Fritidskortet struggles to reach children under financial pressure

A year after its launch, Sweden's activity subsidy is still seeing limited use among children whose families face the greatest financial pressure. Some households can claim substantially more than the basic amount.

Fritidskortet helps pay for organised sport, cultural activities and outdoor recreation. Sveriges Radio reports that fewer children used the higher grant than the basic grant during the scheme's first autumn.

That comparison alone does not establish the proportion of eligible children reached in either group.

Under the current rules, support runs from the calendar year a child turns six through the year they turn 16. Payments must go to a participating association or municipal arts school.

The basic annual amount is SEK 550. Guardians who received housing allowance, bostadsbidrag, or housing supplement, bostadstillägg, in the previous year can apply for SEK 2,500 per child.

For families checking eligibility, the distinction matters: the higher amount is tied to those housing benefits, rather than low income alone.

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