Compulsory schooling (skolplikt) means that all children residing in Sweden are required to participate in education in compulsory school or an equivalent school type. Compulsory schooling begins in the autumn term of the calendar year the child turns 6 (preschool class) and applies through year 9 or until the child turns 18.
What does it mean in practice?
Guardians are obligated to ensure that their child attends school. The municipality is obligated to offer all children a place in a compulsory school near their home. If a child does not fulfil the compulsory schooling requirement, the municipality can issue an injunction to the guardians, ultimately with a fine.
Exceptions
In exceptional cases, compulsory schooling can be fulfilled in other ways, for example through residence abroad or, in rare cases, home schooling (which requires the municipality's approval). Upper-secondary school is not covered by compulsory schooling — it is voluntary.