For teenagers
For 13 to 18-year olds.
Your rights as a child in Sweden
In Sweden, you are considered to be a child until you turn 18. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the law in Sweden. The Convention on the Rights of the Child states what rights all children have. There are also other laws in Sweden that exist to protect children. Here you can read about some of the rights and special rules that exist to protect children.
All children have the right to be free from violence. No adult is allowed to strike, kick, push, pull your hair, or threaten you.
If you have been subjected to violence, call the police at 114 14.
If you are in acute danger, call the police at 112.
Child marriage is forbidden
Different countries have different age limits for when you are considered an adult and when you are considered a child. The rules for getting married also differ from country to country.
In Sweden, you are a child until the day you turn 18, and before that you cannot get married.
This is because it is believed that children should not bear the responsibility of a marriage. Early marriages can make children feel bad both physically and psychologically, because a child can be prevented from developing into their own, independent person and living the life to which they are entitled.
Once you have reached the age of 18, you decide for yourself whether you want to get married and, if so, to whom. No one is allowed to force or trick someone into marriage. It is illegal to try to force or trick a child into travelling to another country to get married. This is a crime that can lead to imprisonment. It is also illegal to force a child to live in a relationship similar to a marriage. When an adult has sex with a child under the age of 15, it counts as rape.
If someone is under the age of 18 and married
If any of the people in a marriage were under the age of 18 when they married, the marriage will not be valid in Sweden.
If you are under the age of 18 and apply for asylum together with the person to whom you are, instead of with your parents, you are counted as an unaccompanied minor. You will then be appointed a special guardian who will help you in your contact with the authorities.
Where to turn
If you have questions or need help, you can talk to a teacher, counsellor or healthcare professional. You can also contact the Swedish Migration Agency or social services in your municipality. If you have a special guardian, you can also turn to them.
If you are afraid that you or someone you know will be married off, you can call the police at 114 14.
Genital mutilation is forbidden
Genital mutilation, sometimes referred to as female circumcision, occurs in many parts of the world. Genital mutilation is when you cut or stitch up a girl’s vulva or damage it in some other way. No one is allowed to do that to a girl, even if it has been a tradition in the family.
Genital mutilation is completely forbidden in Sweden and is seen as a serious crime. The person who has been subjected to genital mutilation is never punished.
Contact the police at 114 14 if you are afraid that you or someone you know will be subjected to genital mutilation. You can also call Kvinnofridslinjen at 020-50 50 50 to get advice and support. Kvinnofridslinjen is a national helpline for women who have been subjected to threats or violence.
Genital mutilation – female circumcision – 1177 (in Swedish) External link.
Youmo – I’ve been subject to female genital mutilation. How can I get help? External link.
You have the right to freedom from honour-related violence and oppression
In some families and extended families, it is important that the family maintain a “good” reputation. There may be rules about what clothes you can wear, who you can hang out with, that you cannot be together with and marry whomever you want, study what you want, or pursue the profession you want.
These rules tend to be the strictest for girls, but there are also rules that apply to boys. If the rules cause you to be poorly treated or punished, this is known as “honour-related violence and oppression”. The poor treatment or punishment may include beatings, threats, or being called mean names. Exposing a child to honour-related violence and oppression is a violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Swedish law.
Sometimes children are forced to control their siblings because the family is worried that rumours about them will spread. But all people have the right to live their own life, the way they want to live it. This applies regardless of your religion or cultural background, what country you come from, or who your family is. All children have the right to live their own lives, and should not have to control anyone else.
Where to turn
If you or someone you know is being subjected to honour-related violence or oppression, you can turn to a teacher at your school, the social services in your municipality, or the Swedish Migration Agency for help. There are also various organisations that can provide support and information about honour-related violence and oppression.
GAPF – National Organisation against Honour-Related Violence (in Swedish) External link.: Here you can get support if you or someone you know are being subjected to honour-related violence or oppression. You can call 08-711 60 32, send an email, or use the chat function.
Kärleken är fri (Love is Free) (in Swedish) External link.: Here you can get support via chat and email if you have questions about honour-related violence or oppression, your rights, love, forced marriage or genital mutilation.
Tris – Girls’ Rights in Society (in Swedish) External link.: Here you can get support if you feel limited by your family or relatives or are subjected to threats or violence when you try to make your own choices. Call 010-255 91 91.
