Work permit in Sweden 2026: requirements, application and processing time

The rules changed in several important respects during 2026, including regarding salary, health insurance and which occupations can be granted a permit.

This guide goes through the requirements, the application process, processing times and what applies to extensions and accompanying family members.

Who needs a work permit in Sweden?

Citizens of countries outside the EU and EEA normally need a work permit to work in Sweden. EU and EEA citizens are covered by free movement and do not need a work permit. Special rules apply, among others, to Swiss citizens and people who already have another basis for working in Sweden.

A standard work permit is based on a specific employment. During the first permit period it is tied to a particular employer and a particular occupation. Anyone who changes employer or occupation may therefore need to submit a new application.

What requirements apply for a Swedish work permit?

For a standard work permit, the applicant must, among other things, have a valid passport and a signed employment contract. The employer must normally have advertised the position for at least ten days so that people in Sweden, the EU and the EEA, as well as Switzerland, have the opportunity to apply. Salary and other terms of employment must be at least in line with Swedish collective agreements or established practice in the occupation or industry. The employer must also arrange the required employment insurances no later than when the work begins.

Since 1 June 2026, the salary must as a main rule amount to at least 90 per cent of Sweden's median salary at the time of application. After the update of the median salary on 16 June 2026, this corresponds to SEK 34,470 per month. The amount may change, and a salary that meets the general threshold must still correspond to the terms for the specific job. There are specific exemptions from the salary requirement for certain occupations and groups.

Occupations that can no longer be granted a standard work permit

Since 1 June 2026, a standard work permit cannot be granted for work as a personal assistant (SSYK 5343) or forest berry picker (within SSYK 9210). However, a person who is to pick berries for an employer established in Sweden may in some cases apply for a permit for seasonal work. Other jobs within the same broad occupational category as forest berry pickers may be covered by other rules; therefore check the actual occupational classification before the application is submitted.

Comprehensive health insurance for stays of up to one year

If the employment and stay in Sweden are to be no more than one year, the applicant must be able to show that they have, or have applied for, comprehensive health insurance. It must apply for the entire stay and cover emergency and other medical care, hospital care, emergency dental care, as well as medical repatriation if needed for health reasons.

This requirement should not be confused with the employer's obligation to arrange health insurance, life insurance, occupational injury insurance and occupational pension insurance for the employment. Check both the content of the insurances and their periods of validity before the application is submitted.

Good conduct and the employer's suitability

Since 13 July 2026, stricter requirements regarding good conduct apply when assessing residence permits, including for work. The Swedish Migration Agency can assess whether the applicant lives lawfully and honestly, for example based on criminality, debts and whether correct information has been provided to authorities. A single minor incident does not normally automatically mean a refusal; the authority makes an assessment of the circumstances.

The employer is also scrutinised. Since 1 June 2026, the Swedish Migration Agency can refuse an application due to deficiencies linked to the employer or its representatives, for example certain crimes, suspicions of crimes or sanctions. An employment contract and a sufficiently high salary are therefore not, on their own, a guarantee of a granted permit.

How to apply for a work permit

1. Check the position and the terms. The employer ensures that the occupation can form the basis for a permit, that the salary and other terms meet the requirements, and that the position is advertised when required.

2. Sign the employment contract. The contract must reflect the actual employment and the terms stated in the application.

3. The employer initiates the application. The employer fills in information about the employment and gives the relevant trade union the opportunity to comment on the terms.

4. The employee completes their part. The applicant receives a link, fills in their details, attaches documents and pays the application fee. The application is registered with the Swedish Migration Agency only when the employee has also submitted their part.

5. The Swedish Migration Agency examines the case. The applicant needs to present their passport and provide a photo and fingerprints according to the instructions given. The authority may request additional information before a decision is made.

For a first-time application, the person must as a main rule apply and obtain their permit before entering Sweden. There are exceptions for certain people who already have a permit or are in a special situation in Sweden. Do not assume that a visit to Sweden gives the right to start working.

What documents are needed?

Prepare a valid passport, a signed employment contract and the information about employment, salary and insurances that the Swedish Migration Agency requests. For a stay of up to one year, documents are also needed showing that the applicant has, or has applied for, comprehensive health insurance. Additional documents may be required depending on the employer and the applicant's situation.

How long does it take to get a work permit?

There is no guaranteed processing time. A complete application can be processed faster, while additional information, passport checks and other investigative measures can prolong the waiting time.

Statistics from the Swedish Migration Agency on recently decided first-time applications show that 75 per cent of complete cases for highly qualified workers were decided within one month. For other employments, the corresponding time was four months. The figures describe previous cases and are not a promise of when an individual application will receive a decision. Therefore do not plan a fixed start date based on the statistics.

Extension of work permits: transitional rules during 2026

An application for an extension must be submitted before the current permit expires. The Swedish Migration Agency checks, among other things, that salary, insurances and other terms of employment have been met during the previous permit period.

There is a time-limited transitional rule for the new salary requirement:

• Anyone who was granted their current work permit before 1 June 2026 and has their extension application registered with the Swedish Migration Agency no later than 1 December 2026 is instead covered by the previous maintenance requirement of 80 per cent of the median salary.

• For extension applications registered from 2 December 2026, the new salary requirement of 90 per cent also applies to this group.

• Anyone who received their current permit under the new rules is not covered by the transitional rule.

It is the registration date of the completed application, not the day the employer started filling in their part, that is decisive. Employers and employees should therefore plan so that both parts can be submitted in time.

Can a foreign company use an Employer of Record?

A foreign company that wants to recruit in Sweden needs to decide early on who will actually be the employer and stand behind the employment and the application. An Employer of Record (EOR) can, in some arrangements, employ the person in Sweden and handle employer responsibilities while the client company leads the day-to-day work.

However, an EOR is not a guarantee of a work permit and does not replace the Swedish Migration Agency's individual assessment. The position, the real employer relationship, the salary, the insurances, the applicant's circumstances and any circumstances relating to the employer must still meet the requirements. Companies considering that model should review the arrangement before giving the candidate a start date. Read more about BTR EOR services in Sweden.

Important for accompanying family members: new rules on 1 October 2026

Is the employee planning to bring their family, or will the family extend their permits? Check the rules again before applying. From 1 October 2026, the conditions for family members of people with work permits will change. The maintenance requirement will then be assessed also when extending the family's permits, not only for the first application. Which income can be counted depends on the situation; for example, a family member's income may be taken into account on extension, while certain benefits are not counted. The requirement is also affected by the size of the family and housing costs.

Can a work permit lead to permanent residence?

Anyone who has had a work permit and worked in Sweden for at least four of the last seven years can apply for permanent residence in connection with an extension. Four years does not automatically give permanent residence: the applicant must also meet the other requirements, including being able to support themselves on a long-term basis and meeting the good conduct requirement. If the requirements for permanent residence are not met, the Swedish Migration Agency may still assess whether an extended work permit can be granted.

Plan the application based on the actual requirements

A successful recruitment requires more than submitting a form. Check occupational classification, advertising, salary, terms of employment, insurances and employer structure before the application is initiated. For extensions, it is particularly important to check which salary requirement applies and that the entire application is registered before the correct date.

Does your company need help assessing the employer arrangement or preparing an international recruitment? Contact BTR Group to discuss the circumstances in the individual case.

The article provides general information based on rules and authority information available on 29 September 2026. Requirements and amounts may change, and the Swedish Migration Agency assesses each application individually.

Written by Elise Bredenberg
Marketing Manager at BTR Group

Fact-checked by Erik Doxner
Customer Success Manager & HR Specialist at BTR Group