Sweden sets 2026 spending as caretaker-budget baseline

Sweden’s caretaker government plans to carry 2026 spending levels into its 2027 budget proposal, while allowing specified adjustments and letting temporary programmes expire as scheduled.

The principles published by Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson on Tuesday apply if no new government takes office before the 12 November budget-submission deadline. The government says they have been discussed with all eight parliamentary parties.

Administrative and investment appropriations would receive normal price and wage adjustments. Rule-based benefits would be recalculated for changes in the economy and the number of people covered.

Allocations could also change to honour adopted laws, binding agreements and EU rules, reflect parliament’s transfers of responsibilities, or keep essential public functions running. Clearly temporary initiatives due to end this year would not be extended.

Politically uncontroversial legislation could be included where parties agree and the measures cannot take effect in the current budget year.

These are drafting principles, not an adopted spending plan. The government expects a caretaker budget to be changed as soon as a new cabinet takes office and parliament approves its amending budget.

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