legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

Work
Asylum seekers are not allowed to work. However, if the processing of their application is expected
to last more than four months, an exception can be made following a request submitted by the
applicant. The granting of such authorisation is not conditional on the applicant presenting a job offer.
In practice, however, it is very rare that asylum seekers are able to find work.
Those applicants who manage to find a work and live in a residence centre must pay a contribution
towards food and accommodation.
Language tuition
All adult asylum seekers living in residence centres must participate in organised activities for at least
20 hours a week. Swedish language classes are included in these activities. The daily allowance can
be reduced for those asylum seekers who do not participate in the activities without good reason.
Applicants staying outside the centres are offered 20 hours of Swedish language classes per week.
School attendance
Child care
All children between 7 and 16, including those of asylum seekers, have basic right to education. The
SIV is responsible for the education of children of asylum seekers. Depending on the local
authorities’ agreement, they are admitted to Swedish primary schools. These children normally start
in special classes for asylum seekers.
The residence centres have organised child care based on the participation of parents themselves.
When parents take part in the compulsory activities, child care is arranged for their children. In
addition, after-school activities are also made available in the residence centres.
Unaccompanied minors
Once they have applied for asylum, unaccompanied minors are accommodated in special reception
homes run by the SIV. All unaccompanied minors are granted a guardian, appointed by the
authorities, to look after them and take care of their interests regarding both legal and social matters.
Female asylum seekers
There are no special rules or reception facilities for female asylum seekers.
Health/sickness
On arrival, asylum seekers are offered a medical check-up.
Adult asylum seekers are only entitled to receive emergency medical or dental treatment. Children
under 18 years of age are entitled to medical and dental care on the same basis as other children
residing in Sweden.
Asylum seekers have to pay SEK 50 [EUR 6] for medical and medicinal expenses and SEK 25 [EUR
3] for other treatment. However, if an asylum seeker spends more than SEK 400 [EUR 48] within a
six-month period, the SIV must reimburse the difference.
Freedom of residence/movement
Asylum seekers are free to travel within Sweden.
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Sweden