Reception - Sweden

Click on the section title below to read more

Content navigation

Reception - Sweden | DIP EUAA

PDF generated on 2026-01-14 22:06

The information on this page has been validated by the national administration.

Sweden is bound by the recast Reception Conditions Directive; however no transposition was implemented as the reception system was deemed in line with the standards set out in the directive. Reception is regulated by the Law on Reception of Asylum Seekers and Others, 1994:137 | Lag (1994:137) om mottagande av asylsökande m.fl.

11/05/1994: Law on Reception of Asylum Seekers and Others, 1994:137 | Lag (1994:137) om mottagande av asylsökande m.fl. and Ordinance on the Act on Reception of Asylum Seekers, 1994:361 | Förordning (1994:361) om lagen om mottagande av asylsökande m.fl. 1994:361

Authority responsible for receptionThe Swedish Migration Agency | Migrationsverket (SMA), except for unaccompanied minors
Other actors involved

Local municipalities are responsible for the accommodation of unaccompanied minors and their general welfare

NGOs can carry out some activities, for example family tracing, on ad hoc and voluntary basis

Reception is managed at a central level. The SMA has Reception Units in three regions and carries has executive and financial responsibility over reception facilities.

The daily management of centres is divided between centres which are rented and managed by the SMA and flats which the SMA visits regularly to ensure a healthy living environment. The SMA can outsource housing to contractors through tenders.

Accommodation for asylum seekers can vary between sharing a flat with other applicants, staying in collective reception centres with a shared kitchen and bathroom, or in private housing with relatives or friends.  ​​​​​​​

All new asylum seekers should be accommodated in one of the SMA's accommodation facilities to be entitled to financial support (daily allowance and special allowance). If the applicant was registered in a reception centre before 1 March, the asylum seeker must move into and live in the accommodation that was allocated by 31 August 2025. However, this does not apply if the applicant lives with immediate family who already reside in Sweden or if there are other exceptional reasons. Applicants who live on their own are obliged to provide details about their residential address.

Reception centers are staffed by housing assistants and reception officers. The officers often have a background in behavioural science or political science. They are trained internally, for example, on vulnerable groups, treatment and interview methodology.

For other needs such as healthcare, applicants are referred to locally available resources.

The provision of reception conditions is triggered for all applicants upon making/registering an application for international protection unless they have sufficient means to sustain themselves.

During the process of screening, applicants are accommodated in a 'Step 1 accommodation' (first reception centre). 

Applicants who fall under the Dublin III Regulation or an accelerated procedure are allocated to a 'Step 2 accommodation', which is situated near the point of arrival, e.g. an international airport to facilitate an eventual return procedure. If an applicant does not fall under this category, they are allocated to a 'Step 3 accommodation', which can be anywhere in the country and is based on the availability of reception places and any special reception needs. The Step 3 accommodation of adult applicants and families with children consists of flats that the SMA rents around the country. Since there is a general shortage of housing in Sweden, the SMA cannot always choose where to establish accommodation, but the objective is to find long-term contracts in areas where there is good infrastructure for supermarkets, health centres and schools and good transport systems.

Material reception conditions are received for the entire asylum procedure until a final negative decision is received and once the deadline for a voluntary departure (4 weeks) has expired (except for persons with children) or until being found permanent housing in a municipality after having received a final decision granting protection. 

When the number of asylum applicants increases rapidly, the number of rented accommodations may prove to be insufficient. The Swedish Migration Agency will initially try to expand the number of flats rented, but applicants may be accommodated in other forms of housing, such as hotels, hostels, holiday villages, ships, schools, caravans, tents, etc.

During 2015, a contingency plan was operational. A temporary tent camp was set up in cooperation with the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency for a period of about 1 month. It was reported to be an expensive and not very practical alternative, used for emergency housing to accommodate applicants for a night or two while finding more sustainable housing during the asylum procedure.

