Changed rules on asylum seekers' accommodation
From 1 September, the main rule is that asylum seekers must live in the accommodation allocated by the Swedish Migration Agency in order to be entitled to daily allowance and special grant.
During the spring and summer, all asylum seekers who live in accommodation they have arranged themselves, so-called own accommodation (EBO), have been allocated a place at one of the Swedish Migration Agency's reception and return centers. To be entitled to financial assistance from the Swedish Migration Agency, the person must move into the Swedish Migration Agency's accommodation by 31 August.
Asylum seekers always have the right to a place to stay
Asylum seekers always have the right to a place in one of the Swedish Migration Agency's reception and return centers. This means that even if an asylum seeker does not accept their allocated place and instead stays in their own accommodation, the right to a place remains if the need arises in the future.
The Swedish Migration Agency will, as far as possible, take into account the asylum seeker's wishes as to where in the country they wish to be placed.
Only asylum seekers are covered
The rule change only applies to persons staying in Sweden as asylum seekers. Unaccompanied minors and persons granted temporary protection under the Mass Refugee Directive are not covered.
The background to the amended rules is a change in the law that came into force on March 1 this year.
Read more about the change in the law in a previous news item New arrangement for asylum seekers’ accommodation from 1 March