On 22nd February 1937, the Swedish government proposed a new law to prevent its citizens from becoming involved in the Spanish Civil War. It was approved by both Swedish houses on 5th March 1937.

However, some Swedes did take part in the fighting. Most of these joined International Brigades. When Juan Negrin announced that all foreign volunteers fighting with the Republican Army on 25th September 1938, would be unilaterally withdrawn, there were 150 Swedes in Spain.

It has been calculated that 507 people from Sweden fought in the Spanish Civil War. Of these 142 were killed in action, two died of typhus and one died in a prisoner of war camp.