The equal value of all people
In Sweden, there are many laws that state that all people are equal and have the same rights. We are entitled to have the same rights and opportunities in life no matter who we are, what we look like, where we come from, what we believe in, who we fall in love with, or how we function.
There are laws to prevent someone from being discriminated against or having their rights violated. As human beings, we are allowed to feel, think and believe as we please, but we are not allowed to do whatever we want. The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression states that all people have the right to express their thoughts, opinions and feelings, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of someone else. We must all respect the right of our fellow human beings to their own identity and their own life choices.
Gender equality
Gender equality means that boys and girls are equal and should have the same opportunities in life. It also means that adult men and women should have the same rights and obligations. Members of each gender should have equal power to influence society and their own lives.
100 years ago, this was not the case in Sweden. Back then, women didn’t have much power to make decisions about their own lives. It was mostly men who got an education and worked while women stayed at home, taking care of the children, cleaning and doing laundry. A lot has changed since then.
In most families in Sweden today, both parents go to work or study and the children go to preschool, kindergarten, school and after-school care during the day. In the home, both parents often help each other to clean, do laundry, shop and cook, and they take care of the children together.
In order for society to be as fair as possible and give women and men equal power to influence society and their own lives, the Swedish Parliament has decided on various goals for gender equality.
The goals state that
- men and women should have the same opportunity to be financially independent, so that no one is forced to be financially dependent on anyone else
- boys and girls should have equal access to education and the right to choose what educational path they wish to pursue
- men and women should have equal rights to make decisions about their bodies, and men’s violence against women must be eradicated
- household chores should be evenly distributed between men and women. This also means that sisters and brothers in the same family should have equal responsibility for helping with household chores.
Gender identity and sexual orientation
In Sweden, everyone has the right to their own gender identity and sexual orientation. Your gender identity is the gender you feel you are, regardless of what others expect. Your sexual orientation describes the gender of the people to whom you are attracted and fall in love. You have the right to love and be with whomever you want, regardless of whether the person is the same gender or a different gender than yourself.
You don’t have tell other people about your sexual orientation or gender identity unless you want to. There is no sexual orientation or gender identity that violates the law. On the contrary, it is illegal to treat someone unfairly or inferiorly, for example in school or in an organisation, because of the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Where to turn
There are several different organisations and youth guidance centres to which you can turn if you want to know more or if you need support.
Through this organisation, you can connect with other LGBTQI+ people, participate in activities and get support. They also have a network for people who are new to Sweden, RFSL Newcomers External link..
UMO – about sex, health and relationships External link.
UMO is a website for everyone aged 13–25 years where you can read more about sexual orientation and gender identity.
Racism
Racism assumes that people can be divided into different groups and that people belonging to certain groups are of lesser value. For example, it can involve dividing people into groups according to their skin colour, culture or religion.
In Sweden, there are laws that are supposed to protect people from being subjected to racism. For example, it is forbidden to deny a person a job or housing because of the person’s name or origin. It is also forbidden to wear jewellery or clothing with racist text, swastikas, or other symbols that are racist or offensive to a particular group. It is also not permitted to disseminate information claiming that a group or person is worth less, for example because of their skin colour or religion.
Sometimes when you are treated badly, it can be difficult to know whether or not what you have been subjected to is illegal. Talk to someone you trust about what has happened, such as a teacher or someone else with whom you feel safe.
Read more about children's rights
A booklet on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child External link.
Poster about the Convention on the Rights of the Child External link.
The Ombudsman for Children in Sweden External link.
Bris (Barnens rätt i samhället) External link.
Save the children (Rädda barnen) (in Swedish) External link.
Unaccompanied minors
Information for children travelling to Sweden without their parents
You have received a permanent residence permit in Sweden and will soon travel there. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will give you information about what you need to take with you on your trip to Sweden. If you have identity documents (such as a national passport, identity card or birth certificate) or other important documents (such as school certificates, school grades, health cards, or close relatives’ death certificates), bring the original documents with you.
What will happen on the first day?
The IOM is responsible for ensuring that you arrive safely in Sweden. You will travel to Sweden by airplane, and upon arrival you may need to continue your journey to your new home by plane, train or car. A person who works at the municipality will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the place where you will be living. The Swedish authorities will pay for your travel costs and your costs during the journey. They will also cover the cost of transport, food and housing once you have arrived in Sweden.
Where will I live?
