Can I bring family members to Sweden while studying?
Bringing family members to Sweden during your Bachelor’s or Master’s studies requires careful planning and arrangements. It is crucial to consider several important factors, such as obtaining residence permits, finding suitable accommodation, and coordinating childcare services.
Please note
Uppsala University does not assist with relocating family members to Sweden. The services provided by Uppsala University are for the admitted student only.
It is not advisable to bring children to Sweden if you have been accepted into a joint programme with mandatory mobility, where each term takes place in a different location.
Residence permits and insurance
Residence permits
You can apply for residence permits for an accompanying partner or child/children. However please note that you will have to submit bank statements showing that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family members during your period of study. You can find further information on the Migration Agency’s website.
Please note that if you hold a residence permit for Sweden based on studies and plan to take parental leave, you may be required to leave Sweden and interrupt your studies. Your residence permit could be revoked if you take a leave of absence from your studies.
Insurance
You will also need to purchase private insurance for your family members. The university provides emergency health insurance for the individual student, but this insurance does not cover family members.
Even if you are planning on registering with the Tax Agency and applying for Swedish personal identity numbers for your family members, they will need additional private insurance for the period during which their application is handled by the Tax Agency.
Healthcare in Sweden can be expensive, so it is essential to have appropriate insurance coverage during your stay. If you have children under school age, they should have regular check-ups at the Child Health Center (BVC).
Childcare services
If you require childcare services, it is important to find a preschool or school and apply for a spot as early as possible, as waiting lists can be long. You cannot rely on having a place in a school or preschool from the day you start your studies.
In Sweden, children under one year old cannot attend preschool. This means that if you have a child younger than one, you will need a partner or another caregiver to look after the child. Private childcare options are virtually nonexistent in Sweden.
Please note that preschool services are not free of charge.
In Sweden, school is compulsory for children from first grade (age 6) to ninth grade (age 15–16), and the municipality in which you live is required to offer a place in school for your child.
For more information, visit the following links:
Accommodation for families
There are a number of different housing options for students, including student dormitory rooms, apartments and shared houses. The housing guarantee for fee-paying students and exchange students is only offered for the individual student and we are unfortunately not able to provide accommodation for families.
If you need a more roomy accommodation than a student room, you have to arrange your own accommodation while in Sweden. Please note that this can be very time-consuming as apartments are more difficult to find than student rooms.
For more information, visit the following links:
Student Pregnancy and Parental Leave in Sweden
If you are pregnant and planning to give birth in Sweden, there are several important factors to consider. While Sweden offers high-quality healthcare, including maternal care, there are certain aspects that may not be covered or may come with high costs.
The FAS+ insurance provided by the university covers emergency healthcare during your studies but does not cover all expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth. For example, if your newborn requires medical care, such as time in the neonatal unit, the costs can be extremely high. Additionally, your child will not automatically receive Swedish residency or citizenship, and will need to go through the appropriate application process.
Swedish maternity care is excellent, and you will have access to prenatal care through the Swedish healthcare system. However, please note that if you hold a residence permit for Sweden based on studies and plan to take parental leave, you may be required to leave Sweden and interrupt your studies. Your residence permit could be revoked if you take a leave of absence from your studies.
If you are pregnant and expecting to give birth after arriving in Sweden, we strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to start your studies this year. It may be better to wait until your child is old enough to attend preschool (one year or older) before starting your studies in Sweden.