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How much housing benefit can you get? Calculate for free
Calculate your Swedish housing benefit with 2026 rules. Covers young adults, families with children, and retirees. See exactly how much you qualify for.
Housing Benefit Calculator 2026
Calculate your housing benefit step-by-step
Interest, dividends, stock sales. Assets over 100,000 kr are converted to deemed income.
Estimated housing benefit
Not eligible
Your annual income (180 000 kr) exceeds the maximum of 86 720 kr. You are not eligible.
Estimate based on Försäkringskassan 2026 rules. Actual amount may differ. Always verify with Försäkringskassan.
Looking for an apartment?
HomeSpotter monitors the market 24/7 and matches you with first-hand contracts that fit your budget.
Find apartmentThe decision is valid for a maximum of 12 months, then you must reapply.
Processing time: typically around 3 months.
Counts as income
- Salary (gross)
- Unemployment benefits
- Parental benefit
- Sickness benefit
- CSN study grant
- Capital income (interest, dividends)
- Assets over 100,000 kr
Does not count
- CSN student loans
- Electricity, insurance, internet
- Child allowance
- Social assistance
Key takeaways
- Three groups are eligible for housing benefit: young adults aged 18-28, families with children, and people receiving sickness or activity compensation. Retirees apply for housing supplement (bostadstillägg) instead.
- Up to SEK 1,300/month for young adults without children, up to SEK 6,200/month for families with three or more children. Retirees can receive up to SEK 7,290/month in housing supplement.
- All taxable income counts: salary, unemployment benefits, parental allowance, and the CSN study grant portion. Student loans are excluded. Assets exceeding SEK 100,000 are converted to deemed income.
- The Social Insurance Agency compares your actual income with your estimate each year. If you earned more than reported, you may have to repay the difference.
- Apply online at forsakringskassan.se. The benefit is paid monthly and you can update your income estimate at any time.
Find a home that fits your budget
With HomeSpotter you can search rental apartments in Stockholm and filter by rent, size, and area. Perfect if you want to find a home that qualifies for housing benefit.
Who is eligible for housing benefit?
Three groups can apply for housing benefit. Retirees apply for housing supplement via the Swedish Pensions Agency instead.
Housing benefit (bostadsbidrag) is a government subsidy for low-income households that need help covering their housing costs. It is administered by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) and paid monthly.
Young adults (aged 18-28 without children) can receive benefit if they live alone or share a home with another adult. The maximum amount is SEK 1,300 per month. You must be registered at the address and have a rental or housing cooperative contract.
Families with children are eligible regardless of the parents' age. The benefit increases with the number of children and can reach SEK 6,200 per month for families with three or more children. Single parents are also covered.
People receiving sickness or activity compensation can apply regardless of age and whether they have children. The rules are similar to those for young adults with some adjustments.
Retirees are not covered by housing benefit. Instead, they apply for housing supplement (bostadstillägg) through the Swedish Pensions Agency. It is a separate system with its own rules and higher maximum amounts.
How much can you get in 2026?
| Group | Max/month | Income limit (year) | Max area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young adults 18-28, no children | SEK 1,300 | SEK 86,720 | 60 sqm |
| Family, 1 child | SEK 4,200 | SEK 117,000 | 80 sqm |
| Family, 2 children | SEK 5,200 | SEK 117,000 | 100 sqm |
| Family, 3+ children | SEK 6,200 | SEK 117,000 | 120 sqm |
| Retirees (housing supplement) | SEK 7,290 | Varies | No limit |
How to apply step by step
The easiest way to apply is through Försäkringskassan's online portal. Processing time is typically around 3 months. The decision is valid for a maximum of 12 months.
Log in to Försäkringskassan
Go to forsakringskassan.se and log in with BankID. Select "Apply for housing benefit" under Housing.
Enter your details
Provide your housing cost (rent), apartment size in square metres, number of people in the household, and whether you have children. Registration details are pulled automatically.
Estimate your annual income
Enter your estimated annual income before tax. Include salary, unemployment benefits, CSN grant, and other taxable income. Be accurate, as incorrect figures can lead to repayment demands.
Declare any assets
If you have assets (savings, stocks, funds) exceeding SEK 100,000, you must declare them. The amount above the threshold is converted into deemed income.
Submit your application
Review your details and submit. Processing typically takes around 3 months. The benefit is paid on the 25th of each month.
Update when things change
If your income, rent, or family situation changes during the year, log in and update immediately. This reduces the risk of repayment demands at the annual reconciliation.
What counts as income?
All taxable income affects your housing benefit. Student loans and child allowance are exceptions.
Försäkringskassan calculates based on your total annual income before tax. This includes salary, unemployment benefits, sickness benefits, parental allowance, activity compensation, and pension. Income from self-employment also counts.
The CSN study grant (approximately SEK 3,572/month in 2026) is counted as taxable income. The student loan is not. If you study full-time with full CSN, only the grant portion affects the calculation, not the loan.
Child allowance and maintenance support are not counted as income when calculating housing benefit. Neither is housing benefit itself or financial assistance (socialbidrag).
Capital income such as interest, dividends, and capital gains is included. If you have assets (bank accounts, funds, stocks, cryptocurrencies) exceeding SEK 100,000, deemed income is calculated on the amount above the threshold. The rate is based on the Riksbank reference rate plus one percentage point.
