Information for Ukrainian refugees in Sweden

Permits until 4 March 2027 (new ones until 4 March 2028); extension only on application

Information checked in October–November 2026.

Important to know

Extension is not automatic: permits issued before 5 Aug 2026 expire on 4 Mar 2027 — apply when Migrationsverket opens applications in early 2027. Since 5 Aug 2026 men 23–65 applying for the first time must prove they met military obligations. After a year with the permit, register with Skatteverket within 4 weeks (folkbokföring): Migrationsverket support ends and the municipality takes over; first permits from 5 Sep 2026 normally can't be registered. Since 11 Jun 2026 you can switch to a work or study permit without leaving Sweden, but you lose protection-based support. Migrationsverket (in Ukrainian)

Useful links

Official information

Getting there

Housing

Migrationsverket: housing (in Ukrainian)migrationsverket.se (opens in a new tab)

International hosting platforms (Host4Ukraine)

Work

Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen): for people from Ukrainearbetsformedlingen.se (opens in a new tab)

International job platforms for Ukrainians

Ukrainian communities

Status and documents

How long protection lasts: Residence permit with temporary protection (UT card). Permits granted before 5 Aug 2026 are valid until 4 Mar 2027, later ones until 4 Mar 2028. Extension is not automatic: apply in the e-service before expiry (Migrationsverket will open applications in early 2027).
Documents: Passport or ID card; without them, other proof of identity and citizenship (driving licence, birth or citizenship certificate, military ID). Men 23–65 applying for the first time since 5 Aug 2026: proof of fulfilled military obligations or exemption — passport exit stamp no older than 90 days, Reserve+ certificate (e-VOD) or another official document.
Where and how to apply: Only in Sweden: online in the Migrationsverket e-service (Ukrainian citizens 18+; email, mobile number and a photo of the passport needed; up to 3 adults and 10 children per application) or in person at a Migrationsverket office, no appointment needed. Free. Photo and fingerprints for the card later.
Processing time: Usually a few weeks (Migrationsverket). The confirmation letter proves you have applied and gives the right to housing and allowance while you wait; extensions can take longer.
When protection ends: Ends when the permit expires unless you apply for extension in time (in 2026 those who missed the deadline lost housing, allowance and the right to work), or when you get another permit (work, studies). Moving abroad or protection in another EU country does not cancel the permit but ends support in Sweden. Serious crimes exclude protection.

Travel, pets and language

How to get there: No common border: car or bus via Poland, then ferry Gdynia–Karlskrona (Stena Line), Gdańsk–Nynäshamn or Świnoujście–Ystad (Polferries, Unity Line); or overland via Germany and Denmark (FlixBus to Stockholm from Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen); flights from Poland and other EU airports.
Pets: Ukraine is outside the EU: microchip, rabies vaccination, antibody (titre) test at least 30 days later, then a 90-day wait from the blood sample and a health certificate (enter the EU within 10 days); declare the animal at customs. No tapeworm treatment required (but recommended). Pets are not allowed in Migrationsverket housing.
Languages: Swedish; English is widely spoken. SFI (Swedish for immigrants) is free: a right once you are registered (folkbokförd), before that at the municipality's discretion. Free exercises and the Hej svenska app on informationsverige.se.

Work, healthcare and education

Right to work: Yes, from the day the permit is granted (age 16+), no separate work permit. You or your employer notify Skatteverket (preliminary A-tax); you may start before getting a coordination number. Arbetsförmedlingen helps with job search; its establishment programme opens after a year with the permit.
Jobs in demand: Assistant nurses, care workers and personal assistants, nurses (largest projected shortage, Arbetsförmedlingen 2026); construction (in spring 2026, 40% of construction employers failed to recruit). Many jobs, especially licensed professions, require Swedish and recognised qualifications.
Healthcare: Before registration adults get only care that cannot wait (incl. maternity care, urgent dental care): SEK 50 per doctor visit or prescription, costs over SEK 400 in 6 months refunded by Migrationsverket; children get full care. After registration: as for residents (visits capped at SEK 1,450 per 12 months; medicines max SEK 3,800, free under 18).
Kindergarten: Right to a preschool place from age 1, also before registration, but not free: income-based fee, max SEK 1,547/month for the first child (from 1 Jul 2026), nothing if household income is up to SEK 10,000/month; 15 free hours a week from the autumn the child turns 3.
School: Yes, free, including school lunch; children have the right to school also before registration (compulsory once registered). School starts in the autumn of the year a child turns 6; upper secondary (gymnasium) if started before 18. The municipality arranges a place.

Benefits

Housing support: Before registration: free place in Migrationsverket or municipal housing (SEK 2,100/month per adult if you have income); own housing at your own cost. After registration you must leave agency housing: you are assigned to a municipality that provides a flat (no choice); you pay the rent, social assistance can cover it if you lack money. No housing allowance (bostadsbidrag) if registered from 1 Nov 2024.
One-time payment: None. Before registration you can apply to Migrationsverket for a special grant (särskilt bidrag): winter clothes, baby or school package, pram, glasses, medical costs — assessed individually.
Monthly allowance for adults: Migrationsverket daily allowance if you have no money: SEK 71/day for a single adult (≈ SEK 2,160/month), SEK 61 each in a couple, less if meals are provided; re-apply under the new reception law (since 1 Oct 2026). After registration: establishment benefit SEK 231, then 335/day (5 days a week), or social assistance (SEK 5,220/month for a single, 2026, plus rent).
Monthly allowance for children: Daily allowance per child SEK 37 (0–3), 43 (4–10), 50 (11–17) a day; full for the two oldest, half for the others. No child benefit (barnbidrag) if registered from 1 Nov 2024. In the establishment programme: child supplement SEK 400/month (under 11) or SEK 750 (11–19), since 1 Sep 2026.

Cost of living

Average rent: Average rent of a 2-room (1-bedroom) flat, 2026: Stockholm SEK 8,814/month, Gothenburg SEK 7,978, Malmö SEK 8,798 (SCB). These are first-hand leases with long queues; sublets cost much more (Stockholm city centre approx. $1,660, livingcost.org).
Groceries per person per month: Food cooked at home approx. SEK 2,730/month for an adult aged 25–50, SEK 2,130 for a child aged 7–10, SEK 2,650 for 11–14 (Konsumentverket, 2026).
Kindergarten fees: Independent (private) preschools are publicly funded and usually charge the same income-based fee, max SEK 1,547/month (from 1 Jul 2026).
Private school fees: Independent schools (friskolor) are free. International schools charge fees: e.g. ISGR Gothenburg SEK 49,900/year + SEK 12,475 enrolment fee (2026/27); in Stockholm approx. $17,300/year (livingcost.org, 2026, crowdsourced).
Health insurance cost: Usually not needed after registration: public care with capped fees (SEK 1,450 per 12 months for visits, 2026). Before registration adults get only care that cannot wait. Private health insurance (faster access) is optional; price depends on age and insurer, no reliable average.

Documents, consulates, legal helpThe same in every country: e-Consul, Diia, free legal aid, a psychologist.

All information is for reference only. Rules and benefits change often, so some of it may be out of date. Always check with official sources before making a decision.

If you spot an inaccuracy, please write to us at howtohelpuacom@gmail.com.