Sweden is one of few countries where all pupils are entitled to free school meals. In compulsory school, free lunch has been mandated by law since 1997. Since 2022, the Education Act also guarantees free school meals in upper secondary school.
Quality
School meals must be nutritious according to the guidelines of the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket). Quality varies between schools and municipalities. The cost of school meals represents a significant share of cost per pupil — on average approximately SEK 7,000–8,000 per pupil per year.