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Afraid of being forced to get married

Rädd för att bli tvingad att gifta sig - engelska

Only you can decide whether or not you get married. No one is allowed to force, persuade or trick you into getting married. It is illegal. Ask for help if you are worried that this could happen to you. Call 112 if you need protection and help immediately.

En person ser ledsen och funderande ut.
You can get help to avoid going abroad if you are worried about being married off in another country.

Read the text in Swedish, Arabic and Somali.

Who can I ask for help?

Here are suggestions for how to get help:

Contact a support organisation that helps young people at risk of being married off, such as Linnamottagningen (offers support in several languages). There are several places you can contact without giving your name. You can find help here: support and help (link to a website in Swedish).

Talk to an adult you trust. For example, someone who works at your school or at a youth clinic (ungdomsmottagning).

Call the police on 112 if it is an emergency. For example, if you are being hit, beaten, locked up, threatened or forced to travel abroad.

Call the police on 114 14 if it is not urgent.

Call the police in Sweden on +46 77 114 14 00 if you are abroad or calling from a phone with a foreign number.

Call your municipality and ask to speak to social services. You will find telephone numbers for all municipalities here: Contact information for Sweden's municipalities and regions, SKR (link to a website in Swedish).

It is illegal to force someone to get married

This applies in Sweden:

  • You must be over 18 years of age to get married.
  • Both people must want to get married.
  • Both people must be present at the wedding and say yes.
  • Marriage between cousins or other close relatives is not allowed.

No one is allowed to persuade, trick or force someone to get married. It is a crime. Anyone who does this can go to prison. It does not matter if it is a parent or other relative.

Are you afraid of being married off in another country?

Contact the police or social services if you are worried about being married off during a trip abroad. They can help you so that you do not need to leave Sweden. They can also help you move out of home if necessary. You can get help to get a safe place to live if you are in danger at home.

Person looking worried.
You can get help to get a safe place to live if you are in danger at home.

If you must travel abroad

It is difficult for Swedish authorities to help you if you are in another country. Especially if you are in a country outside the EU. If you have no choice and must travel, do this before you go.

  • Gather important information

    Write down important telephone numbers. This can be the telephone numbers of people in Sweden and in the country you are travelling to. Write down contact details for people who you think could help you in the country you are travelling to.

    Take a mobile phone with you.

  • Tell someone you trust

    Talk to someone you trust before you leave. This could be a friend or an adult at your school, for example. You can give the person a copy of your passport. You can also tell them the latest date when they should hear from you. If you don't contact them, they can call the police.

  • Find out what applies in the country you are going to

    Find out what laws apply to marriage in the country you are travelling to. It is also a good idea to find out what help you can get when you are there.

Help if you are outside Sweden

Contact the Swedish embassy in the country where you are. Here are some examples of what they can do:

Give you advice and support.

  • Help you contact people or authorities such as social services in Sweden.
  • Help you find a lawyer or doctor.
  • Investigate what can be done so that you can return to Sweden.
  • Here you will find contact details for all of Sweden's embassies and consulates in other countries (link to a website in Swedish).

You can also call the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Utrikesdepartementet, UD) in Sweden. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has a 24-hour helpline called UD-jouren. Telephone number: +46 (0)8 405 50 05.

You may need support and help afterwards

You may need support if you have been forced to get married or remain abroad.

You can get help:

  • At a youth clinic or support service if you are not feeling good.
  • From social services if you cannot keep living at home.

From the police if you are in danger.

Last update:
2026-03-16
Editor:
Åsa Sandler
Reviewer:
Sandra Sarin Kac, Analyst, Swedish Gender Equality Agency (Jämställdsmyndigheten)
Illustrator:
Cecilia Birgerson Nordling
Photographer:
Lina Söderström

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