Temporary Protection - Sweden | DIP EUAA
PDF generated on 2026-03-02 05:22
Sweden activated temporary protection on 9 March 2022. The Temporary Protection Directive has been implemented in law through Chapter 21, Sections 1-9 in the Aliens Act (2005:716). The provisions were introduced on 1 January 2003 in the-then Chapter 2a of the Aliens Act (1989:529). The provisions were transferred to Chapter 21 of the Aliens Act in connection with the entry into force of the new Aliens Act (2005:716).
The provisions are automatically activated with the Implementing Decision of the Council of the EU for displaced people from Ukraine. In July 2022, the Ordinance (2022:1008) was approved, establishing the responsibility of municipalities in the provision of housing, schooling and care for beneficiaries of temporary protection, as well as criteria for distribution.
The duration of temporary protection lasted 1 year from the date the EU Council decision entered into effect (until 4 March 2024) and have since been extended for another year. Temporary protection was extended until 4 March 2027.
On 1 November 2024, the Act (2024:691) on Registration in the Population Register of Foreigners with Temporary Protection in Certain Cases was introduced, which made it possible for those with temporary protection to be registered in the population register earlier than before and thus gain access to other measures.
29/09/2005: Aliens Act (SFS 2005:716) and subsequent amendments | Utlänningslag (2005:716)
22/12/2022: Legal Position. Assessment of protection needs for citizens from Ukraine - RS/009/2023 Rättsligt ställningstagande. Prövning av skyddsbehov för medborgare från Ukraina - RS/009/2023 Dokument - Lifos extern (which repealed legal position RS/004/2022)
22/06/2022: Ordinance (2022:1008) on instructions for a municipality to arrange accommodation for certain foreigners | Förordning (2022:1008) om anvisning av en kommun som ska ordna boende för vissa utlänningar
03/10/2024 Act (2024:691) on Registration in the Population Register of Foreigners with Temporary Protection in Certain Cases | Lag (2024:691) om folkbokföring av utlänningar med tillfälligt skydd i vissa fall | Sveriges riksdag
| Area | Competent national authority | Assistance to the competent authority (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Screening at the external border (if relevant) | Police | Polisen | |
| Biometric data (if relevant) | Swedish Migration Agency (SMA) | Migrationsverket | |
| Granting temporary protection | Swedish Migration Agency (SMA) | Migrationsverket | |
| Issuing the residence permit | Swedish Migration Agency (SMA) | Migrationsverket | |
| Providing accommodation | Swedish Migration Agency (SMA) | Migrationsverket | Municipalities |
| Medical care | Ministry of Health and Social Affairs | Regeringskansliet | |
| Social welfare | Ministry of Health and Social Affairs | Regeringskansliet |
According to Section 3.2 of the Legal Position RS/005/2022, the following categories of people are eligible for temporary protection:
- Ukrainian citizens who were residing in Ukraine prior to 24 February 2022 and left Ukraine on 24 February 2022 or later;
- Stateless persons and third-country nationals with a residence permit in Ukraine due to their status as a refugee or person in need of subsidiary protection who left Ukraine on 24 February 2022 or later.
According to Section 4 of the Aliens Act (2005:716), family members are the following categories of people who are eligible to apply for temporary protection:
- spouse or cohabiting partner;
- unmarried children of the main applicant or of the spouse or cohabiting partner;
- other closed relatives, such as dependent parents.
The government decided on 7 April 2022 to expand the categories of people who are eligible for temporary protection (SFS 2022:256). According to the amending regulations in the Aliens Ordinance Act (utlänningsförordningen 2006:97), temporary protection can also be granted to a person who has travelled into Sweden during the period 30 October 2021-23 February 2022 and who after entry has continued to stay in Sweden, if they belong to an eligbility category specified in Article 2(1) or (2) of the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382.
In December 2023, the government again expanded the categories of people who are eligible for temporary protection to include people who were legally residing in Sweden prior to 22 December 2023. Chapter 4, Section 19h of the Aliens Ordinance states that the temporary protection that follows from the Council's implementation decision also applies to a foreigner who was legally resident in Sweden prior to 22 December 2023.
Nationals of Ukraine residing already in Sweden on the basis of a residence permit which is about to expire can apply again for an extension. However, if the grounds for that residence permit no longer remain, Ukraine nationals can apply for asylum.