If you are cohabiting or married, your incomes are combined and split equally. This means a partner's high income can reduce or eliminate the benefit, even if the other partner has low income.
Housing supplement for retirees (bostadstillägg)
Retirees apply for housing supplement through the Swedish Pensions Agency. The system has higher maximum amounts and different rules.
Housing supplement (bostadstillägg) is the equivalent of housing benefit for people aged 67 or older who have withdrawn their full pension including premium pension. It is administered by the Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten), not Försäkringskassan.
The compensation is calculated as 96% of housing costs up to SEK 5,000 per month, plus 70% of costs between SEK 5,001 and SEK 7,500. The maximum housing supplement is SEK 7,290 per month for singles.
Unlike housing benefit, there is no limit on the size of your home. You can live in a 200 sqm house and still receive housing supplement. It is the housing cost, not the area, that determines the amount.
Both those receiving guaranteed pension and those with income pension can apply. Assets over SEK 100,000 (single) or SEK 200,000 (couple) reduce the benefit. Applications are made at pensionsmyndigheten.se.
Housing benefit vs housing supplement
| Housing benefit | Housing supplement | |
|---|---|---|
| Target group | Young adults 18-28, families, sickness compensation | Retirees (67+ with old-age pension) |
| Agency | Försäkringskassan | Pensionsmyndigheten |
| Max amount/month | SEK 6,200 (family 3+ children) | SEK 7,290 |
| Size limit | 60-120 sqm depending on household | No limit |
| Annual reconciliation | Yes, against Tax Agency data | Yes, but with different calculation rules |
| Asset threshold | SEK 100,000 (deemed income above) | More generous threshold |
| Application | forsakringskassan.se | pensionsmyndigheten.se |
Common mistakes to avoid
These errors lead to repayment demands, rejections, or delayed payments. Avoid them from the start.
- Reporting too low an income. The most common mistake. You will not get away with it. Försäkringskassan reconciles against the Tax Agency every year.
- Forgetting summer jobs and extra income. Even temporary income counts. Update your estimate regularly.
- Not counting the CSN grant. The student loan does not count, but the grant portion of SEK 3,572/month (2026) is taxable income.
- Not registering at the address. You must be registered (folkbokförd) where you live. Without correct registration, the application is rejected.
- Waiting to apply. Housing benefit is not paid retroactively. You receive it from the month you apply, not backwards.
- Forgetting to report a move or separation. A changed family situation affects the benefit. Report it immediately to avoid repayment demands.
- Ignoring the reconciliation decision. If you receive a repayment demand, contact Försäkringskassan. You can request an instalment plan.
Checklist: documents you need
Housing benefit is one of the most underutilised welfare benefits in Sweden. Many young adults and families who are entitled never apply, often because they do not know it exists or believe the process is complicated.
Interview on housing support in Sweden, 2025
Frequently asked questions
How much housing benefit can I get as a young adult without children?
Up to SEK 1,300 per month if you are between 18 and 28 years old and live without children. The exact amount depends on your rent (benefit is calculated on rent between SEK 1,800 and 3,600/month), apartment size (max 60 sqm), and annual income (max SEK 86,720). The benefit decreases gradually as your income increases.
Does CSN count as income for housing benefit?
Partially. The study grant from CSN (approximately SEK 3,572/month in 2026) is counted as taxable income and affects the calculation. The student loan is not counted. If you study full-time for 9 months, the grant portion amounts to roughly SEK 32,148 per year, which you should include in your income estimate.
Can I get housing benefit if I sublet?
Yes, you can receive housing benefit even when subletting. The requirement is that you are registered (folkbokförd) at the address and that the rent is reasonable for the apartment's size and location. You need a valid contract. Försäkringskassan may verify that the rent is not unreasonably high.
Do I have to repay housing benefit?
Yes, if your actual annual income was higher than the estimate you provided. Försäkringskassan performs an annual reconciliation, typically in March, using data from the Swedish Tax Agency. Amounts under SEK 1,200 are not collected. If you earned less than reported, you may receive additional payment in return.
Do my savings affect housing benefit?
Yes, if your total assets exceed SEK 100,000. The amount above the threshold is converted into deemed annual income using a standard rate based on the Riksbank reference rate plus one percentage point. This applies to bank savings, stocks, funds, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. Property you live in does not count.
What is the difference between housing benefit and housing supplement?
Housing benefit (bostadsbidrag) targets young adults aged 18-28, families with children, and people on sickness compensation. It is administered by Försäkringskassan. Housing supplement (bostadstillägg) is for retirees aged 67+ and is administered by the Swedish Pensions Agency. Housing supplement has higher maximum amounts (SEK 7,290/month for singles) and no apartment size limit.
How long does it take to receive housing benefit?
Processing time is typically around 3 months. The benefit is paid on the 25th of each month. You receive it from the month you submit your application, not retroactively. The decision is valid for a maximum of 12 months, then you must reapply. Apply as early as possible after moving in.
Find a home that fits your budget
With HomeSpotter you can search rental apartments in Stockholm and filter by rent, size, and area. Perfect if you want to find a home that qualifies for housing benefit.