Accommodation facilities vary depending on the location and the applicant’s status. Sometimes applicants for international protection are accommodated in regular flats and not in reception centres. The accommodation also differs depending on the number of persons in the reception system and availability in reception centres.​​​

Initial reception centres (arrival centres) | Ankomstboende (ABI): collective centres used for the duration of the screening procedure. They are the Step 1 of the reception system.

Collective housing | Kollektivt boende (ABK): The Step 3 accommodation of adult applicants and families with children consists of ordinary flats that the SMA rents across the country. The SMA rents a facility without staff. There is a shared kitchen with self-catering.

Residential | Bostadslägenheter (ABE): These are also part of the Step 3 accommodation  and consist of apartments that the SMA owns. Usually 4-5 people live in each apartment. This option gives asylum seekers the most freedom.

Hotel or hostel, emergency shelter, gymnasium: used in case of emergency when the capacity of ordinary reception is exhausted.

Name of  the reception facility n/a
Access description n/a
Managementn/a
Type of applicants accommodated n/a
Number of centresn/a
Capacityn/a
Location of the centres within the country n/a

Name of  the reception facility Initial reception centres (arrival centres) | Ankomstboende (ABI)
Regime Open
ManagementSwedish Migration Agency | Migrationsverket (SMA)
Type of applicants accommodated All applicants at the start of the process when lodging an application
Number of centres3
Capacity760 places (as of August 2025). This number changes regularly depending on needs
Location of the centres within the country Close to Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo

Name of  the reception facility Collective housing | Kollektivt boende (ABK)
Regime Open
ManagementSwedish Migration Agency | Migrationsverket (SMA)
Type of applicants accommodated Applicants awaiting a final decision (excluding applicants who lodged a subsequent application and applicants who received a transfer decision under the Dublin III Regulation); persons with children who received a final decision rejecting the application after the time limit for a voluntary return has expired; persons who received a final decision granting protection (until they have been offered permanent housing in a municipality  for people staying in an accommodation managed by the SMA or for 1 month from the date on which they have been granted residence permits for people staying outside accommodation centres managed by the SMA)
Number of centres10 centers (as of August 2025)
Capacity2894 places (as of August 2025)
Location of the centres within the country All over the country

Name of  the reception facility Residential | Bostadslägenheter (ABE)
Regime Open
ManagementSwedish Migration Agency | Migrationsverket (SMA)
Type of applicants accommodated Applicants awaiting a final decision (excluding applicants who lodged a subsequent application and applicants who received a transfer decision under the Dublin III Regulation); persons with children who received a final decision rejecting the application after the time limit for a voluntary return has expired; persons with a final decision granting protection (until they have been offered permanent housing in a municipality  for people staying in an accommodation managed by the SMA or for 1 month from the date on which they have been granted residence permits for people staying outside accommodation centres managed by the SMA)
Number of centresNumber fluctuates
CapacityCurrently not available
Location of the centres within the country All over the country

Name of  the reception facility Hotel or hostel, emergency shelter, gymnasium
Regime Open
ManagementMunicipalities
Type of applicants accommodated Applicants awaiting a final decision (excluding applicants who lodged a subsequent application and applicants who received a transfer decision under the Dublin III Regulation); couples with children who received a final decision rejecting the application after the time limit for a voluntary return has expired; persons with a final decision granting protection (until they have been offered permanent housing in a municipality -for people staying in an accommodation managed by the SMA or for 1 month from the date on which they have been granted residence permits for people staying outside accommodation centres managed by the SMA)
Number of centresVariable, more details in Öppna data – Migrationsverket (only in Swedish)
CapacityVariable, more details in Öppna data – Migrationsverket (only in Swedish)
Location of the centres within the country All over the country

The Swedish Migration Agency has established standards for the reception of asylum applicants with special needs or vulnerabilities.

