If you’re getting married according to Muslim traditions in Sweden, it’s crucial to understand that the marriage won’t automatically be recognized under Swedish law. Unless you request to have the marriage registered in Sweden, you will instead be considered as cohabitants. This means you won’t have the same legal protections as married couples. Therefore, it’s important to prepare both a cohabitation agreement and/or a will when planning a Muslim wedding in Sweden.

Why do you need these agreements when marrying according to Muslim tradition?

A cohabitation agreement and a will complement each other. The cohabitation agreement protects you in the event of a separation, while the will protects you in case of death. For many couples, both are necessary to ensure full legal protection.

Through a cohabitation agreement, you primarily decide what should happen in case of a separation. According to cohabitation laws, you’re required to equally divide shared housing and household items, regardless of who paid more. By drafting a cohabitation agreement, you can deviate from these rules and define how you want to distribute your assets, even when marrying according to Muslim tradition.

A will becomes crucial if one of you passes away. Since cohabitants don’t inherit each other under Swedish law, the deceased’s assets will primarily go to their children or other relatives. This can have significant consequences for the surviving partner, especially if you own a home together. The children inherit the deceased’s share, often requiring the surviving partner to buy out the children to keep the home. Many families have faced situations where the surviving partner is forced to sell the home and plan a move while grieving.

How does Mehr apply when marrying according to Muslim tradition in Sweden?

In a Muslim marriage, there’s often a religious agreement regarding mehr. However, such an agreement isn’t automatically valid under Swedish law. To have legal significance, the terms have to be formulated in compliance with Swedish legal standards. In some cases, you may also need to supplement the mehr with additional agreements.

It’s a good idea to review how you handle mehr legally, especially if the agreement involves financial obligations.

What should a cohabitation agreement and will include?

To avoid misunderstandings, it’s important that the agreements are clear and properly drafted. Key elements to plan for when marrying according to Muslim tradition are:

• How you plan to distribute housing and household items in case of a separation.
• If certain assets should be excluded from division.
• How you’ll handle other financial agreements, such as mehr.
• Provisions in the event of death, such as whether the surviving partner can remain in the home.
• How disputes will be resolved.

Consequences of not having agreements

It’s important to remember that when marrying according to Muslim tradition in Sweden, if you don’t have a cohabitation agreement, cohabitation laws apply. This means that you’ll have to equally share housing and household items in case of a separation. Without a will, cohabitants don’t inherit each other, which can lead to unintended consequences.

By drafting clear legal documents, you reduce potential risks and provide your family with better conditions for secure solutions.

Do you need legal help?

Applying for Swedish citizenship can be a time-consuming process. In some cases, the processing time is prolonged, leading to uncertainty and frustration. If you find yourself in such a situation, you can submit a request to have the Swedish Migration Agency decide your Swedish citizenship case decided by the Swedish Migration Agency. Here, we explain what this entails and how the process works.

What does a request to decide a case of Swedish citizenship?

You can make a request to decide a case if the processing time for your application has become unreasonably long. According to the Swedish Administrative Procedures Act, as an applicant, you have the right to demand that the Swedish Migration Agency makes a decision within a reasonable time. Once you submit such a request, they’re obligated to decide on your case within four weeks or deny your request. If denied, you’ll receive a formal rejection of your request to decide the case.

Make sure that your request is well-structured and include all relevant documents to make the process as smooth as possible.

How to apply for a decision on your case?

To request that the Migration Agency decide on your Swedish citizenship case, you need to complete and submit a specific form to the Swedish Migration Agency. You can find that form here. In your request, you should clearly state that you’re asking the Migration Agency to decide on the case as soon as possible and explain why you believe the processing time has been excessively long. Remember to include all necessary documents, such as copies of your original application and any additional submissions. This ensures the Migration Agency can promptly handle your request.

Since you can only make a request to decide on your Swedish citizenship case once, it’s advisable to consult a lawyer for assistance. A lawyer can provide advice on what to include in your request. They can also help you complete the application if needed.

Timeframes and rights under Swedish citizenship caw

By law, the Swedish Migration Agency is obligated to process citizenship cases within a reasonable time. If you submit a request to decide your Swedish citizenship case, the agency must either make a decision within four weeks or deny your request to decide the case.

Keep in mind that some cases may require additional actions or documents, which could affect the processing time. To avoid unnecessary delays, make sure all information is accurate and up-to-date before submitting your request.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Anastasia Martin, Atefa Jafary, Aja Wadii

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has recently confirmed in a ruling that individuals with protection under the Temporary Protection Directive also have the right to have their asylum applications examined regarding subsidiary protection/subsidiary protection status declaration. This ruling follows a case brought by the Swedish Refugee Law Center, where a Ukrainian family applied for subsidiary protection but was denied, ultimately taking the matter to the CJEU. The Court now state that Ukrainians in the EU have the right to apply for subsidiary protection/subsidiary protection status declaration and have their applications examined according to the rules set out in national law.