In Sweden, you will live with a family or in a group home together with other children and young people. At the group home there will be people who are responsible for you and who can help you. There will be rules to protect the happiness and well-being of everyone living there. For example, one rule may be that it should be quiet after a certain time in the evening, or that dinner is served at a set time every day.
If you come to Sweden together with adults who are not your parents, or if you have close relatives in Sweden with whom you wish to live, the authorities will conduct an investigation to see if you can live with them or near them.
What support can I get?
Special guardians
If your parents are not in Sweden, you will be assigned a “special guardian”, a person who will ensure that you receive care and security. For example, your special guardian can help you when you need to contact the authorities, take care of your finances, and make sure you go to school. Most often, this person’s assignment ends when you turn 18 and become an adult according to Swedish law.
Social services
Sweden has 290 municipalities, and each municipality is a geographically delimited part of Sweden. Each municipality has an organisation that governs matters within the municipality and is responsible for services such as the school system, elderly care and support for families.
These social services are part of the municipality and are responsible for helping and supporting everyone who lives there. The social services will appoint a person who will work with you to draw up a plan for your housing, schooling, care and other things that play an important role in ensuring you have a good life in Sweden. Your own contact person is also responsible for ensuring that you get the support and help you need from Swedish society.
School
In Sweden, all children have the right to education and it is free of charge. In Sweden, all children must undergo compulsory schooling from kindergarten through secondary school. This means that you must go to school and participate in the teaching five days a week. To become an active participant in Swedish society and to later be able to get a job, you need to learn Swedish. During school hours, you can talk to your teacher or school counsellor if you need help or are unsure about something. After school, there will be time to do your homework or devote yourself to your interests or hobbies. In Sweden, once you turn 16 years old you can also work after school hours and during the holidays.
Healthcare
In Sweden, children receive free healthcare. If you become ill, you can talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional about the problems you are having. They are sworn to secrecy and are therefore not allowed to tell anyone what you have said. Contact your school nurse or health centre if you want to see a doctor.
You can find your nearest healthcare provider here: https://www.1177.se/hitta-vard/ (in Swedish) External link.
Can I be reunited with my family?
If you have been separated from your family and need help finding them, you can contact the Swedish Red Cross. They can help you search for your close relatives.
Their website is: www.rodakorset.se (in Swedish) External link..
For advice over the phone, call: 020-41 50 00.
If you wish, your parents and siblings can apply to be reunited with you in Sweden. It usually takes quite a long time from when the application is made to when you receive a response, and there are many different rules for family reunification based on close family ties.
Read more about family reunification and how to apply for it
Education
Education in Sweden
Going to school is an important part of growing up in Sweden. Once you have moved to Sweden, you will start going to school there, too.
The Swedish compulsory school system has different levels: kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, and upper secondary school. When you’re six years old, you start kindergarten, and the year you turn sixteen, you finish ninth grade. That marks the end of your compulsory education. After that, you can start upper secondary school, which lasts three years.
Upper secondary school is not mandatory, but it is good for you to go to upper secondary school because it makes it easier for you to get a job. You must also attend upper secondary school if you want to continue your studies at a college or university.
In Sweden, education is free for everyone. Boys and girls attend school together. The school day includes a free meal, which you get during your daily lunch break. In Sweden, there are no school uniforms. You can decide for yourself what you want to wear to school.
Going to school in Sweden
When you come to Sweden, you will get a place at a school. There, the teachers will first find out what knowledge you have from before, so that you end up in the right class. Then they will make a plan for what you are going to learn. It is common for children who are new to Sweden to attend a so-called “preparatory class” first. In the preparatory class you will get an introduction to the Swedish language and learn about Swedish culture.
Going to school is important for children and young people in Sweden. In school you will learn mathematics, science, social studies, geography, sports and music. All pupils have Swedish and English lessons.
You will go to school five days a week and usually also have homework to do after school. A normal day at school starts around 08:00 in the morning and ends in the afternoon. In addition to your time in the classroom and learning about different things, you will have a lunch break and breaks between classes during which you will get to know your classmates.
In school, it is important that pupils show respect for their teachers, and also that teachers show respect for the pupils. You can use your teachers’ first names when speaking to them. It is common for pupils to talk openly with their teachers about many different topics.
In Sweden, children’s education is not only the responsibility of the school. Parents and legal guardians also play an important role. The teachers have regular meetings with pupils and legal guardians to talk about how things are going in school and how the pupil can get the help they need.