  • Initial assessment: Prior to the initial placement in the SMA's accommodation, the Agency asks the applicant if there are any special needs, and if so, the immediate needs are documented in an official note. The matter must be urgently referred to team leaders, decision-makers or other designated officer at the unit for an assessment. If the applicant requires safe housing, suitable accommodation must be booked. Special needs are noted and taken into account when designating accommodation.
  • Assessment during the asylum procedure: If it arises that safe housing is required, this should be promptly investigated and documented in the minutes or an official note. The case must be presented to the team leaders, decision-makers or other designated officer at the unit to book an appropriate accommodation and relocate the applicant. Relocation is usually within the same region. If a secure existence cannot be provided through redeployment within the region’s regular homes, the Accommodations Secretariat must be promptly contacted, which is documented in an official note. The Accommodation Secretariat has the power to place centrally or relocate to safer places anywhere in the country. 

In general, all officers are responsible for the identification of special reception needs throughout the entire asylum procedure.

For unaccompanied minors , the main responsibility is taken by the social services in the municipality.

Vulnerable applicants: Applicants with special needs may be entitled to accommodation adapted to their vulnerable situation. The SMA arranges safe accommodation which is adapted to the applicant's special reception needs or close to institutions where support can be provided. This may apply, for example, to applicant with disabilities, applicants with physical or mental illness, LGBTIQ, pregnant or elderly applicants.

For an applicant who has been subjected to or is at risk of harassment due to any of the grounds of discrimination (gender, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion or other belief, or age), placement in secure housing is considered close to identity-creating networks and social contexts. This may, for example, apply to an applicant who is vulnerable due to sexual orientation and needs access to such networks. Current solutions include providing private apartments to foster self-determination and increase privacy.

For LGBTIQ applicants, apartments are usually close to bigger cities where there are NGOs and support centres for LGBTIQ persons. Applicants who declare their LGBTIQ identity as a reason for asylum are offered a place in the SMA's accommodation. An individual needs assessment is carried out, including for example if their own apartment is required, access to networks and medical care. An LGBTIQ perspective is integrated into the social information that asylum seekers are initially provided in the asylum procedure.

There are special flats for applicants with disabilities, for example to accommodate persons with reduced mobility (e.g. wheelchair access). Persons with various forms of physical disabilities can have their needs assessed by staff of the local municipality, who base their assessments on the general rules for the population at large. The municipality makes recommendations on an individual’s need for special care and the agreed costs are paid by the SMA. Examples of special accommodation include ground-level apartments without thresholds, accommodation in the proximity of sign language interpreters and special schools, in the proximity of specialised care or treatment, or a separate room or apartment due to mental health issues. The SMA can also make arrangements with procured institutional accommodations for applicants with extensive nursing needs.

In cooperation with the police, the SMA can arrange safe houses for threatened individuals, frequently women. In these situations, even the municipal social welfare authority can be involved. The SMA has developed a routine which provides guidelines for protected housing for applicants who have been subjected to, or threatened with, violence. The guidelines describe that if the applicant, following an investigation, needs increased security, measures are taken in the following order (the measures can also be combined and an individual assessment must always be made):

  • Move to construction housing if the person lives in his/her own housing;
  • New accommodation within the same unit, but not together with the perpetrator (if this is, for example, a spouse / partner / family / relative);
  • New accommodation in another location;
  • New accommodation at another reception unit;
  • Privately marked address;
  • Sheltered housing provided by local municipalities. 

Unaccompanied minors: While the SMA has the overall responsibility for unaccompanied minors, including daily allowances, the local municipality is responsible for their accommodation and general welfare.

After minors apply for international protection, the SMA contacts a municipality that will arrange temporary accommodation for the minor. After a few days or weeks, the minor will be informed which municipality is responsible while waiting for a decision on the asylum application.

The forms of accommodation can differ. Unaccompanied minors may be allowed to live with relatives or friends and must inform the SMA when applying for asylum. Otherwise they are placed in foster homes or with other young people in an institutional home where there are staff to support them.

When the minor turns 18 years or if the SMA assesses that he/she is over 18 years after the age assessment procedure, the responsibility for arranging accommodation shifts from the municipality to the SMA. This means that he/she may have to move to an accommodation provided by the SMA or arrange a private accommodation.

Applicants for international protection have the right to access accommodation and daily and special financial allowances (dagersättning).