Protection for Ukrainians under the Temporary Protection Directive

Almost everyone who fled from Ukraine to Sweden has been granted protection under the Temporary Protection Directive. This gives a person the right to protection, work, and certain forms of support for a limited period of time. However, it doesn’t provide the same rights or long-term stability as a “regular” residence permit based on refugee status.

Because of this, many Ukrainians have also applied for asylum, which would grant them stronger and more durable rights. But Swedish authorities have chosen not to examine these applications. Instead they’ve stated that applicants are already protected under the Temporary Protection Directive. According to Swedish authorities, applications could only be examined once this protection expires. As of now, it’s set to last until March 2027.

What the CJEU now has established

The CJEU clarifies that Ukrainians with protection under the Temporary Protection Directive have the right to have their asylum applications for subsidiary protection/subsidiary protection status declaration examined. According to the CJEU, EU law in this area take precedence over national legislation. This means that:

• Swedish authorities may no longer reject asylum applications solely because the applicant already has temporary protection.
• Courts and the Swedish Migration Agency must examine asylum applications in the usual way, even for those who’re protected under the Temporary Protection Directive.

Ukrainians who want to apply for subsidiary protection

If you’re Ukrainian and want to apply for subsidiary protection in Sweden, you have to personally submit an asylum application to the Swedish Migration Agency. This is done at one of their service centers. You can also seek help from a lawyer when applying for asylum. It isn’t required to hire a lawyer. However doing so can make it easier to understand your chances of having your application approved. The Migration Agency will then investigate your case and make a decision.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Anastasia Martin, Atefa Jafary

If you were injured in connection with healthcare or treatment – for example by being given the wrong medication, receiving an incorrect diagnosis, or experiencing a procedure that went wrong – it can be considered a healthcare injury. This applies to general healthcare as well as dental care. If you decide to report a healthcare injury, you could be entitled to compensation as long as you meet the requirements and follow the correct process.

What counts as a healthcare injury?

A healthcare injury is an injury that has occurred in connection with healthcare or treatment and which could’e been avoided if everything had been done correctly. It may involve:

• Incorrect medication or the wrong dosage
• An incorrect diagnosis that led to delayed treatment
• Complications during surgery
• Infections acquired during a hospital stay
• Physical or psychological injuries that could’ve been avoided

To qualify for compensation, the injury must’ve been avoidable according to medical expertise. It isn’t enough to simply be unhappy with your care, there has to be an actual error or deficiency.

How do I report a healthcare injury?

You report the injury directly to the insurance company that covers the healthcare provider. If your care was provided by a region or another public healthcare provider, you’ll generally need to contact Löf (the Swedish patient insurance). If you received care from a private provider, you’ll have to ask which patient insurance they use and report the injury to their insurance company.

In case you also want to submit complaints or comments about the care or how you were treated, you need to contact the Patient advisory committee (Patientnämnden) or the The Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO).

Cost and compensation

It’s completely free to report a healthcare injury and have your case reviewed. If your claim is approved, you could receive compensation for:

• Additional expenses, such as medication or assistive devices related to the injury
• Loss of income if you were unable to work
• Pain and suffering during recovery
• Scarring or other lasting harm

The insurance company will determine whether you’re entitled to compensation, and if so, how much. You’ll always receive a written decision.

Important things to keep in mind when reporting a healthcare injury

• Save all documentation. Medical records, receipts, and your own notes can be important.
• Write down what happened as soon as possible while details are still fresh.
• Ask for help if the process feels difficult. Healthcare staff, a family member, a lawyer, or the insurance company can assist you.
• Report in time. There are deadlines for how long after an injury you can file a claim. Typically it’s three years from when you became aware of the injury.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend:

There’s a proposal in Sweden that, if passed, could revoke permanent residence permits for many. The proposal is part of the tightening measures that have, and will continue to be, introduced in migration policy. The aim is to increase the requirements for being allowed to stay permanently in Sweden.

Currently, a permanent residence permit is generally valid for life. A permanent residence permit can only be revoked today if:

• you commit a serious crime.
• you move abroad.
• you’ve lied or kept information proven to be important when granting a permanent residence permit.

What does the new proposal to revoke permanent residence permits mean?

The proposal advocates making it possible to change some permanent residence permits to temporary permits. It applies to people who have received their permanent residence permits as refugees, persons in need of protection and their family members. It also applies to people who have received their permanent residence permits through temporary laws, such as the Temporary Aliens Act or the Upper Secondary School Act.

The proposal doesn’t apply to those who’ve gotten their permanent residence permits through a work permit. It also doesn’t apply to people who’ve applied for Swedish citizenship within a specified time frame.

When will a decision on the proposal be made?

Before a decision can be made, it has to be sent out for consultation. This means that various authorities, organizations, and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide their opinions on the proposal. Only after that can the Parliament proceed and decide on whether to revoke permanent residence permits. If they decide to approve the proposal, the legislative changes would come into effect no earlier than January 1st 2027.

Why a proposal to revoke permanent residence permits?

