A Swedish residence permit allows an immigrant to reside in the country for the period of time allotted by the authorities, to use banking services, to receive medical care, and to apply for social benefits. With a temporary resident card, you can go on a short trip (up to 90 days) to one of the EU and Schengen states. To obtain the status, it is necessary to provide proof of the basis for long-term residence, pay the mandatory fees and fulfill other conditions of the law “On Foreigners”.

Immigrants who are EU passport holders can move to Sweden without a residence permit. Under the accelerated program, citizenship of the European Union is acquired in about a year. To find out the details of this method of immigration to Sweden contact a specialist of the Relocation Compass company.

Relevance of a Swedish residence permit

Residence permit of the Kingdom of Sweden is in demand among immigrants for the reason that the state is a member of the European Union. Having obtained the status of a resident, you can travel around the EU countries without a visa. The residence permit card gives the right to live in one of the most secure and politically stable countries in the world. Other advantages of obtaining the status of a Swedish resident:

• improved financial situation (average salary in 2024 is about 3,100 EUR per month);
• receiving free medical care in Swedish clinics (on the basis of an insurance policy);
• the opportunity for children to study in local schools (no tuition fees are charged);
• the right to participate in international student exchange programs;
• opening bank accounts in Swedish financial institutions;
• the opportunity to run a profitable business;
• the right for further legalization and obtaining a Swedish passport.

Swedish temporary resident status also confers certain rights in other EU countries, such as:

• employment with European companies without requesting a work permit;
• access to EU clinics under a unified insurance policy;
• receiving benefits for tuition fees in EU universities.

Types of residence permit in Sweden

Swedish residence permit is a document confirming the right of a foreigner to legally reside in the country. The current legislation of the kingdom enshrines two types of residency:

1. Temporary.
   Issued for a limited period of time – mainly for a year. The residence permit can be extended if the applicant confirms that he or she needs to reside in the country for a longer period of time.
2. Permanent.
   A residence card can be obtained by persons who have lived in Sweden with a residence permit for the period allotted by law. The term of validity of the Permanent Residency Card is not limited, but the document itself needs to be renewed every 5 years.

The document confirming Swedish residency is made of plastic and looks like an ordinary bank card. It contains the personal data of the owner, the period of validity of the residence permit. Some types of cards have the text “Can work” (“Far arbeiter”) on the back.

Legal grounds for applying for a residence permit in Sweden

The Aliens Act (2005:716) regulates the rules for staying and applying for a residence permit in Sweden. As a tourist you can stay in the kingdom no longer than 3 months (on the basis of a visa or visa-free regime). To obtain the right to a longer stay, a residence permit is required. Details of the grounds for requesting a residence card are described in the following sections.

Work

To obtain a Swedish residence permit one can come to the kingdom as an employee of a local company. To obtain residency, the applicant will need to:

• sign an employment contract with a Swedish employer;
• confirm that the expected monthly salary will be at least 80% of the average salary in the country (in 2024 – 2 474 EUR).

Another mandatory condition is that once the contract has been concluded, the employer must take out the required insurance (medical, life, security and occupational pension insurance) for the employee.

There are other options for obtaining a Swedish residence permit on the basis of employment for:

• Seasonal workers.
  An immigrant is expected to come to the country at a certain time of the year for a period not exceeding 12 months. A seasonal worker may be employed, for example, in agriculture or forestry, hotel or restaurant business, or horticulture. Residency status is granted for the duration of the employment contract, but for no longer than 6 months per year.
• Workers of culture, science and technology.
  Musicians, singers, circus performers, actors, directors, various technical specialists can get a residence permit. Applicants are required to have a signed employment contract with a Swedish organization. The residence permit card is issued for the duration of the contract.
• Domestic helpers (Au Pair program).
  A foreigner between the ages of 18 and 30 who stays to do housework and childcare for a Swedish family can get a residence permit. It must be stated in the contract that the immigrant performs not more than 40 hours per week. This type of residence permit card is not renewable.
• Researches.
  The applicant must have a signed employment contract with an organization (e.g., university) approved by the Swedish Research Council. It is also required to prove a monthly income (from 842 EUR) to cover living expenses and return home. The residence permit card is issued for the duration of the employment contract.
• Athletes and coaches.
  It is required to provide confirmation from the Swedish National Sports Confederation that the immigrant’s employment is important for the development of the country. It is necessary that the applicant has signed a contract with one of the clubs in the kingdom (soccer, basketball or other), and his monthly salary before taxes is from 1 242 EUR. The residence permit card is issued for the duration of the employment contract, but for a maximum of 2 years at a time.
• Interns.
  A foreigner may come to Sweden to do an internship at a place of work, as part of an international program such as SACCUSA, AIESEC or as part of a higher education program. Students will need to prove that they have completed their studies within the two years prior to applying. The total length of stay in Sweden as an intern cannot exceed 18 months.
• Volunteers.
  Immigrants should enter into a contract with a Swedish organization that is approved by the European Volunteer Service. The residence permit is granted for a period of up to one year, but not longer than the validity of the passport.
• Highly qualified specialists.
  Applicants must prove that they have completed 5 years of higher education (minimum 180 credits) or have worked in their specialty for a similar period. It is also required that the expected monthly salary is 1.5 times the average salary in Sweden and is from 4,638 EUR. The first EU Blue Card is issued for the duration of the employment contract, but not less than one year and not more than 24 months.
• Intracorporate transferred workers.
  It is required that the immigrant has worked in a foreign company (registered outside the EU) for at least 3 months, has relevant education and/or experience. The residence permit card is issued for the duration of the intracorporate transfer.

In Sweden, temporary residence for up to a year can be obtained by citizens of Australia, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada and New Zealand who come to the country for vacation purposes. Applicants from 18 to 30 years old whose monthly income is from 1 303 EUR are eligible to apply. During their stay, immigrants can take up seasonal employment.

Self-employment

Foreigners can apply for a residence permit in Sweden in connection with the establishment of a business only after one year of residence in the country on other grounds, for example, because of education, employment. To apply for temporary residence, you will need to:

• proof of work experience in the relevant field and/or business;
• demonstrate knowledge of English or Swedish at a level sufficient for everyday communication;
• prepare a business plan;
• prove sole ownership and management of the company;
• prove sufficient funds to stay in the country for 2 years (17 370 EUR for the entrepreneur, 8 685 EUR for the accompanying partner and 4 342 EUR for each child);
• prove the presence of business partners and clients.

A Swedish Temporary Resident Card is issued to an entrepreneur for up to 2 years and can be extended if he/she continues to operate in the kingdom.

Job search

Swedish residence permit on the basis of job search can be issued to persons who have received higher education. It is necessary for the applicant to have a master’s degree or PhD. During the application process, it is required to attach a power of attorney, which authorizes the Swedish Council of Universities and Education to contact foreign universities to verify the submitted diplomas. The applicant needs to have a monthly income of at least 1,129 EUR to cover expenses while looking for a job. A residence permit card of this type is issued for a maximum of 9 months.

Education

Foreigners who come to Sweden to study at one of the country’s universities have the right to apply for a residence permit. Temporary resident status is granted for the period of study, but once for no longer than one year and can be extended until graduation. Other types of residence permit available on the basis of education in Sweden:

• starting/completing studies as part of an international program (mobility);
• receiving secondary education and/or attending courses.

In order to apply for Swedish residency, you will need to attach a document to your basic dossier that confirms enrollment in a course of study.

Family reunification

The spouse, registered partner, fiancée and/or cohabitant of the inviting person may apply for a Swedish residence permit if the following conditions are met:

• both partners are at least 21 years old at the time of the application (in exceptional cases, e.g., if there are children, they may be younger);
• the inviting person is a citizen, permanent/temporary resident of Sweden or has refugee status.