Once an applicant lodges an application, a LMA card (Lagen om mottagande av asylsökande m.fl., which translates to “the Act on Reception of Asylum Seekers”) is issued by the Swedish Migration Agency which certifies that the holder is an applicant. It is not an identity card, but it can be shown at pharmacies or health and medical care institutions to prove that the holder is entitled to certain benefits as an applicant, such as reduced patient’s fee and reduced cost for prescription medicine.

Additional information about each of the rights can be found here.

For more information about standard requirements, see the Ordinance on the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Förordningen om mottagande av asylsökande m.fl. (1994:361)) and the MIGRFS regulations.

Type and purpose

Food is provided only in collective accommodation (food is provided since there is usually only one kitchen in each centre). If food is provided, the daily expense allowance is reduced.

All other material reception conditions are provided in cash (financial allowance).

In most cases, asylum seekers are provided with a welcome package containing bedding and hygiene products, such as a quilt, pillow, duvet, sheets, pillowcase, toothbrush, toothpaste, two towels (one smaller and one bigger), toilet paper and shampoo.
 

Duration and recurrenceEntire asylum procedure until a final negative decision is received and once the deadline for voluntary departure (4 weeks) has expired (except for couples with children) or until permanent housing is found in a municipality after having received a final decision granting protection. 

Type and purpose 

Daily expenses allowance should cover costs for daily living, such as food, clothing, shoes, leisure activities and hygiene products. 

Residential compensation for those who work and have to move to a place where the SMA does not have any residences to offer. 

Special grant (if urgent need arises), e.g. to buy winter clothing, glasses, diet supplements and equipment needed due to a disability or for an infant. This special contribution may also be requested in some cases for medical, pharmaceutical and dental costs, which are in any case partly subsidised.

Duration and recurrence 

Daily allowances and residential compensation are provided monthly. 

The specific grant is paid as a lump sum when the need occurs. The applicant can apply for specific allowances as many times as they have needs, as long as they are registered within the reception system and covered by the Act on Reception of Asylum Seekers and Others.

Calculation and amount 

Daily expenses allowance: the amount depends on where the applicant is accommodated. 

If the applicant stays in an accommodation centre where food is provided for free, the allowance only covers pocket money: 

  • Single adult: 24 SEK/day
  • Adults sharing accommodation: 19 SEK/day
  • Children aged 0-17: 12 SEK/day

If the applicant stays in other accommodations, the allowance should also cover food: 

  • Single adult: 71 SEK/day
  • Adults sharing accommodation: 61 SEK/day
  • Children aged 0-3: 37 SEK/day
  • Children aged 4-10: 43 SEK/day
  • Children aged 11-17: 50 SEK/day   ​​​​​​​

Residential compensation: 

  • Families: 850 SEK/month
  • Single adults: 350 SEK/month 
Applicants granted allowance 

All asylum seekers receive an allowance, except applicants who lodged a subsequent application and applicants who received a transfer decision under the Dublin III Regulation and applicants (single adults and couples without children) who received a final decision rejecting the application after the time limit for a voluntary return has expired. 

Limitations apply for applicants who choose to live in their own accommodation (EBO). As of 1 March 2024, applicants should move to the accommodation allocated by the SMA, otherwise they will lose their right to financial allowances. Applicants who decide to move to municipalities suffering socio-economic challenges automatically lose those rights. The list of municipalities and areas considered suffering socio-economic challenges is updated yearly. An online search service is available where it is possible to check whether an address belongs to a registered area or not. 

When an applicant submits a request for daily allowance, the SMA reviews the application in connection with the applicant’s address. Applicants are obliged to inform about their residential address and changes to the SMA. They can do that by filling out the corresponding form.

Modalities of provisionThe allowance is deposited in a bank card provided to the applicants by the SMA. The amount should also cover clothes and shoes, medical care and medicine, dental care, toiletries, other consumables and leisure activities.

