Nordic countries have different approaches to Ukrainian refugees

The European response to the high influx of displaced persons was more unified in 2022 than in 2015. However, there are still significant national differences in the Nordic countries regarding the rights and restrictions for displaced persons from Ukraine.

A policy brief by Vilde Hernes and Åsne Danielsen at the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) at OsloMet compares policy changes related to the influx of displaced persons from Ukraine in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, and discusses Nordic similarities and differences.

Swedish shift

Sweden’s approach towards displaced persons from Ukraine has substantiated the shift from having one of the most liberal immigration and integration policies in Europe to having one of the most restrictive regulations.

Unlike others who are granted protection in Sweden, this group does not transition to receive the same financial and integration rights as other protection holders and has limited access to healthcare.

Norway and Denmark have taken a similar approach in their reception of displaced persons from Ukraine. Both countries introduced more flexible options for this group to find their own accommodation.

Otherwise, contrary to many other European countries, their approach has been to provide displaced persons from Ukraine with the same rights as other protection holders, such as financial assistance and integration measures.

However, after Norway experienced a relatively high increase in arrivals from Ukraine during the fall of 2023, the Norwegian government proposed several new restrictions to ensure that Norway did not have more favorable policies than other countries.

Finland in the middle

Finland has taken a middle road.

Displaced persons from Ukraine have some restricted rights during the first year of residence – although not to the same degree as in Sweden. After one year of residence, they can be registered in a municipality, which means they receive the same rights to social welfare and other services as all permanent residents.

With little prospect of a rapid end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, European countries will soon have to decide on what to do when the collective protection permits expire. The temporary permit had a three-year limit and will expire in 2025.

Find the policy brief here

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