Sweden is offering up to €32,000 for voluntary departure. Here’s who is eligible for the payment and why it isn’t available to all Ukrainians
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Sweden may pay up to 350,000 kronor, or about 32,000 euros, to an adult foreign national who voluntarily and permanently leaves the country. However, Ukrainians with a residence permit under the EU Temporary Protection Directive are not eligible for this payment. Only certain categories of Ukrainian citizens who have been granted another form of protection status in Sweden are eligible to apply.
Sweden Has Increased Payments for Voluntary Departure
As of January 1, 2026, new assistance amounts are in effect in Sweden for foreign nationals who have decided to leave the country permanently. The maximum payment per adult has been increased from 10,000 to 350,000 Swedish kronor. This is approximately 32,000 euros, although the exact amount depends on the exchange rate.
Sweden’s voluntary repatriation program has been in place since 1984. Its purpose is to help people with certain types of residence permits move to their country of origin or another country where they have the right to live. The funds can be used to organize the move and settle into a new place.
Voluntary repatriation should not be confused with deportation. Participation in the program is possible only at the individual’s own discretion, provided they are legally residing in Sweden. Individuals who have received a refusal of entry or a deportation order are not eligible for this assistance.
Learn more about immigration opportunities to Sweden in 2026 by following the link.
Who is eligible to receive up to 32,000 euros?
Foreign nationals residing in Sweden who obtained the appropriate temporary or permanent residence permit no later than September 12, 2024, may apply. The mere fact of legally residing in the country does not grant entitlement to this assistance. The grounds on which the permit was issued are decisive.
The program applies to individuals who have been granted a residence permit:
– As refugees or persons in need of subsidiary protection
– As quota refugees
– Due to exceptionally difficult life circumstances
– Under the now-repealed law on temporary restrictions for asylum seekers
– Under certain provisions of the former law on permits for high school students
Under certain conditions, family members of such an applicant may also receive assistance. They must hold their own residence permit, issued on the basis of a family relationship by September 12, 2024, and live together with the primary applicant.
The recipient intends to settle permanently outside of Sweden. It is also necessary to confirm the right to reside in the destination country. To do this, one can provide a passport from that country or a valid residence permit. It is not possible to relocate to another EU country, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland under this program.
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Is the payment available to Ukrainians in Sweden?
Ukrainians residing in Sweden under the EU Temporary Protection Directive are not eligible for the voluntary departure payment. This restriction is explicitly stated in the program’s terms and conditions. It applies even to those who have lived in the country for a long time, are employed, and are registered in the Swedish population register.
At the same time, Ukrainian citizenship in and of itself is not grounds for denial.
Ukrainians who have refugee status, subsidiary protection, or another type of residence permit provided for by the program may be eligible for the assistance. Such a permit must have been issued no later than September 12, 2024.
Therefore, the payment of approximately 32,000 euros is not a general program for returning Ukrainians home. Most Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Sweden after the start of the full-scale war and received temporary protection do not meet the program’s requirements. The Swedish Migration Agency reviews each application on a case-by-case basis.
In a previous article, we reported that Sweden is tightening rules for migrants: obtaining a residence permit will become more difficult.
How much is paid to adults, children, and families?
The amount of assistance depends on the applicants’ age and household composition. The amounts are set in Swedish kronor, so their equivalent in euros fluctuates with the exchange rate.
Starting January 1, 2026, the following payments are provided:
– 350,000 kronor per adult applicant—approximately 32,000 euros
– 25,000 kronor per child—about 2,300 euros
– Up to 500,000 kronor for spouses or partners living together
– Up to 600,000 kronor per household
Therefore, two adults will not be able to receive a total of 700,000 kronor, even if each of them meets the program’s eligibility requirements. A separate limit of 500,000 kronor applies to a couple. If a family with children applies, the total amount cannot exceed 600,000 kronor, or approximately 55,000 euros.
How do you apply and receive the funds?
The application for assistance must be submitted to the Swedish Migration Agency. Before applying, the applicant must ensure they have a valid travel document and are authorized to reside in the country to which they plan to move.
The application must be accompanied by documents confirming the applicant’s identity, immigration status, and eligibility for permanent residence outside Sweden. Specifically, the Migration Agency may require copies of all passport pages, information about family members, and a bank statement from a Swedish bank account. An incomplete set of documents may result in the application being denied.
The approved amount is not paid out in a single lump sum. The funds are disbursed in three stages:
– 20% of the total amount – after the application is approved, while the person is still in Sweden
– 40% of the remaining amount – upon arrival in the destination country
– 60% of the remaining amount — no earlier than 15 months after leaving Sweden
To receive the final installment, the applicant’s Swedish residence permit must have expired or been revoked. This procedure allows the authorities to verify that the person has indeed left Sweden and settled in another country.
When planning a trip to Europe by car, it is important to take care of paying for toll roads in advance. A vignette allows you to legally drive on the highways of many European countries without fines and unnecessary stops. You can issue a vignette quickly and online on Visit Ukraine – it is convenient, transparent and suitable for both short trips and long journeys.
We remind you! With the arrival of spring, Ukrainians are increasingly planning trips abroad in their own cars, but this also brings a greater risk of encountering fraudsters. Find out how scams involving fake ‘Green Cards’ work, what risks this poses to drivers, and how to check the authenticity of an insurance policy before your trip.
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Frequantly
asked questions
Are Ukrainians with temporary protection eligible to receive the payment?
No. A residence permit issued under the EU Directive on Temporary Protection does not entitle Ukrainians to receive assistance. Only Ukrainian citizens with other statuses provided for by the program, obtained no later than September 12, 2024, may apply.
Will the 32,000 euros be paid out all at once?
No. Initially, the applicant receives 20% of the approved amount. The next installment is transferred upon arrival in the destination country, and the final payment is made no earlier than 15 months after departure.
Can every adult family member receive 350,000 crowns?
General restrictions apply to families. Spouses or partners may receive a combined total of no more than 500,000 crowns, and the maximum payment per household is 600,000 crowns.
Can this program be used to move to another EU country?
No. The assistance is not paid to people who plan to settle in the EU, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland. The applicant may move to their country of origin or another country where they have a legal right of residence.
Is it possible to return to Sweden after receiving the payment?
Returning is possible as long as the residence permit remains valid. However, in that case, the funds received must be repaid. The final installment of the assistance is paid only after the Swedish residence permit has been revoked or has expired.