Applicants with special needs may be entitled to accommodation adapted to their vulnerable situation. The SMA arranges a safe accommodation which is adapted to the applicant’s needs or close to institutions where support can be provided, for example applicants with disabilities, those who suffer from physical or mental illness, and LGBTIQ, pregnant or elderly applicants.

The SMA can arrange procured institutional accommodations for people with extensive nursing needs. For this, the individual must be registered in the reception system and may be eligible for financial allowances from the SMA.

A first screening is made at the time of the application, but since conditions may change over time, the identification and facilitation of special needs is made throughout the asylum procedure.

Modalities of information provision on benefits and obligations related to reception conditions 

Information on reception conditions is provided in writing and orally by an SMA officer when applicants lodge their application and at any point on time by staff at reception centres. 

Information leaflets are available in 15 languages and audio-visual information on the asylum procedure, healthcare, day nurseries and schools, and returns is available in the official SMA's website in eight languages.

Provision of legal assistance on the reception conditions availableNGOs offer counselling on legal assistance.
House rules 

Information on house rules is provided by reception officers. Information is also available on walls and offices for easy access. 

The SMA’s website provides information on the rules to be followed during an applicant's stay at a reception facility. These include: 

  • All forms of alcohol and drugs are forbidden in SMA accommodations. Everyone in the facility must respect each other, regardless of religion, culture, sexual orientation, and whether they are women or men.
  • All forms of violence are forbidden and punishable according to Swedish law. This applies outside as well as inside the family. Violence must not be used for raising children or against other family members. All forms of violence will be reported to the police.
  • The flat, furniture and equipment belong to the SMA and any damage may be reported to the police. If anything in the home breaks or does not work, applicants should inform SMA staff as soon as possible.
  • Spaces should be kept clean and tidy, smoking is not allowed in indoors areas, pets are not allowed.
  • It is forbidden to repair or try to change electricity sockets.
  • External doors or escape routes cannot be blocked.

Assignment of a particular area of residence to applicants To receive financial allowances, applicants must stay in an accommodation allocated by the Swedish Migration Agency. Exceptions are made for those who have family members who already reside in Sweden or for health-related needs. Applicants are placed in a location where there is a vacancy. During the waiting period, applicants can also be moved to accommodation elsewhere to make room for other applicants. ​​​​​​​
Reporting obligations Applicants living in their own accommodation place must notify the reception unit of the new address as soon as possible. The person may lose the right to a daily allowance and special grants if he/she provides an address other than the one where they actually live, such as a P.O. box address.

Time limit to access the labour market 

Once the application is lodged, applicants have immediate access to the labour market without the need to hold a work permit if certain criteria are met. The LMA card will include the AT-UND (authorisation for work). Employees can verify the permit by scanning the QR code.    

If the international protection application is rejected, the AT-UND is no longer valid. 

Normally the right to work lasts until either a residence permit is granted or the applicant leaves the country. If the application has been rejected and the person does not cooperate to leave the country, the AT-UND is no longer valid.

Criteria to access the labour market 

Applicants are exempted to request a work permit if: 

  • They have proper identity papers to prove identity;
  • The asylum application is to be considered in Sweden (no Dublin transfer);
  • There are solid reasons for the asylum application to be successful (application found well-found). 

The applicant will then receive an Asylum Seeker Card (LMA- kort), issued by the Swedish Migration Agency, stating that he/she has an AT-UND (work certificate for those exempt from the requirement of a work permit). There are no costs to be covered by the asylum applicant. 

The employer hiring an asylum applicant must complete the form “Notification of employment or termination of employment of an asylum seeker” and send it to the Migration Agency Reception Unit where the asylum applicant is registered. The employer must inform the SMA when the employment ends.

Applicants whose cases are handled according to the Dublin III Regulation or whose applications are assessed as manifestly unfounded are not allowed access the labour market. 

Employment support for applicants 

Applicants with an AT-UND can contact the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) to find a job.

Applicants are not eligible for unemployment benefits or other residence-based benefits that are provided when registered in the Swedish population register.

