(edit title) New, pregnant & self-employed Moving to Sweden in Aug'12, 3 months pregnant Options

[gaffal]

Hello,
My swedish husband and I have been living together in Singapore for several years, and now moving to Sweden in August for good (hopefully!) - waiting for my UT to be approved.

A day ago, we found out that we're pregnant (hurrah! but scary) and this means us making a rather large change to our plans. I have some questions that I hope you veterans out there can help enlighten:

1. I'm planning to open a branch of a company that I had established in Singapore. Do self-employed mothers receive the same benefits as employed mothers?

2. Assuming I choose to find a full-time employment instead, and received a negative response, would it be legally wrong for me not to disclose to potential employers that I am expecting?

Any advise with regards to moving to Sweden while pregnant, are most welcome.
Thanks in advance!

[byke]

I think you have to be employed by an employer for X amount of time before you are able to take paid maternity leave. Given you are already 3 months up the duff (congrats by the way) I don't think employment time would leave you eligible.

[johnjohn]

Congratulations! Maternity leave is based upon your income in Sweden which is 80 percent of your pay using the 240 days prior to giving birth as the basis. You do not qualify but you can receive ¨barnbidrag¨a certain amount given for all children. I do not know about what you need to discuss with prospective employers. Hopefully you will have your UT by August as planned. Depending on whether you applied on line or by post, and the workload it could take two or three months to one year. The summer holidays starting means virtually nothing gets done during that month. Good luck with the new family.

[Puffin]

Parental benefits are based on your incomes during the period 240 days prior to the birth based on the social insurance payments made by employers plus income - however everyone gets the minimum level of 180 kr/day even if you have never worked in Sweden

However it is much more complicated to get eraningsrelated benefits as a self employed person as it will depend on the income you are paying yourself plus the level of social insurance contributions you make - (I think you will also need to register your company in Sweden if you want to claim Swedish benefits) - however best to check with Försäkringskassan about your situation

[menrva]

Hi there, congratulations on your new expectancy!
Like you, I'm planning to move to my bf's in Sweden from Singapore come end of the year (currently awaiting approval from the migration board). Though I am obviously in no position to give you any sound advice on your situation, I just thought it might be nice for us to get acquainted ahead of the 'Big Move'. Where in Sweden are you moving to, may I ask? Truth be told, I'm a little nervous about moving there, so it'll be comforting to know a fellow Singaporean (I'm assuming that you are) whilst I endeavor to acclimatize there. Drop me a line!

[gaffal]

Thanks all, for your reply and well wishes!

The initial plan was to open a branch of the company I have, and begin life in Stockholm. However, after this pleasant surprise, I reckon we'll be more comfortable in a laid-back smaller city/town... I'd really hate to be on any kind of social benefit to be honest, and it'd be perfect to have a job before my maternity leave. However it's understood that most companies would be rather hesitant to employ someone who may probably never return for more than 6 months later! God knows what we'd do here in Singapore if faced with the same situation

I guess my only best bet at the moment is to live off my life savings for a whole year till my husband is eligible for pappa ledig, and then go back to work with a vengeance!