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

SOCIAL CONDITIONS FOR REFUGEES
Introduction/legal basis
As far as their social rights are concerned, the situation of refugees is defined through both an
integration programme established with the municipality where they are settled, and the
provisions of the Social Assistance Act of 1980, as modified in 1997.
The Social Assistance Act does not include specific provisions regarding refugees but applies to any
person residing legally in Sweden.
With few exceptions related, for example, to pension rights and easier access to higher education,
Convention refugees and persons in need of protection have the social rights. Both categories
are thus referred to as “refugees” hereinafter.
Integration programme
Housing
Sweden doe not have a law-based integration programme for refugees. Under the current system
introduced in 1985, the National Immigration Board (SIV) concludes agreements with the
municipalities regarding the reception of refugees (and certain other aliens) in their area.
Each municipality receiving refugees must establish an integration programme, individually tailored
to each refugee. In practice, the programme must be set up in consultation with the refugee
him/herself and in partnership with the local employment office.
For each refugee settled in a municipality, the latter receives from the state a grant of SEK 150,900
[EUR18,110] for a person over 16 years of age, and SEK 90,300 [EUR 10,837] for a person under
16 years of age. This amount is supposed to cover all costs incurred by the municipality during the
integration period, i.e. up to four years after the refugee's settlement. The main costs are the
financial assistance granted according to the Social Assistance Act, housing, language tuition, child
care and education.
Municipalities receive an extra grant when they receive elderly and handicapped refugees as well as
unaccompanied minors.
At present, most refugees are offered permanent housing in a municipality immediately after being
granted a residence permit.
Freedom of movement/residence
Refugees are free to settle anywhere in Sweden. However, if they need assistance in finding
accommodation, they must agree to settle in the municipality to which they are allocated on the basis
of available accommodation.
Financial assistance
As long as they remain in the residence centres after the granting of their status, refugees receive
the same allowances as asylum seekers.
Once settled in a municipality, refugees are entitled to the same rights as nationals and may obtain
financial assistance if they are not able to support themselves by other means in accordance with the
Social Assistance Act.
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Sweden