Adults’ access to vocational training 

Local authorities or schools are free to offer vocational training to adult applicants but not obliged to (only after a residence permit has been issued and they have been placed in a municipality).  

Applicants whose cases are handled according to the Dublin III Regulation or whose applications are assessed as manifestly unfounded cannot access vocational training. Applicants who decide to appeal against a return decision are entitled to vocational training until the Migration Court of Appeal’s final decision.

Vocational training is provided locally by each municipality and thus no aggregated figures are available.

Access to tertiary education For access to university, the recognition of previous education qualifications may be needed. For the recognition of studies and qualifications, an evaluation must be done by the Swedish Council of Higher Education. More details on the procedure can be found here.  ​​​​​​​

Medical screening All asylum applicants are offered a health assessment. The applicant receives an invitation to a free health assessment as soon as possible after lodging an asylum application.
Level of healthcare

Regions manage the type of healthcare provided to the applicant. 

Adult applicants are entitled to emergency heath and dental care, as well as essential medical care, childbirth care, abortion care, advice on contraception, maternity care and healthcare under the Swedish Communicable Diseases Act (a law intended to prevent the spread of contagious diseases). 

Minors have full health and dental care, in line with all other children in Sweden. 

Contraceptives and maternal and obstetric care are free of charge. In special circumstances, expenses paid for healthcare can be claimed back from the SMA.

If a person with a disability is identified, the SMA will encourage the applicant to contact the Swedish healthcare system by providing the contact information. 

The regions receive economic compensation from the state for healthcare provision which consists of a fixed financial support for healthcare for minors (up to 18 years of age):   

  • 3,740 SEK per quarter of a year for people up to 18 years of age.
  • 4,435 SEK per quarter of a year for people from 19 years of age up to 60 years of age.
  • 5,635 SEK per quarter of a year for people 61 years of age or older.
Access to healthcareThe LMA card is needed when visiting a healthcare provider or collecting a medicine from a pharmacy. Some medical care is provided for a small fee, lower rates for medical services/medicines apply once an applicant presents the LMA card (e.g. visit to a doctor at a health centre is 50 SEK; emergency visit to a public dental service is 50 SEK).

All children have the right to go to school, and the municipality where they live is obligated to provide schooling for them on the same terms as local children. This applies to preschool, elementary school and high school. National regulations require that schooling and education are adapted to ensure that all children have access. This includes the provision of extra resources (such as specially-trained teachers, physical or technical aids, etc.) or adapted facilities. Education should be offered within 30 days after an application is lodged.​Unaccompanied minors​ attend regular school but sometimes, at least for a period, in special introductory or preparatory classes (it depends on the country; often, larger schools have preparatory classes). 

Children between 16 and 19 often have to attend a preparatory course to improve their skills in Swedish and other core subjects before being able to access a national education programme. 

Municipalities get financial support to receive asylum-seeking children in school: 

  • 65,300 SEK per year for one child in pre-school/day care  
  • 53,400 SEK per year for one pupil in pre-school
  • 104,800 SEK per year for one pupil in elementary school
  • 119,100 SEK per year for one pupil in high school.

More information about the system and applicants' rights can be found here and here.

Children have the right to lessons in their own mother tongue on a regular basis, if there are more than five pupils with the same language in the area. Tutoring is provided to students who do not fully follow the teaching in the class because of insufficient knowledge of Swedish. In addition, children between 16-19 often have to attend a preparatory course to improve their skills in Swedish and other core subjects before being able to access vocational education.

Access to socio-cultural orientation 

The SMA offers 8-hour information session on the Swedish community. As of October 2021, social orientation classes are mandatory for all applicants as soon as possible after an application for asylum has been registered. The induction is now more comprehensive and delivered to all applicants over the age of 16 through a one-day session, while the material is adapted and in written for accompanied children, and studied with the case officer for unaccompanied children. The sessions are organised in different languages in first reception centres or through videoconference for persons who have their own accommodation. The SMA offers childcare while parents follow the course. 

