repatriation grant

new roots4 minutes

Sweden’s återvandringsbidrag (repatriation grant) is financial support for certain people who have a residence permit based on protection-related grounds and who voluntarily leave Sweden to settle in another country where they have the legal right to live.

It is not available to everyone with a Swedish residence permit. You also cannot receive the grant if you are moving to another EU country, EEA country or Switzerland.

From 1 January 2026, the grant can be up to 350,000 SEK per adult and 25,000 SEK per child, subject to maximum amounts for couples and households.

If you have a protection-based residence permit in Sweden and are considering moving permanently to another country, you may have heard about the återvandringsbidrag, or repatriation grant.

The grant provides financial support for voluntary repatriation or permanent settlement outside Sweden. The amount was significantly increased from 1 January 2026.

But the grant is not a general payment for anyone leaving Sweden. Your residence permit, when you received it, your personal circumstances and where you plan to move all matter.

The first thing to check is your residence permit.

The grant is intended for people living in Sweden who have held a temporary or permanent residence permit since 12 September 2024 or earlier, where the permit was granted on one of the grounds covered by the rules.

Simply having a Swedish residence permit does not mean you qualify.

There are also other conditions and exclusions, so eligibility needs to be checked against your individual circumstances.

From 1 January 2026, the maximum amounts are:

  • 350,000 SEK per adult aged 18 or over
  • 25,000 SEK per child under 18
  • maximum 500,000 SEK for spouses or cohabiting partners applying together
  • maximum 600,000 SEK for a household

These are maximum amounts. Receiving the maximum is not automatic.

The grant is not normally paid in full when your application is approved.

The payment is made in stages:

  1. 20% of the grant is paid after the grant decision, while you are still in Sweden.
  2. After you have left Sweden and arrived at your destination, 40% of the remaining amount is paid.
  3. The final 60% of the remaining amount can be paid no earlier than 15 months after you leave Sweden, subject to the conditions being met.

This means you should not treat the full grant amount as money that will be available immediately.

The country you move to is also important.

You must be moving to a country where you have the legal right to live and settle.

However, the repatriation grant cannot be paid if you are moving to a country in:

  • the EU
  • the EEA
  • Switzerland

This means the grant is not intended to help someone move from Sweden to another European country such as Germany, France, Spain, Denmark or Norway.

You do not necessarily have to return to the country you originally came from. You may be able to move to another country where you have the legal right to settle, provided you meet all the other requirements.

There are several situations where the grant cannot be paid.

These include, among others:

  • being a Swedish citizen
  • having previously received a repatriation grant
  • moving to an EU/EEA country or Switzerland
  • having a residence permit that does not meet the relevant requirements
  • certain unpaid debts to CSN or Kronofogden
  • certain criminal circumstances
  • having a temporary protection permit under the EU Mass Displacement Directive for people from Ukraine

Migrationsverket checks these conditions as part of the application.

Receiving the grant and leaving Sweden can affect your right to live in Sweden.

If you have a permanent residence permit and want to retain it while living abroad, you need to notify Migrationsverket before leaving Sweden and meet the relevant conditions.

If you have a temporary residence permit, leaving Sweden and allowing the permit to expire can affect your ability to return.

Before accepting the grant and moving, make sure you understand what will happen to your Swedish residence status.

The grant can be reclaimed in certain circumstances.

For example, you may have to repay money if you:

  • do not leave Sweden within the required period
  • return to Sweden after receiving the grant
  • received the grant because of incorrect or incomplete information

The grant should therefore be treated as support for a genuine move away from Sweden, not as a payment you can receive and then simply change your mind about.

The increased grant came into effect on 1 January 2026, and Migrationsverket has since approved the first applications under the new rules.

However, approval is not automatic. Migrationsverket assesses each application individually.

Common reasons for rejection include having the wrong type of residence permit, not meeting the relevant permit-date requirement, or having certain unpaid debts.

before applying check:

☐ what type of Swedish residence permit you have
☐ when that permit was granted
☐ whether your circumstances meet the protection-related requirements
☐ where you intend to move
☐ whether you have the legal right to live there
☐ whether the destination is outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland
☐ what will happen to your Swedish residence permit
☐ whether you have any debts or other circumstances that could affect your application

The safest approach is to check the current requirements with Migrationsverket before making irreversible arrangements to leave Sweden.

  • The maximum amount is not guaranteed: the figures of 350,000 SEK per adult and 25,000 SEK per child are the maximum amounts under the current rules. Migrationsverket decides whether an individual applicant qualifies
  • Check your residence permit carefully: having a residence permit does not automatically make you eligible. The type of permit and when it was granted are important
  • Think carefully about your destination: you need to have the legal right to settle in the country you are moving to, and some destinations are excluded
  • Understand what happens to your Swedish residence status: leaving Sweden can affect your residence permit. If you are unsure what this means for you, get advice before making a decision
  • The grant is paid in stages: you should not assume that the full amount will be available before you leave Sweden
  • This is not the same as forced return: the återvandringsbidrag concerns voluntary repatriation. It is separate from the process used when someone has a removal or deportation decision

This article provides general information and is not legal, financial or immigration advice. Rules and individual circumstances can affect eligibility. Always check the latest information with Migrationsverket before making decisions based on the repatriation grant.

↗︎ Migrationsverket: Repatriation grant

can anyone who leaves sweden receive the grant?

No. The grant is only available to people who meet the specific requirements. Your residence permit, personal circumstances and destination all matter.

how much can one adult receive?

Up to 350,000 SEK under the rules introduced in 2026.

how much can a child receive?

Up to 25,000 SEK for a person under 18.

can a family receive more than 350,000 SEK?

Yes. There are higher maximums for couples and households. Spouses or cohabiting partners can receive up to 500,000 SEK together, while the maximum for a household is 600,000 SEK.

can I move to another e.u. country and receive the grant?

No. The repatriation grant cannot be used to settle in another EU or EEA country or Switzerland.

do I receive all the money before leaving sweden?

No. The grant is normally paid in stages, with payments linked to approval, arrival in the destination country and later conditions.

do I need to be moving to my country of citizenship?

Not necessarily. The rules can also allow a move to another country where you have the legal right to settle.

does receiving the grant mean I can come back to sweden later?

You should not assume that. Returning to Sweden can have consequences for the grant and your residence status, including possible repayment. Check the conditions before applying.

where do I apply?

Applications are handled by Migrationsverket.