Holders of a biometric passport can enter visa-free and stay in the country for a total of 90 days within the last 180 days and do not need to contact the SMA following entry as long as the 90 days have not passed.
In the absence of documents, the person is registered as an applicant and referred to the Ukrainian Embassy to obtain a certificate of nationality. If the person cannot obtain such a document, they are referred to the asylum system.
Security screening is performed at the border by the police and when applying for a residence permit at the SMA.
Health screening is/is not regularly performed when entering the country. When the person registers an application for temporary protection with the SMA, the person is asked about any health problems. After the residence permit is granted, the medical system where they reside offers health screening and vaccinations.
All applications are registered in the National Central Data system for Foreigners (CUD).
Information platforms: The SMA regularly updates a dedicated webpage on the Temporary Protection Directive, which includes information on how to apply for protection, protection for children and subsequent extension. Information related to approved and rejected applications is also available. The information is available in English, Swedish, Ukrainian and Russian.
Applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection receive:
- information material upon application in Russian, Ukrainian or English;
- information in a specific section of the decision on rights/obligations and Swedish society in Swedish or English;
- automated reminder before each extension opportunity, i.e. a letter is sent to each beneficiary a number of weeks before.
Dedicated contact: There are no specific telephone numbers or e-mail addresses at the SMA for questions from displaced persons from Ukraine. Questions can be forwarded to the customer service.
Latest statistics: SMA weekly statistics on registrations for temporary protection are updated on the 15th of each month.
To apply for temporary protection, displaced persons should be present in the country. The same applies to an application for an extension of a residence permit based on temporary protection. Procedural aspects are not set out in the Aliens Act. However, the SMA has issued legal guidelines on temporary protection for people from Ukraine and related aspects. It has also issued internal guidelines on how applications for residence permits for temporary protection should be handled.
| Registration | Registration: is made online or in person by visiting the SMA’s offices. Documentation: Adults in the application must have a valid passport or other identity documents. Copies of the passport must be attached to the application (see instructions here). Children do not need to have a passport or identity documents; however, if they have them, a copy must be attached to the online registration. The e-service cannot be used if: the person is not a Ukrainian citizen, the person is not in Sweden, the person does not have a valid passport or another identity document or is an unaccompanied minor. An email address and mobile phone number is also needed to be able to access the e-service. In-person applications can be filed at the following SMA offices, appointments cannot be made: - Boden - Service Centre - Gothenburg, Kållered - Arrival Unit - Malmö - Application Unit - Norrköping - Service Centre - Sundsvall - Service Centre - Stockholm, Sundbyberg - Service Centre SMA officials will ask questions about the applicant’s identity and date of leaving Ukraine. The applicant needs to present a passport or identity documents. A photograph and fingerprints will be taken. Security-related questions are asked, and the SMA carries out a number of security checks during the processing of the case. After registration, the applicant will receive a control number or case number which must be presented at every contact with the SMA. The applicant may check the status of the application on My page - Migrationsverket. People subject to temporary protection procedures are exempt from paying application fees. All applications for temporary protection are registered in the National Central Data system for Foreigners (CUD). |
|---|---|
| Residence permit | Issuance of residence permit: The SMA will check if the applicant is entitled to protection under the Temporary Protection Directive. Once a decision is made, the SMA sends a letter to the address provided by the applicant (instructions to follow for a change of address). Beneficiaries are informed that their personal information is uploaded to the Temporary Protection Platform. Residence permit card (UT card): is issued with biometric information (fingerprints and photo) and sent by post to the applicant's address or reception unit where the applicant is staying. For an extension of a permit, the residence card is sent to the applicant’s address. As of November 2024, those who have a residence permit with temporary protection can be registered in the national register after 1 year in Sweden (instead of 2 years). However, people who are registered on or after 1 November 2024, do not have the same access to financial support from society as those who registered earlier, according to the old rules. Registration means that the person can be offered the same health and medical care, as well as dental care, as other residents. It also means that it will be possible to receive work-based parental benefits at certain levels, as well as temporary parental benefits. With the new rules, it is easier for a child who was born in Sweden to be registered at the same time as his