

[Yorkshireman]

That kind of insanity is common place here in Sweden.

One could argue that point, and state that this is not Sweden specific with regards how certain rules are applied, it is also due to EU Freedom of Movement. A citizen of a Member State should not be penalised by their own Member State if they have taken advantage of the Freedom of Movement. This means that, for example, if a Swedish Citizen goes to Germany, uses the Right of Residence, gives birth to a child, and came back to Sweden to live ...if the Swedish State then said, sorry no parent leave monies because the child was not born in Sweden ...They would be breaking EU Law by penalising the Swedish Citizen for using the Freedom of Movement.

But note that you end up paying for that benefit for the rest of your working life here, if you choose to stay, so don't think you are not entitled at all for it.

Technically, You do not pay for the benefit, employers do via the social taxes that companies pay when they employ someone. You take advantage of the benefit, but since it only covers a portion of Your salary, to take the days often means losing a degree of income.

[Taxalien]

Technically, You do not pay for the benefit, employers do via the social taxes that companies pay when they employ someone. You take advantage of the benefit, but since it onl ... (show full quote)

Technically, You do not pay for the benefit, employers do via the social taxes that companies pay when they employ someone. You take advantage of the benefit, but since it only covers a portion of Your salary, to take the days often means losing a degree of income. ... (hide full quote)

I've heard that argument to death. The money comes from a business surplus funds after other fixed and trading expenses have been paid off. The money can be used to pay shareholders or its employees. In Sweden a substantial part goes off to fund the many fantasy castles the political nobility is so keen on promoting.

I am my own employer btw. I have been in business since the latter half of the 1990s. I have traded in three jurisdictions.

In the UK the take home rate was all but 28% in total taxes.
In Germany the take home rate was all but 17% in total taxes.
In Sweden the take home rate was what was left after some 58% were paid in taxes.

It matters. Big time.