Other family members may also apply for a residence permit, namely:

• minor children (including adopted children);
• children over 18 years of age;
• parents.

Swedish residence permit card on the basis of family reunification is issued for 2 years and is subject to permanent extension. The status cannot be obtained by the immigrant for a period exceeding the period of validity of the residence permit of the inviting person. The basic dossier is accompanied by documents proving kinship with a Swedish citizen/resident, e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate.

Receiving protection (asylum)

Foreigners who come to Sweden to seek protection (asylum) are granted a residence permit for 3 years. Persons who cannot stay in their state of citizenship/permanent residence because of persecution related to:

• political position;
• sexual orientation;
• religion;
• nationality and race;
• belonging to a particular social group.

In Sweden, it is also possible to obtain alternative protection, on the basis of which a residence permit card is issued for 13 months. Persons who are in danger due to:

• a death sentence imposed;
• torture, corporal or other degrading punishment;
• armed conflict.

Visit

A foreigner may obtain a residence permit in Sweden in connection with a visit if:

• the purpose of his/her stay is a short-term visit;
• he/she intends to return to his/her country of citizenship/permanent residence.

The period for which the residence permit card is issued depends on the purpose of the visit is specified in the table below.

Temporary resident status granted on the basis of a visit does not entitle you to employment and/or business activities. In order to obtain a residence card, documents proving the purpose of the visit, e.g., a certificate from a Swedish clinic confirming the need for medical treatment, must be attached to the basic dossier.

EU passport holders

EU citizens are exempt from the need to apply for a residence permit in Sweden if they have sufficient funds to live in the Kingdom, study, work and/or do business in the country. The same right applies to passport holders of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Finland). EU citizens for long-term residence in the Kingdom (longer than 3 months) only need to register and obtain a local social security number. The service is provided by the Swedish Tax Administration.

How to choose an option for easy and fast legalization

A foreigner wishing to move to Sweden should choose the appropriate type of residence permit card depending on his or her personal situation. For example, the criteria for selection may be the desire to work, the presence of family ties in the kingdom, the EU passport, the impossibility of living in the country of citizenship due to the threat to life. Also, when choosing the basis for legalization should take into account how much a residence permit costs and the term of its registration – more details in the table.

Based on the table we can conclude that it is faster and more profitable to legalize in Sweden by obtaining citizenship of another EU country. The conditions of obtaining an EU passport in one year without a need to pay consular fees can be described by a specialist of the Relocation Compass company.

Requirements for the applicant for a Swedish residence permit

In order to apply for a residence permit in Sweden, the applicant must have documentary proof of the purpose of his/her long-term residence in the country. It is also necessary to prove the financial ability to support oneself during the stay. Another prerequisite – the presence of a passport, which expires not earlier than 3 months before the proposed date of departure from Sweden.

Some categories of foreigners will need to take out an insurance policy. The policy will be necessary for those who during long-term residence is not registered in the state, and accordingly – is not entitled to receive various social benefits from the authorities.

Documents required to obtain a residence permit

To apply for a residence permit in Sweden, you need to prepare a package of documents according to the current requirements of the authorities at the time of application, which includes:

• Travel passport.
  It is necessary to provide high-quality copies of the pages of the document, which contain the following information: personal data of the owner (name, surname, photo, signature), validity period and country of issue of the passport, entry and exit stamps, visas.
• Proof of finances.
  You can attach a bank statement, a certificate from your place of work, salary certificate, pension fund or other document that proves that you can cover the costs of your stay in Sweden.
• Insurance (if applicable).
  It is required to provide a policy that is valid in all Schengen countries (the amount of coverage – from 30 000 EUR), European or British health insurance card.
• Proof of the basis of the residence permit request.
  For example, it is necessary to attach a labor contract, certificate of enrollment in a higher education institution.
• Documents of guarantor (if applicable).
  It is necessary to attach an ID card, power of attorney, and form 254011, which confirms that the sponsor will cover the costs of the stay in Sweden.