parents, even if the child has not had a residence permit for a whole year. The residence permit gives a beneficiary the opportunity to receive help with finding housing, the right to work, the right to schooling for children and certain financial support. If the registration was made online and photo or fingerprints were not provided, the applicant will need to visit an SMA office before the residence card will be issued. The residence permit granted under the Temporary Protection Directive has the same validity as the residence permit and is renewable in accordance with EU decisions. If a programme to prepare for the voluntary return of a foreigner has started when the residence permit with temporary protection expires, the permit of a person taking part in the programme may be extended for a maximum of 2 years. This permit is called a residence permit after temporary protection (Chapter 21, Section 6, Aliens Act). However, no programme has yet been decided by the EU. More information about the extension of residence permits can be found here. |
| Legal aid | Applicants/beneficiaries of temporary protection are not included under the free legal aid scheme of the SMA. However, the Swedish Bar Association coordinated free legal advice by specific lawyers to displaced persons from Ukraine. In 2022, the government decided on a budget of SEK 68.8 million on grants to civil society organisations which are supporting (support in general but including legal support) for displaced persons from Ukraine seeking protection in Sweden. The Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society awarded grants to organisations, amongst which the Sweden City missions, Swedish Red Cross and Swedish Refugee Law Centre. |
| Appeal | According to Chapter 14, Section 3 of the Aliens Act (SFS 2005:716), an appeal may be brought against a decision rejecting temporary protection within 3 weeks upon notification. The appeal will suspend the enforcement of the decision and the decision. An appeal is reviewed by the Migration Courts. Same provisions as for an appeal of a decision rejecting a residence permit apply for temporary protection. |
| Exclusion | The grounds for exclusion from temporary protection are laid down in Chapter 5, Section 1 and Chapter 21, Section 2, subparagraph 2 of the Aliens Act (SFS 2005:716) and subsequent amendments | Utlänningslag (2005:716). |
| Termination/Withdrawal | The grounds for a revocation of a residence permit are exclusively listed in Chapter 7 of the Aliens Act (SFS 2005:716) and subsequent amendments | Utlänningslag (2005:716). According to national legislation, the SMA can revoke a residence permit if incorrect information was given in the application. Also, if the conflict ends and the Council decides to end temporary protection (see Article 6), the residence permits can be revoked. |
Pursuant to the Reception of Asylum Seekers Act (LMA), reception units of the SMA are responsible for the accommodation of applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection in structures which are already available for international protection procedures. Reception units in cooperation with municipalities allocate places for displaced persons in need of protection around the country. Statistics on the distribution within all municipalities are available here: Fördelningstal 2025.
Municipalities are responsible for the provision of housing, schooling and care for beneficiaries of temporary protection, for which the municipalities are compensated.
Reception units provide information to people in need of reception in a dedicated webpage Visit us - Migrationsverket. More information on access to accommodation for people who have applied for or have received a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive can be found here.
Initial reception: Not applicable
Accommodation: Displaced persons may stay in the following accommodation units:
- reception centres for applicants or beneficiaries of international protection;
- reception centres set up for displaced Ukraine nationals and beneficiaries of temporary protection;
- private households;
- local and private initiatives coordinated by the NGOs. Authorities refer to NGOs but they do not coordinate their work.
If a displaced person chooses to arrange their own accommodation, they will pay the accommodation cost on their own. In this case, beneficiaries should notify the SMA of the address by sending a Notification of address or change of address form to the nearest reception unit.
Places in a temporary accommodation can be offered by the SMA. The person will not choose where to live but will be accommodated where there are places available. If the person declines to move to the municipality where the accommodation is, they will need to find accommodation on their own. This accommodation can be paid by the person if there are funds available (e.g. if the person works or has other assets). Beneficiaries should inform the corresponding reception unit if the financial situation changes.
Adults with available funds (e.g. if the person works or has other assets) will pay SEK 2,100 per person per month, while SEK 1,050 will be paid per child per month (only up to two children). Additionally, if food is provided in the accommodation, the beneficiary will also need to pay for it. Fees are available here.
The type of accommodation provided by the SMA and the municipalities vary (e.g. large accommodation facilities, apartments, shared room, etc.).
Provision for means to obtain housing: Displaced persons are not entitled to housing allowances (see section on social welfare and means of subsistence for more details on financial allowances).
