What is the Sweden Work Permit?
Sweden's standard work permit (arbetstillstånd), administered by the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket), lets non-EU/EEA nationals with a job offer work in Sweden. A major reform took effect on 1 June 2026: the salary must be at least 90% of the Swedish median (SEK 34,470/month as of mid-2026), replacing the previous 80% "good livelihood" standard, and must also match Swedish collective agreements.
A list of 27 shortage professions — including assistant nurses, IT operations staff and welders — qualifies for a reduced 75% threshold (~SEK 28,725). From June 2026, employers must provide comprehensive health insurance for stays of one year or less, and employers with serious criminal convictions can have applications refused outright.
You can apply for permanent residence in Sweden after holding a valid work permit and living and working in the country for 48 months (4 years) within a seven-year period.
If you are a highly qualified professional and may want to work elsewhere in Europe, the EU Blue Card (SEK 53,625/month) adds EU-wide mobility.
Note: Information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
You must meet two requirements to be eligible for a work permit. The salary rule changed on 1 June 2026 and is assessed at the point of decision, not the date of application.
A job offer from a Swedish employer at a gross monthly salary of at least 90% of the Swedish median (SEK 34,470 as of mid-2026), or 75% (~SEK 28,725) if your occupation is one of the 27 designated shortage professions. Pay and terms must also match the relevant Swedish collective agreement, and the offer must include employer-provided insurance.
From 1 June 2026, if your planned stay is one year or less, you must show that you have — or have applied for — a comprehensive health insurance policy, taken out by your employer.
The 2026 salary requirements
Sweden's salary rule changed on 1 June 2026 to 90% of the median salary, assessed at the point of decision. The median is published by Statistics Sweden (SCB); as of mid-2026, it is SEK 38,300, giving a threshold of SEK 34,470/month. The salary must also match the relevant collective agreement.
27 shortage professions (published 22 May 2026) qualify for a reduced 75% threshold (~SEK 28,725): assistant nurses, IT operations staff, systems administrators, network technicians, welders and more. The EU Blue Card sits above this at SEK 53,625/month and adds EU mobility. Assessed at decision: the threshold applies when Migrationsverket decides, so build a margin above it into the offer. Tax note: Sweden's income tax is progressive (municipal ~29–35% plus state tax above a threshold).
What you need to apply
The employer starts the application by creating an offer of employment in the Migrationsverket system. You then complete your part online.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
Processing times vary significantly by occupation and completeness. Certified employers (part of Migrationsverket's fast-track model) receive quicker decisions — check the current estimate for your occupation before applying.
Most common delay: salary falling below the threshold at the point of decision. Because the 90%-of-median rule is assessed when the decision is made — not when you apply — a salary that met the old standard may fall short if the median rises during processing. Build a margin into the offer.
The employer creates the offer in the Migrationsverket system, specifying salary (meeting the threshold), terms and insurance.
Handled by: your employer
You complete your part online, attach the passport copy and health-insurance proof (for stays ≤ 1 year), pay the fee (SEK 2,000), and provide biometrics at a Swedish mission or VFS Global centre.
Handled by: you
Migrationsverket reviews against the salary threshold, collective-agreement terms, insurance and employer standing. Certified-employer applications are faster; the salary is assessed at the point of decision.
Handled by: Migrationsverket
If granted for more than 3 months you receive a residence permit card. Travel to Sweden; if granted for at least one year, register in the Swedish population register for healthcare and services.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
Three main things. First, the salary threshold rose to 90% of the Swedish median (SEK 34,470/month), replacing the older 80% "good livelihood" standard. Second, employers must now provide comprehensive health insurance for stays of one year or less. Third, employers with serious criminal convictions (labour exploitation, trafficking, tax evasion) can have applications refused outright.
The government published 27 shortage professions on 22 May 2026 that qualify for a reduced threshold of 75% of the median (~SEK 28,725) instead of 90%. These include assistant nurses, IT operations staff, systems administrators, network technicians and welders. If your occupation is on the list, you can qualify at the lower salary — confirm the current list, as it is periodically updated.
The EU Blue Card has a higher salary threshold (SEK 53,625/month) and requires higher qualifications, but it adds EU-wide mobility — the right to move to another EU country. The standard work permit is tied to Sweden. If your salary is high enough and you want EU mobility, the Blue Card is the stronger option.
Yes. Your spouse or partner and dependent children can apply for residence permits to join you. Family members with permits can live in Sweden; spouses can work, and children can attend school.
You can apply for permanent residence after holding a work permit for 4 of the last 7 years, subject to maintaining the salary and employment requirements and (following recent reforms) other conditions. Transitional rules apply to those who held permits before 1 June 2026 — check your situation with Migrationsverket.
The work permit application fee is SEK 2,000. The employer bears the cost of the required insurance policies. Your personal costs are biometrics/service fees and document preparation.
You cannot apply for a Swedish work permit without a job offer from a Swedish employer. Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Sweden. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level to find roles that match your criteria.
Find visa-sponsored jobs in Sweden
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from an employer who sponsors international workers. IT and engineering roles typically sit well above Sweden's 90%-of-median threshold; if your field is on the shortage list, the lower 75% threshold applies. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level.
Planning a move? See the Sweden destination guide.