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Requires a job offer; employer applies and must demonstrate the position could not be filled within the EU/EEA first (labor market test). High salary expectations — median gross income is around SEK 38,000/month (~$3,600 USD).
For freelancers and entrepreneurs; requires proven expertise, secured clients, and a viable business plan. Must show ability to support yourself financially (minimum ~SEK 200,000/year in revenue).
Granted to spouses and children of Swedish residents or citizens. Sponsor must generally meet income and housing requirements; work is permitted immediately upon arrival.
For non-EU nationals with a university degree and a job offer at least 1.5x the average Swedish salary (~SEK 49,875/month). After 18 months, holder may transfer to another EU member state.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens have the right to live and work freely. Register with local authorities within 3 months of arrival.
Sweden is an EU/Schengen member, so EU/EEA citizens can live and work without any visa. Non-EU expats must apply for a residence permit before arriving, which is handled by the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). Sweden has one of the most comprehensive and transparent immigration systems, though processing times can be lengthy (3-12 months for complex cases).
Non-EU workers in Sweden need a work permit, which requires a job offer meeting conditions at least as good as Swedish collective agreement standards. There is no formal points-based system; the offer itself is the key qualifying criterion. Employers file the permit application, and Sweden is known for having an open labor migration policy relative to other EU countries.
Spouses, registered partners, and children under 21 of Swedish residence permit holders or citizens can apply for family reunification permits. The primary requirement is that the sponsor can support the family financially, with varying income requirements based on family size.
Sweden taxes residents on worldwide income, with combined municipal and national income tax rates that can reach 52% for higher earners. Sweden is a high-tax welfare state, and the social benefits in return are extensive. Sweden has approximately 90 tax treaties and provides generous deductions and welfare benefits to legal residents who contribute.
Sweden has an excellent, largely publicly funded healthcare system (landsting/region) accessible to all legal residents. Healthcare quality is very high. Waiting times in the public system can be significant, so private supplemental insurance is popular among working expats for faster specialist access.
Opening a bank account in Sweden typically requires a Swedish personnummer (personal identification number), which is obtained after registering with the Tax Agency (Skatteverket). Without a personnummer, banking is difficult. Major banks include Handelsbanken, Swedbank, SEB, and Nordea. Digital banks like Revolut can bridge the gap initially.
Sweden does not have a dedicated investor visa or golden visa program. Wealthy individuals may establish a company in Sweden and apply for a self-employment residence permit, demonstrating that the business is profitable and supports the applicant. Sweden abolished its investment-based residency program in the mid-2010s.