Hushållsnära

Hushållsnära is a Swedish term used as an adjective to describe goods or services that are closely connected to a private household. The phrase is most often encountered in the context of hushållsnära tjänster, meaning services performed in or for the home to assist with domestic tasks. The word is a compound of hushåll (household) and nära (near/close), and it is widely used in policy discussions, media, and everyday language to distinguish domestic-oriented offerings from other types of services.

In policy and public discourse, hushållsnära tjänster are linked to the Rut-avdrag, a tax deduction designed to reduce the cost of labor performed in private homes. Introduced in 2007, the Rut-avdrag enables households to receive a partial tax reduction on labor costs for services performed at home. The deduction is administered by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) and is claimed through invoices from approved service providers. Eligibility depends on the work being conducted in a private residence and on the provider meeting regulatory requirements. The broader goals of the program include reducing informal work, improving working conditions in domestic sectors, and supporting the care and service economy.

Typical examples of hushållsnära tjänster include cleaning, laundry and ironing, window cleaning, gardening, minor home repairs, and certain forms of child care or elder care performed in the home. The term is also used more generally in marketing and public discussion to denote products or arrangements that facilitate household life, often emphasizing convenience and proximity to the home.

See also: hushållsnära tjänster, Rut-avdrag, Rot-avdrag.