Who pays for personal assistance allowance?

Responsibility for personal assistance in Sweden is shared between the municipality and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). Which authority is responsible for decisions and payments depends on the extent of the individual’s need for personal assistance.

If a person requires help with their basic needs for more than 20 hours per week, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency is responsible for:

• assessing the individual’s needs

• making a decision regarding entitlement to personal assistance allowance

• paying out the personal assistance allowance
   

If the need for assistance with basic needs is 20 hours per week or less, responsibility instead lies with the municipality. In such cases, the municipality decides on personal assistance and covers the related costs. The municipality always makes an individual assessment and there is no minimum number of hours required.
 

How is the personal assistance allowance paid?

The personal assistance allowance is paid as a standard hourly rate. This amount is intended to cover all costs related to personal assistance, including:

• wages for personal assistants

• employer contributions and social security contributions

• holiday pay

• training and supervision

• administration and other necessary assistance-related costs, such as expense allowances

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Hourly rate for personal assistance allowance

The Swedish government determines the standard hourly rate for personal assistance allowance on an annual basis.

For 2026, the following applies:

• New hourly rate: SEK 347.70 per hour

• Increase: 1.5% compared to 2025

• Indexation: No automatic indexation has been introduced
   

This means that the hourly rate is not automatically adjusted in line with wage increases or rising costs. Any future increase in the personal assistance allowance must therefore be decided through political processes each year.

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What does the lack of indexation mean?

The absence of indexation means that:

• the allowance does not automatically follow cost developments in society

• increased wages and operating costs are not always fully covered

• future increases depend on political decisions

This can affect personal assistance providers and personal assistants, as well as the individual receiving assistance, since the allowance must cover the full cost of the assistance.

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Do you have questions?

If you have questions about how the allowance works or what applies in your specific situation, you are always welcome to contact us. We are happy to help clarify what applies and discuss the available options.

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