Teachers may also talk to a pupil and their legal guardian if the pupil does not follow the rules at school. No teacher in school is ever allowed to use violence against a pupil. When a pupil breaks the school’s rules, there are other ways to resolve the issue.
You can get support during your studies
The well-being of young people is important. That is why Swedish schools have special staff who can guide and help you during your schooling. For example, there are counsellors and school nurses to talk to if you have problems or questions about your studies, friends or family. They are not allowed to talk to anyone else about what you have told them. This means that you can talk to the counsellor or school nurse about things that you do not dare or want to talk about with your family or friends.
In addition to helping you with your mental and physical well-being, schools also have a student counsellor. The student counsellor can help you figure out what you want to do after you finish school. They can also help you apply to a higher education programme and tell you about various jobs and career paths.
Higher education
After completing primary and secondary school, it is recommended that you continue your studies at an upper secondary school. There are many different upper secondary school programmes with different subject specialisations. This gives you the opportunity to study something that you really enjoy.
Questions to think about and discuss
- How do schools work in your country of origin? What differences or similarities do you think there are compared to Sweden?
- Do you have a plan for what you want to study or work with in the future?
Friends and relationships
Meeting new friends is a great way to start your new life in Sweden. It’s fun to hang out with friends and they can also be a good support for you when you are new to Sweden. Through friends, you gain a community in your new country and the place where you live. It is also a good way to practice your Swedish language skills.
How to make new friends
Making new friends in a new country can feel a bit difficult at first. Once place where you can make new friends is at school, where you will spend time with your new classmates and other pupils every day. In Sweden, it is common to continue socialising even after the end of the school day, at each other’s homes, at a youth recreation centre, or through various activities. In Sweden, children and young people socialise with each other regardless of their gender, religion or country of origin.
Many kids meet friends through shared interests and hobbies. Examples of such hobbies include sports, music, film, and reading. There are sports clubs that you can join and various other meeting places for people with shared interests and hobbies.
Online friends
People in Sweden are used to using technology and the internet in their everyday lives. Friends usually connect with each other by calling, texting, and meeting in other common forums on the internet. Some friends spend time together in real life and online, while others only socialise online. Playing games online is a common way to make friends.
Keep in mind
While it’s fun to make new friends and talk to people online, there are a few simple rules that everyone should follow.
- Images and messages: Not everyone online is who they claim to be. Therefore, it is important that you think twice before sharing images and texts. Be mindful that once you have shared an image, you can’t control how it is used by others.
- Passwords: Never reveal your passwords. If your password has been shared with someone, change your password.
- Be careful when meeting someone you’ve never met before. You can never be sure that the person is who they say they are on the internet.
- Be careful how you express yourself in text and what you write about others. Text can be interpreted in different ways by different people. Sometimes what you say may be hurtful, even if you didn’t mean for it to be.
Friends and relationships in Sweden
People of different genders and backgrounds often hang out together in Sweden. Friendships can take different forms. All friendships are based on kindness and interest in each other.
In some cases, being friendly and showing interest can mean that someone is interested in having a romantic relationship, but it can also just mean they want to be friends. Therefore, if you feel unsure about the relationship that you and a friend have, it is important that you talk to the friend.
Consent is key
If you are starting a romantic relationship with another person, it is important to respect that person’s will, as well as your own. Consent means that both people in a relationship should want to do what they do together, for example, a sexual activity. If one of the people is unwilling, the other person has to accept it.
Read more about consent (in Swedish) External link.
Read about sex, body and health External link.
Bullying
Bullying can be both physical and psychological and can happen at school, during leisure time, and on the internet. Bullying is when someone hits or hurts someone else, says mean things, or spreads rumours. It can also mean making someone feel unwelcome or like an outcast.
If you or someone you know are being bullied, talk to a teacher, school counsellor, parent, or another adult you trust and tell them about what has happened.
Questions to think about and discuss
- Do you have any hobbies? How can you find like-minded people with whom to share your hobby?
- Are there any differences between how relationships work in Sweden, compared to what you are used to?
Engelska | Svenska |
|---|---|
Welcome | Välkommen |
Hello | Hej |
How are you? | Hur mår du? |
I am fine | Jag mår bra |
Thank you | Tack |
You are welcome | Varsågod |
Please | Snälla |
Sorry | Förlåt |
What is your name? | Vad heter du? |
My name is ... | Jag heter ... |
I do not understand | Jag förstår inte |
I do not speak Swedish | Jag pratar inte svenska |
Goodbye | Hej då |