Asylum and migration
Asylum and migration
We support you throughout your migration process in Sweden – from arrival, asylum, and integration to a possible return. We offer migration counselling and work to ensure access to healthcare for those who lack permission to stay in the country.
Swedish Red Cross – your support throughout the migration process
We have a long history of supporting people fleeing conflict and those on the migration route, regardless of legal status. Do you need our support? We can help you no matter where you are in your asylum process. Choose the option below that best matches your situation.
Are you seeking healthcare support?
Do you need healthcare but lack permission to stay in Sweden? Then you can receive help and support through the Red Cross Health Referral Service. We are here for those who do not have full access to public healthcare – for example, if you are undocumented, seeking asylum, or have a temporary residence permit. Relatives, contact persons, and healthcare staff are also welcome to reach out for advice on healthcare access for our target groups.
Do you need legal support in your asylum process?
If you are seeking asylum in Sweden, we can provide you with advice and information about how the asylum process works. We explain which rules apply under Swedish and international law, and what is important to consider in your particular case. We help you understand the process and the steps ahead, explore which options may exist if you receive a rejection, and clarify your rights. If new and crucial information emerges after your asylum process has ended, we can, in some cases, act as your legal representative.
Have you received a rejection of your asylum application and been ordered to return to your home country?
If your asylum application has been rejected, you may have been placed in immigration detention and you are expected to return to your country of origin, we can provide advice and support. We can support you through conversations about how you can prepare and what support may be available. You can ask questions about practical matters, such as travel and your contacts in the country you will return to. Our counselling is neutral, and we work to ensure that you feel secure in your decision. You can contact us via phone or form for personal guidance.
Do you want to reunite with your family?
If you live in Sweden and want your family to come here, we can provide advice and information on how family reunification works. We explain what the rules are, what is required to apply for family reunification, and which documents you need. In some cases, we can also act as a legal representative, for example if a family member has had their family reunification application rejected.
Are you searching for missing family members?
If you have lost contact with one or more family members due to war, conflict, natural disaster, or migration, we can help you search for them. We will support you whether you are an asylum seeker, have temporary or permanent residence, have received a rejection, or are in Sweden without permission. To receive help, you must be in Sweden, and the person or people you are searching for must be outside Sweden. Searching for missing family members through the Swedish Red Cross is free of charge.
Treatment Centers for Persons Affected by War and Torture
At our Treatment Centers for Persons Affected by War and Torture, we help those who suffer from trauma caused by torture, war, and difficult experiences of flight.
Frequently asked questions about asylum and migration in Sweden
What happens if my asylum application is rejected?
If both the Migration Agency and the court reject your application, you will receive a decision that you are to be deported to the country where you have the right to reside. You are then expected to return voluntarily. You can travel on your own or receive assistance from the Swedish Migration Agency. The Migration Agency may require you to arrange certain things that make the journey possible, such as obtaining ID or travel documents. If they believe that you are not cooperating, they may hand your case over to the border police, who will then carry out the deportation.
The Red Cross offers advice, support, and conversations during this difficult time. We can also help you understand your rights and what options exist before returning.
What rights do I have after a rejected asylum application?
While waiting for a deportation to take place, you have the right to stay at a return center run by the Swedish Migration Agency. There are currently eight return centers in Sweden. During the waiting period, you may receive financial support from the Migration Agency if you meet the conditions. You need to live at the center to be entitled to the daily allowance and special grants.
The Red Cross currently offers advice and supportive activities at several return centers.
I have been rejected and need to return – is there any support?
Yes. The Red Cross can support you if you have received a rejection on your asylum application and face returning. We offer conversational support, neutral counselling, and practical guidance before your return. This can include understanding the rules, arranging documents, or connecting with the Red Cross or Red Crescent in your home country.
You can receive individual support by filling out our contact form or calling our counselling line at 020 415 000 (Wednesdays 9:00–12:00).
What happens if I cannot return to my home country even though my application was rejected?
