Temporary protection: Sweden
🛰️ Varta monitors 6 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC + national implementation • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Cross the border
Visa-free entry.
📍 Border crossing💳 Free - 2
Apply for protection at Migrationsverket
Apply for tillfälligt skydd at Migrationsverket (the Migration Agency). For first applications on or after 5 August 2026, men aged 23–65 must prove compliance with or exemption from military obligations in Ukraine. You receive confirmation — residence, work, healthcare and education rights.
📍 Migration Agency⏰ As soon as possible💳 Free - 3
Personnummer and social services
Skatteverket checks eligibility for population registration and assigns a personnummer. Protection status does not automatically provide this number. Before population registration, Migrationsverket assesses LMA financial support. After registration, the municipality assesses social assistance needs. Försäkringskassan handles specific insurance benefits; some employment-based benefits may be available before population registration.
📍 Skatteverket / Migrationsverket / municipality / Försäkringskassan💳 Free
Documents
Foreign passport
requiredChild’s birth certificate
requiredProof of residence before 24.02.2022
if availablePhoto
requiredProof of compliance with or exemption from military obligations
if availableA passport with a lawful-exit stamp no more than 90 days old, an e-VOD from Reserv+, or another official document showing entitlement to leave Ukraine.
Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Name in LATIN letters as in the passport.
Format YYYY-MM-DD.
Foreign passport number.
Address in Sweden.
❌ Name in Cyrillic ❌ Date format (in Sweden the year comes first)
As in the passport.
Format YYYY-MM-DD.
The tillfälligt skydd document.
❌ Without uppehållstillstånd (protection first) ❌ Date format
Benefits
Labour market access
Protection holders.
How to apply: Automatic; Arbetsförmedlingen for jobs
Financial support for your circumstances
Before population registration, Migrationsverket assesses LMA financial support. After registration, the municipality assesses social assistance needs. Försäkringskassan handles specific insurance benefits; some employment-based benefits may be available before population registration.
How to apply: Contact the authority responsible for the specific benefit. Insurance benefits: https://www.forsakringskassan.se/english/moving-to-working-studying-or-newly-arrived-in-sweden/newly-arrived-in-sweden/if-you-have-been-granted-a-residence-permit-in-sweden
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
Open a Wise accountThe price for you does not change; the commission supports our free guides.
Where to apply
Migration Agency
What happens after protection ends
After protection: uppehållstillstånd on other grounds (work, study, family), permanent residence after several years.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work + residence permit
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: Migration Agency.
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
Migration Agency
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Sweden
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
Migration Agency
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Sweden
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
Migration Agency
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Sweden
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
Migration Agency
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Sweden
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
Migration Agency
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
7 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
What is the personnummer?
A personnummer is assigned after population registration. Skatteverket checks how long you have held the permit and your expected further stay; one year of residence alone is not sufficient. Rules and exceptions: https://www.skatteverket.se/servicelankar/otherlanguages/englishengelska/individualsandemployees/movingtosweden/comingtoswedenfromukraine.4.1657ce2817f5a993c3a25d.html
Can I work?
Yes, tillfälligt skydd grants work rights without extra permits.
Where do I apply for protection?
At Migrationsverket (Migration Agency) in your region. Book online.
Who is affected by the new military-obligations requirement?
Only men aged 23–65 applying for temporary protection for the first time on or after 5 August 2026. Existing holders are not affected. Show a lawful-exit stamp no more than 90 days old, an e-VOD from Reserv+, or another official document proving entitlement to leave Ukraine. Send extra documents only if Migrationsverket asks.
- Migrationsverket — tillfälligt skydd ✓
- Migrationsverket — stricter rules when temporary protection is extended (10.09.2026) ✓
- UNHCR Help Sweden
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.