Sweden

Compulsory Education Age

7–16 years old

Legal Status

Homeschooling has no tradition in Sweden, and is almost non-existent. The new school law explicitly states that it is not allowed except in extraordinary circumstances.

Since education in the Swedish schools must always be comprehensive and objective, and be organized in a way that everybody can participate regardless of his or her religious belief or philosophical persuasion, the legislator has drawn the conclusion that there is no need for any regulation that entitles parents to provide homeschooling for their children. But the Education Act recognizes that exceptional circumstances might occur which would be a reason to allow a child to fulfill the duty to participate in compulsory education in another way than by attendance at school.

The conditions for such an arrangement are very restrictive; it can only be permitted for one year at a time, and there must be an extraordinary reason. Parents must apply to the municipal board of education, with an opportunity to appeal to the Administrative court if approval is denied.

Families who had been home educating successfully for many years prior to 2011 were suddenly denied permission and threatened with the social authorities and fines of up to 20,000 euros per child and year. This has led to Swedish home educators fleeing Sweden to other nearby countries where home education is permitted.