Other types of accommodation: Accommodation support for people with special needs is provided. There are specific accommodation facilities for displaced persons in a vulnerable situation, such as unaccompanied minors, persons with disabilities, those suffering from physical or mental illness, LGBTQI, pregnant or elderly people. More information on access to accommodation can be found here.
After 1 year of temporary protection, the person will be listed in the population register and will receive a personal identity number, which mean that they will no longer be entitled to receive accommodation and financial support from the SMA. Instead, the person will have the same rights to request aid from the social security system as others living in Sweden. The municipality will arrange a new accommodation place for these beneficiaries or inform them where they can find support to find accommodation. More information can be found here.
| Rights | Description |
|---|---|
| Access to the labour market | Beneficiaries of temporary protection have the right to work under the same conditions as beneficiaries of international protection. Access to the labour market is granted to beneficiaries who should be 16 years old or older. A work permit is granted for the same period of validity as the residence permit. Support on finding a job is provided by the Public Employment Service | Arbetsförmedlingen. A coordination number is needed once the person finds a job. This will be provided by the Tax Agency. |
| Access to medical care | Adult beneficiaries of temporary protection have the right to emergency medical care, emergency dentistry and other care that cannot wait, such as obstetric care, abortion care, contraceptive counselling, maternal healthcare, and care provided under the Communicable Diseases Act. The COVID-19 vaccine is free. Once a beneficiary receives a residence permit, they receive an offer for a free health exam. During the exam, they receive advice on health issues, the chance to take certain medical tests and information on health and medical care in Sweden. Minors under the age of 18 are entitled to the same healthcare and dental care as other children living in Sweden. Such care is largely free for children, but it can vary depending on where the child lives. Medication for children is free with a doctor’s prescription. Children also have the right to get vaccinated against common infectious childhood diseases, including COVID-19. More information on health and medical care can be found here and on this website. Those who have been granted a residence permit with temporary protection are entitled to subsidised prescription drugs in the same way as asylum seekers. The same applies to the right to state compensation. Read more on the reimbursement of prescription drugs for asylum seekers. |
| Social welfare assistance and means of subsistence | If the beneficiary does not earn money and does not have other assets, they can apply for financial aid from the SMA. There are two types of financial aid: daily allowance and special grants. However, if the person is listed in the population register, they cannot apply for financial aid from the SMA. Beneficiaries of temporary protection can apply for financial aid to the SMA in person or by post. The financial support is intended to cover food, clothes and personal expenses. Financial support can be provided at the earliest from the application day. Beneficiaries of a daily allowance will receive a bank card that is linked to the account where the money is transferred. This is only to receive SMA allowances. If there are multiple adults in the family, each will receive their own bank card. Changes in the personal financial situation must be communicated to the SMA (e.g. employment or accommodation change). A decision on the financial support is communicated to the beneficiary of temporary protection through the case officer at the reception unit or through simplified notification (by post). Allowances may vary depending on the type of accommodation. In accommodation where food is included, the daily allowance is:
In accommodation where food is not included, the daily allowance is:
Families with more than two children receive a full daily allowance for the two oldest children and half a daily allowance for the other children. In addition to food, the daily allowance covers clothing and shoes, medical care and medicine, dental care, hygiene items, other consumables and leisure activities. A special allowance can also be provided for beneficiaries when they have a great need for something (item or service) that is not covered by the daily allowance and they cannot pay for it (e.g. glasses, a pram or warm winter boots). Applications are assessed individually by the SMA. If approved, it is covered for the cheapest option. There are special allowance application forms for unaccompanied minors. Beneficiaries can appeal a decision to not grant a financial allowance within 3 weeks from the notification. If the SMA does not change the decision, the decision can be appealed against the Administrative Court, which will re-examine the decision. If the appeal is rejected, it can be also appealed to the Administrative Court of Appeal. More information can be found here. |
| Education | Minors: Child beneficiaries of temporary protection have the right to attend preschool (from the age of 3 years or 1 year in specific cases) and primary school (from the age of 6) as Swedish nationals. School is free and all children may attend 10 years of primary school. Upon completion of primary school, young people have the right to secondary education, as long as they begin before reaching 18 years. In upper secondary school (high school), one can prepare for higher education or learn a profession. It is the municipality that is responsible for ensuring that the child is assigned a place at a school. Read more about school and education. Adults: Adult beneficiaries of temporary protection have right to access vocational training under the same conditions as Swedish nationals. More information on access to education can be found here. |