Algorithm of applying for a residence permit in Sweden

It is necessary to apply for a residence permit in Sweden before entering the country. The algorithm of registration of temporary residence is as follows:

1. Submitting an application.
   The application should be sent online through the official website of the Swedish Migration Agency. If it is not possible to submit the application electronically, it is necessary to apply to a foreign embassy or consulate of the kingdom. The applicant needs to scan the documents and attach them to the application.
2. Payment of the fee and sending the petition.
   After completing the application form and submitting scanned copies of documents, the mandatory application fee must be paid. The exact amount depends on the basis of the residence permit request and can range from 130 EUR (for students) to 191 EUR (for labor immigrants). The payment must be made by Visa or MasterCard bank card.
3. Interview.
   After the application has been processed, the Swedish Migration Agency staff will need to check the immigrant’s passport. For this purpose, an interview is scheduled at the embassy or consulate of the kingdom in the country of citizenship/residence of the applicant. If the employees of the state agency have previously checked the document (for example, during the applicant’s previous visit to Sweden), this stage is not mandatory.
4. Waiting for a decision.
   The exact time period for processing residence permit applications is not set by Swedish migration legislation. On average, applications are processed within 90 days. However, a decision on a residence permit application for the purpose of family reunification may be considered for up to 19 months.
5. Obtaining a temporary resident card.
   The document is delivered to the Swedish embassy/consulate abroad about 4 weeks after a second visit to the public body for photographing and fingerprinting. Persons who have access to a visa-free border crossing can enter the kingdom and obtain a residence card on its territory. Such applicants at the border control point present a copy of the decision to issue a residence permit. Upon arrival, it is necessary to make an appointment with the Swedish Migration Agency for fingerprinting and photographing. The finished card is sent by post to the address of residence in the kingdom.

Refusal or loss of Swedish residency status

A foreigner who provides untruthful information about himself or herself, forged documents, or threatens Swedish national security will be denied a residence permit. Revocation of resident status occurs if the applicant no longer meets the conditions for its acquisition, for example, completed training. You can lose your residence permit card for violation of Swedish law, participation in terrorist activities, espionage, as well as for other reasons. In order to obtain and then retain residency status, it is required to provide reliable data about yourself and documents.

Extension of residence permit and obtaining a permanent residence

To extend your residence permit, you must submit an online application to the Swedish Migration Agency a maximum of 4 months before the expiration date of your current residence card. You will need to prove again that you meet the conditions of the residence permit (submit documents such as an employment contract).

The status of permanent resident of Sweden can be requested after 5 years of residence with a residence permit. In addition, you will need to prove that you are financially able to support yourself. In order for the period of residence to be counted, it is necessary to stay in Sweden continuously. It is allowed to travel abroad for a period not exceeding six months at a time. In total, you can stay outside Sweden for a maximum of 10 months in a 5-year period. The cost of issuing a permanent resident card is about 130 EUR.

A permanent residence permit, unlike a residence permit, is issued indefinitely. Permanent residents of Sweden are granted more rights, such as the ability to do business in the single market of the EU, employment in companies registered in other EU countries without a work permit.

Assistance in applying for Swedish residence permit

For long-term (more than 3 months) residence in Sweden you should apply for a residence permit, which requires regular renewal. To become a passport holder of the kingdom you need to stay legally on its territory for at least 5 years. For legalization EU citizens should live in Sweden for a similar period, but they are exempt from the requirement to obtain a residence permit.

It is possible to obtain an EU passport in a year by participating in one of the simplified programs. The conditions, pros and cons of accelerated procedures, requirements to applicants are clarified by RelocationCompass specialists – please fill out the contact form to find out all the details.

According to feedback from clients who have successfully immigrated to Sweden after obtaining an EU passport, it is easier to go through the legalization procedure accompanied by lawyers. Relocation Compass specialists develop an individual strategy for each applicant, take responsibility for bureaucratic issues (creating a dossier, making an appointment with an authorized state body, etc.), and also provide comprehensive assistance in relocation.