Friday, October 24 | 2025
It is, according to Swedish law, illegal to discriminate a person due to that person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Relationships between same sex couples are widely accepted and same sex couples have a legal right to get married and adopt children. The legal age of consent for all sexual activity is 15 years.
Quick guide to LGBT Rights in Sweden in Sweden (updated for 2025).
A change of law in 2009 made it possible for same sex couples to get married in Sweden. The present marriage law is gender-neutral, which means that the marriage rights and obligations apply to all married couples. This implies that married same sex couples have a right to joint parenthood, adoption and medically assisted insemination. The Swedish law is also equal to all couples that are not married but live together – so called “sambos“.
Same sex couples have the same right as heterosexual couples to apply for residence permit based on family ties. Applicants are generally required to apply for a residence permit from their native country. People who have been persecuted in their native countries due to their homosexuality may be granted asylum in Sweden. Read more on asylum and residence permit here.
RFSL—The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights is a non-profit organization that works with and for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT). RFSL has counselling centres for both women and men in Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö. The counseling is for people who need to talk about coming out, sex, STI’s and relationships.
RFSL also offers assistance in the contact with authorities and healthcare institutions. It is also possible to get legal assistance with, for example, asylum and wills. Visit RFSL website to learn more.
The Ombudsman Against Discrimination (DO) is the government authority that works against homophobia and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Usually you must wait until the work permit is approved unless your current status allows work—see Migrationsverket.
After holding certain permits for a qualifying period and meeting maintenance/conduct requirements.
Yes—normally each family member applies for their own permit.
Regions set patient fees. A national högkostnadsskydd caps your outpatient costs over a 12‑month period. After reaching the cap, further visits are free for the remainder of that period.
Need more on LGBT Rights in Sweden? See the resources below.
REKO-rings: Sweden’s Best-Kept Secret for Fresh Local Produce
Don’t make these 5 mistakes when parking your car in Sweden
Work Permit in Sweden – What You Need to Know
Why being a good driver is not enough to get a Swedish driver’s license
How to prepare your car for the Swedish winter
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