The reason behind the proposal is that people with permanent residence permits should no longer view it as final destination. By making it possible to revoke permanent residence permits, the intention is to encourage people to apply for citizenship instead, ensuring their right to remain in Sweden. This would mean that Swedish citizenship becomes the secure, long-term solution – not the permanent residence permit.

What consequences could it have?

For many people, the proposal means increased uncertainty. Even those who’ve lived in Sweden for a long time with a permit could face having it revoked in the future, leading to not being able to plan for a longterm life in Sweden. This, in turn, leads to increased psychological stress and anxiety, which is particularly burdensome given the long processing times at the Swedish Migration Agency.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Anastasia Martin, Aja Wadii, Atefa Jafary

A general power of attorney is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to act on your behalf. This can include the right to make decisions and take actions for you in financial and legal matters. The person who receives the power of attorney becomes the attorney-in-fact and can, for example, manage your banking affairs, sign contracts, or communicate with government agencies on your behalf.

When might you need a general power of attorney?

You may need a general power of attorney when you’re capable of managing your own affairs but, for various reasons, can’t or prefer not to do so. It’s common to establish one, for example, when:

• Someone is traveling or living abroad for an extended period of time.
• It’s important that a trusted relative can help by making crucial decisions quickly when needed.

The general power of attorney is only valid as long as you’re capable of making your own decisions. If you lose the ability to make decisions, for example due to a serious illness, it ceases to be valid. In that case, you would instead need an enduring power of attorney.

Write it yourself or get help from a lawyer

There are two common ways to create a general power of attorney:

• Use a ready-made template
  Many websites offer ready-made templates so you can draw up legal documents. This is a cheaper way to draw up legal documents when needed. When using a template, it’s important to make sure that the document is legally binding and correctly worded. Otherwise, the document can be invalid.
• Use a specialized legal document service
  At Kliently, you can draw up a general power of attorney in Swedish for individuals or businesses through our legal document service. Unlike the ready-made templates available online, our service guides you step by step through the entire document. Since you receive guidance on how to complete the document, you can be confident that your general power of attorney will be complete and legally binding once you receive it.
• Get help from a lawyer
  Sometimes, it can be a good idea to ask a lawyer for help when drawing up legal documents. A lawyer can tailor the power of attorney to your specific needs. This is especially useful when there are factors that could affect how the document needs to be written. And even if you don’t want a lawyer to draft the document, you can still ask to have it reviewed.

Keep in mind

• Choose a trustworthy person – Since the attorney-in-fact is given extensive rights, make sure you choose someone you truly trust.
• Be clear about the scope – Even though a general power of attorney can be broad and apply in many different situations, it can be wise to consider whether you want to specify that the holder isn’t given authority in certain specific matters.
• Store the original safely – Banks or other parties can want to see the original document.
• Consider its validity – If you want to revoke the power of attorney, you have to do so in writing and inform everyone who may have used it.

A general power of attorney can be a secure solution if you need someone to act on your behalf. However, it requires careful consideration of whom you choose and how you want to structure the document.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Samir Baraka, Marie-Louise Silfwerax

To know when you’re entitled to receive vacation allowance, it’s important to first understand the difference between vacation pay and vacation allowance. Vacation pay is what you receive when you’re on vacation. It consists of your regular salary plus an additional amount. This means you get slightly higher pay for a vacation day than for a regular workday. This is to encourage people to take vacation and get the rest and break needed from work.

Vacation allowance is the compensation you’re entitled to for the vacation days you haven’t taken. If you choose to save your vacation days, or if you leave a job and still have vacation days you haven’t taken, you’re entitled to vacation allowance for those days.

When do you receive vacation allowance?

You receive your vacation allowance when you:

• leave your job and still have unused vacation days.
• have a type of employment where you aren’t entitled to paid vacation leave.
• work shorter assignments, for example, if you’re employed by the hour or work on a project without any fixed vacation.

If you have a permanent employment, you usually receive your vacation allowance when you leave your job. At that point, you receive the allowance either together with your final salary or as a separate payment. It depends on the employer’s routines.

When you have a permanent job

When you have a permanent employment, you usually receive paid vacation instead of vacation allowance. This means that on your payslip, you’ll see how many paid vacation days you’ve earned and saved from previous periods. You won’t normally see the exact amount of allowance for those days.

According to the Swedish Annual Leave Act, your employer isn’t allowed to pay out your vacation allowance continuously if you have a permanent employment without an end date. When you resign, or if you’re terminated, you’re entitled to receive vacation allowance for the vacation days you’ve earned but not taken.

Vacation allowance is usually calculated as follows:

• Earned vacation days × daily wage × vacation supplement

If you’re terminated during a probationary period, or if your employment ends without you having worked a full vacation year, you’re still entitled to vacation allowance for the time you’ve worked.

Vacation allowance for short-term assignments

For temporary employment, for example in healthcare, retail, or the restaurant industry, the employer often pays out vacation allowance together with your salary. In that case, your payslip should clearly specify the amount of the allowance when it’s paid. It’s usually an additional 12 percent of your salary.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Dlovan Kassab, Samir Baraka