NGOs were established in Sweden to help refugees from Nazi Germany. The government, dominated by Social Democrats, pursued a restrictive refugee policy and refugees were dependent on NGOs for support. The Labour Movement Refugee Relief, founded by the Social Democrats and the Trade Unions, used insider tactics and had strong expert and logistical authority. The Communist Red Aid pursued outsider tactics and relentlessly criticised the government. The Subscription for Exiled Intellectuals was an independent organisation that was critical of the official policy and yet had government ties. Important conclusions are that NGOs contributed to shape legislation and succeeded in securing state subsidies from 1939, but were unable to stop the increased restrictiveness from 1938 caused by the international refugee crisis. From 1943 onwards, many more refugees arrived and the state took financial responsibility. NGOs lost their crucial role. In general, the NGOs show very different characteristics due to their specific preconditions.