Sweden’s recovery and resilience – Supported projects: Reforms

Disclaimer: This page exclusively serves information purposes and is not an exhaustive database of projects funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Notably, the map provides a snapshot of projects based on the current status of their implementation. It does not reflect the distribution of the projects funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility across the different areas within Sweden. The map will be regularly updated to include additional projects and information. The showcase of the projects in this page is without prejudice to any future assessment by the Commission in the context of the verification of the satisfactory fulfilment of milestones and targets pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The measure references mentioned below are those contained in the Annex to the Council Implementing Decision approving the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Sweden and allow for easy identification of the measures

For more info on the projects, please contact the Commission’s representation in Sweden:
Maya Jollès, Economic adviser/European Semester Officer, baiba [dot] grandovskaec [dot] europa [dot] eu (maya[dot]jolles[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu), +46 856244411

Higher compensation for vocational training combined with Swedish language training

(Reference 23 in the Swedish Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The reform (an ordinance) establishes an increased state compensation rate for training courses that combine vocational training in for instance health- and social care with Swedish language training. The implementation was completed in 2021.

More information can be found on the webpage of the Swedish National Agency for Education: https://www.skolverket.se/publikationsserier/regeringsuppdrag/2022/skolverkets-uppdrag-att-delta-i-sveriges-aterhamtningsplan

Better prerequisites in housing construction

(Reference 54 in the Swedish Recovery and Resilience Plan)

Specific amendments to the Planning and Building Act have led to better prerequisites in housing construction. The reform contributes to accelerating the building permit process. The reform came into force on 1 August 2022.

More information can be found on the webpage of the Swedish government: https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/proposition/2022/04/prop.-202122212/

Employment protection act and greater job transition possibilities

(Reference 33 in the Swedish Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The reform aims not only at modernising employment protection but also at providing better possibilities for workers to develop new skills and change job. Different legislative amendments came into force in 2022 in order to achieve this reform.

More information can be found on the webpage of the Swedish Parliament: https://riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/proposition/flexibilitet-omstallningsformaga-och-trygghet-pa_H903176

Broader involvement of stakeholders in zoning planning

(Reference 52 in the Swedish Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The reform aims at shortening the time it takes to plan zoning in areas where construction is allowed. More opportunities are given to stakeholders like property owners, developers or builders to initiate and partly to develop detailed zoning plans. The changes in the law entered into force on 1 August 2021.

More information can be found on the webpage of the government: https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/proposition/2021/03/prop.-202021131/

Pension reform

(Reference 37 in the Swedish Recovery and Resilience Plan)

This reform aims at increasing pensions and promoting a long working life in Sweden. Following the adoption by the Swedish parliament, the legislative amendments increased age limits in social security and tax systems by one year in 2023. Among other things, the earliest age for an income-based old-age pension has been raised from 62 to 63 years. The earliest age to receive a guaranteed pension, housing allowance for pensioners and support for the elderly also has been raised, from 65 years to 66 years. The reform came into force in 2022. In 2026 these age limits will be raised by one more year and connected to life expectancy at 65 years.

More information can be found on the webpage of the Swedish Parliament: here