The leisure card for children and young people promised by the government is proposed to come into force in October 2025. A higher amount is earmarked for children in socioeconomically vulnerable families. But it is unclear whether the cards will have the desired effect.
According to the government's proposal, children and young people between the ages of 8 and 16 will be able to apply for a leisure card that can be used to pay for certain leisure activities, including activities at cultural schools and local sports clubs and youth organizations.
The government is proposing two cards, a general leisure card of 500 kronor per year and child, and a special leisure card of 2,000 kronor per year and child. The higher amount is earmarked for households with preliminary housing allowance. The leisure card will not affect the maintenance support.
"The wallet should not determine children's opportunity for an active leisure time", says Social Minister Jakob Forssmed (KD) in a press release.
It is unclear how many children and young people will actually use a leisure card. According to the Social Department's own memorandum, a relatively high proportion of children and young people in Sweden already participate in leisure activities today. The effect of the card also depends on how many organizers of leisure activities join the leisure card. When evaluating trials with similar cards in Norway and Iceland, they have primarily been used by households with good economy.
Originally, the leisure card was supposed to start being used in 2024. Now it is proposed to come into force in 2025.
