Many people are currently considering transitioning from temporary protection (tillfälligt skydd) to another type of permit, in particular a work permit. We would like to remind you that with a change of status, some practical aspects also change.

1. Driving licence

‍We have written about this before, but here is a short reminder.

As long as you have status under the Mass Influx Directive (massflyktsdirektivet), a special exception under EU Regulation 2022/1280 applies. Ukrainian driving licences are recognised in Sweden during the period of temporary protection.

However, if you switch to another type of permit and no longer have status under the Directive, this special rule may no longer apply.

In that case, the general Swedish rule usually applies: a driving licence from a non-EEA country is valid only for one year from the date you were registered as a resident in Sweden (folkbokförd).

This means that if you have had a personal number for some time and are planning a transition, you should check the date of your registration. The one year is counted from the date of registration in Sweden, not from the date you receive a work permit.

This can come as an unpleasant surprise, as obtaining a Swedish driving licence takes time — theory, practice, queues, and preparation.

Our organisation has contacted the Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen) regarding this issue. We will share an update once we receive their response.

2. CSN and education‍

It is important to distinguish between the right to study and the right to receive CSN.

Education itself may remain accessible. For example, a person with a work permit may be exempt from tuition and application fees if they hold a residence permit in Sweden on grounds other than studies.

However, CSN is a different matter. For citizens of countries outside the EEA/Switzerland, a permanent residence permit (PUT) or one of a limited number of specific statuses is usually required. A temporary work permit is generally not sufficient.

Therefore, if you currently receive CSN based on temporary protection, this entitlement may disappear after switching to a work permit or to a permit as a family member of a worker.

In other words: studying is usually still possible — but CSN funding must be checked separately in your individual case.

3. Social security‍

When changing status, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) may reassess your right to benefits.

This does not mean that all benefits automatically stop. However, a change of permit type may trigger a new assessment.

Försäkringskassan typically looks at:
— whether you have a valid residence permit
— whether you are considered resident in Sweden under the Social Insurance Code (socialförsäkringsbalken)
— whether the conditions for a specific benefit are met

It is important to note that people who received a personal number after 1 November 2024 under temporary protection are not considered “insured for residence-based benefits”. This means they cannot access certain benefits solely based on residence, such as child allowance (barnbidrag), housing allowance (bostadsbidrag), or parental benefit at the basic level.

Switching to a work permit and being registered as a resident may change this situation and open access to benefits that were previously unavailable.

Please note: from 1 January 2027, new legislation (Prop. 2025/26:136) will enter into force and may change access conditions for some benefits, including for those with work permits or temporary protection. We are currently analysing this and will share more details soon.

If you are planning a transition from temporary protection to another type of permit, do not focus only on migration requirements. Also check your driving licence, CSN, social benefits, family members’ rights, and practical implications for children.

The above is an analytical overview and does not constitute legal advice. Each situation is individual and should be assessed with the relevant authorities.

The EmpowerHUB project is implemented by HUG and partners and co-funded by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).