If you cannot return despite receiving a rejection, the Swedish Migration Agency may need to investigate why the return cannot be carried out. This may be because you lack travel documents, your home country’s authorities do not cooperate, or other practical obstacles that prevent immediate return.
It is possible that the Migration Agency may not agree with you about whether return is possible, and may require you to actively work towards making the return possible. The Red Cross is available to answer questions if you are unsure or need neutral counselling.
I have been rejected – am I entitled to a repatriation grant?
No. There is an important difference between return and repatriation.
The state repatriation grant is for people who have a residence permit in Sweden, are citizens of another country, and voluntarily want to return there.
Return refers to people who have been denied a residence permit in Sweden and are subject to deportation. If you applied for asylum, received a rejection, and must leave Sweden, you are expected to return.
The repatriation grant is only provided if you voluntarily choose to return, and you have the option of remaining in Sweden with a residence permit. The grant increased from 10,000 to 350,000 SEK for an adult at the turn of the year.
Is there any other support available if I must return due to a rejected asylum application?
There are two types of support available from the Migration Agency for a limited number of nationalities:
Re-establishment Support
This is financial support paid out after returning to your home country. It amounts to 30,000 SEK for each person over 18 and 15,000 SEK for children under 18. A family can receive up to 75,000 SEK. This support is only provided for voluntary returns organized by the Migration Agency.
Reintegration Support
This is also provided by the Migration Agency and is in-kind support, meaning it is not cash but assistance provided in the home country after return — such as temporary housing, education, or healthcare. The amount varies.
Am I entitled to healthcare if I am an asylum seeker or undocumented?
Yes. Everyone has the right to certain healthcare in Sweden.
If you are an asylum seeker, you are entitled to care that cannot be postponed, maternity care, care during childbirth, contraceptive counselling, and care under the Communicable Diseases Act.
If you are undocumented (without valid permission to stay in Sweden), you have the same rights to care as asylum seekers.
The Red Cross Health Referral Service can help you understand your rights, connect with healthcare providers, and find out where to go.
How can the Red Cross help me search for my family?
The Red Cross can help you search for missing family members if you have lost contact due to war, conflict, natural disaster, or migration. We cooperate with the Red Cross and Red Crescent in many countries, making it possible to search almost anywhere in the world.
To receive help from the Swedish Red Cross, you must be in Sweden, and the person you are searching for must be outside Sweden. You can contact us by filling out our form or calling our migration counselling service at 020‑415 000 (Wednesdays 9–12).
If you are outside Sweden, contact the Red Cross or Red Crescent in that country.
We also recommend searching on your own in parallel, for example via social media, Google, or by contacting places where the person may have been.
How do I prepare my family to avoid losing contact during a crisis?
To reduce the risk of losing contact, make sure you have updated information about where each family member is and their planned movements. Save each other's phone numbers, email addresses, and social media accounts in several different places. This makes it easier to reconnect if the internet or mobile network stops working or is limited for a longer time.
What does travel assistance mean and how can I apply for it?
The Swedish Red Cross can help families separated by war, disasters, or flight to travel to Sweden through financial and practical travel support. You must meet certain requirements, such as having a residence permit in Sweden and being part of the immediate family. Support is provided if you cannot afford the travel costs yourself and applies to trips arranged by the Red Cross in cooperation with a travel agency.
You pay a fixed fee (8,000 SEK for adults, 6,000 SEK for those under 18 at the time of application), and the Red Cross covers the rest. You apply via the form on the website or by calling 020‑415 000 on Wednesdays 9:00–12:00.
How does the Swedish Red Cross handle my personal data?
When you contact us — for example for advice, support, or questions about migration — we may need to collect personal data such as your name, contact details, or other information you choose to share. All information is handled with great care and confidentiality. The Swedish Red Cross processes all personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
If you are a patient within the Health Referral Service or at a treatment center, personal data will be registered about you. The information is necessary for safe and high-quality care and may only be used by authorized personnel. The data is handled according to the Patient Records Act, the Patient Data Act, and other relevant regulations. The data is recorded and protected in our medical record systems and may only be used in accordance with legal requirements.