In December 2024, an independent actor conducted surveys and interviews with asylum seekers who have participated in the social introduction programme (since 2021, just over 12,000 people). The latest survey from autumn 2024 shows that 97% of those surveyed were satisfied or very satisfied with the social introduction programme. In the group interviews, several participants expressed that they were very satisfied with receiving comprehensive and reliable information about Sweden, the asylum procedure, and their rights and obligations. More information on the evaluation and its results can be found here

Language classes Elements of civic education are included in the language course "Swedish for Immigrants" that is offered to everyone living in Sweden without Swedish as their mother tongue. Courses are organised by local governments or may be provided by NGOs on an ad hoc basis. Online programmes are also available to help applicants learn Swedish independently.

The applicants should live in the Swedish Migration Agency´s accommodation, however applicants have the possibility to live out of the centres. In this case, they can only receive a financial allowance similar to the one provided to those staying in accommodation provided by the Migration Agency if they live with family members who are already residents in Sweden or if they have special health conditions. They however receive no additional money to cover their rent. 

About 60% of all applicants does not stay in housing provided by the Swedish Migration Agency. Since they usually do not have the financial means to pay the rent for a flat, let alone find one to rent in the major cities, they often stay with friends or relatives.

The asylum seeker who stays with friends and relatives can at any time ask to be accommodated by the Swedish Migration Agency instead.

All asylum seekers must be registered at the local reception unit, even the ones staying in private housing. This also includes unaccompanied minors for whose responsibility for accommodation lies at the local municipality. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Persons having sufficient means may be charged rent if they want the Swedish Migration Agency to provide accommodation. The applicant’s own financial resources are considered before granting the daily allowance.

When the application for daily allowance is made, the applicant must fill in a financial declaration stating income or other means. By signing the application, the applicant certifies that the information written in the application is correct and truthful. No other means test is made by the Swedish Migration Agency.  

The daily expense allowance can be reduced if an applicant: 

  • does not cooperate during the examination of the application, e.g. by not contributing to establishing his/her identity or not attending planned interviews and meetings at the SMA (a reduction of material reception conditions is not permitted for children); or
  • refuses to cooperate on his/her return. 

The daily expense allowance is withdrawn if an applicant absconds before a return decision is taken. According to law, having absconded is not a ground for the reduction or withdrawal of the allowance, unless a return decision has been taken. However, in practice, the payment of the daily allowance is stopped on the basis that the applicant’s need for the assistance cannot be assessed. The allowance can be granted again if the applicant contacts the SMA. 

In general, the right to accommodation and food/daily expense allowance are withdrawn once an application has been rejected with legal force (for singles and couples without children only). From that point on, the foreigner is no longer entitled to daily allowance and accommodation. 

If an applicant has financial means by employment or otherwise, the daily expenses allowance may be reduced or withdrawn if the SMA considers that the applicant is not in need of it. In principle, the daily allowance is only paid to applicants who do not have financial resources. An individual examination must be done in each case. If an applicant has access to cash, bank balances or other assets that can be easily converted into liquid funds, he/she should primarily use these for up-keep. If the applicant is working, he/she is obliged to report the income to the SMA, so that it can be taken into account in deciding the daily allowance. The applicant’s ability to use any assets that exist in another country for daily life are also taken into account. 

The daily expenses allowance is also reduced if food is offered for free at the accommodation centre. The allowance is then reduced to 24 SEK per day for an applicant living on his own or to 19 SEK if the applicant is cohabiting.

Only the reduction of the daily expense allowances is foreseen as a sanction measure.

If the daily expense allowance is reduced, it is reduced by 24 SEK (€2.54) per day if an applicant lives on his/her own, leaving them with an allowance of 46 SEK (€4.60) per day. If the applicant is cohabiting, he/she normally receives 42 SEK (€4.20) per day (61 SEK per day reduced by 19 SEK). 

The decision to reduce allowances is taken by the case officer responsible for the case.

Applicants have the right to appeal the decision to reduce the allowance to the County Administrative Court within 3 weeks after a decision is communicated. Appeals are almost always rejected.