| Family reunification | Family reunification does not have special rules for people from Ukraine; the same rules apply to anyone applying on the grounds of close family ties. In line with Article 2.1. c) and 2.4 of the Council decision EU 2022/382, the following family members of a beneficiary of temporary protection can apply for it:
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| Other | Social introduction: The SMA provides a digital community introduction for beneficiaries of temporary protection which consists of a collection of web pages with information adapted to the group of people in need of protection from Ukraine, including housing, care, support, schooling and traveling within the EU, as well as the labour market in Sweden and norms and values in Swedish society. The information is available in Swedish, English, Ukrainian and Russian. This community introduction, available since 2022, is in line with the mandatory social introduction to applicants for international protection introduced by the SMA in April 2022. Coordination number: is issued to beneficiaries who need to interact with public authorities and other public or private entities such as banks or employers. More information about the coordination number can be found here. Pets: Until 1 September 2023, there was an exemption on bringing pets belonging to people fleeing from Ukraine to Sweden. Since then, ordinary rules apply for pets from Ukraine: Movement of dogs, cats and ferrets from countries outside the EU where the rabies situation is not under control - Jordbruksverket.se Other initiatives to support displaced persons: An online support platform, A Safe Start in Sweden, for those fleeing Ukraine was developed by civil society organisations and companies, including Airbnb.org, Skill Shift Initiative, Save the Children, City Mission, UNICEF Sweden, UNHCR, and World Childhood Foundation. The platform contributes to work already being carried out by the SMA, the Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and municipalities across the country. It works to provide:
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All minors travelling without a parents or guardian are considered unaccompanied minors and will be under the responsibility of the social welfare services of the municipalities where they are placed. It is up to the municipality to decide on and arrange suitable accommodation based on the best interests of the child. This can be, for example, assisted accommodation, family homes or foster homes depending on the situation of the child. If a minor is travelling with a guardian, they are treated as a family.
Unaccompanied children are not registered through e-service. They are registered at an office at the SMA. When they visit the SMA, an interview will take place where the child can provide the agency with information on:
- who the parent(s) and siblings are and where they are,
- persons the child lived with before,
- if the child is married or has their own children,
- who the child travelled with,
- how the child travelled to Sweden,
- if the child knows anyone in Sweden,
- health,
- special needs,
- place of birth,
- place of residence.
The registration is made in the same system as for adults.
More information can be found here.
Legal guardianship: Reaching decisions in a quick manner for children not travelling with their biological parents has proven challenging. The adults accompanying the children have an array of different documents related to the travel and guardianship of the child. The SMA regards the children as unaccompanied until the documents are translated and accepted as sufficient for the claim of legal guardianship.
When only documents on the right to travel with the child have been provided, the SMA requests the municipality to provide the child with a legal guardian according to legislation. If the provided documents have proved that the adult has legal guardianship, the child is no longer regarded as an unaccompanied minor. Social services are informed that a child is living in Sweden with their legal guardian.
Accommodation: All children who do not travel with a biological parent are placed under supervision of the municipalities’ social services. However, they are normally allowed to reside with the adult(s) they arrived with, unless there are suspicions of human trafficking or other problems.
Education: See section on Education.
Information about human trafficking is provided by the Gender Equality Agency. Information is available in English and Ukrainian here.
Women: The Women's Protection Line offers advice and support to women who have been exposed to threats and physical, psychological and sexual violence. Telephone line: +46 02050- 50-50. Interpretation is available. Information is available in several languages.
Victims or witnesses of war crimes: Displaced persons from Ukraine are requested to contact the police (+46 77-114-14-00) if they are victims of a crime or call 112 if the situation is urgent. Information for victims or witnesses of war crimes or crimes against humanity is incorporated with the decision on a residence permit with contact information for the police.
To date, no specific measures or commitments have been taken for relocation from Moldova or any other country.
Temporary protection is without prejudice to the recognition of the status of a person as a beneficiary of international protection. Applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection have the right to apply for international protection if they do not meet the requirements for a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive. General information on the asylum procedure can be found here.