Visas & permits
Work permits, EU rights, sambo visas — which door is yours, and how long the corridor really is.
Every move to Sweden starts at the same desk: Migrationsverket, the Swedish Migration Agency. Which door you walk through depends on your passport and your reason for coming.
The main routes
EU/EEA citizens have right of residence — no permit needed, just registration once you're working or studying. Work permit applicants need a job offer that meets the salary threshold — 33,390 SEK/month from 1 June 2026 (90% of the median wage; 75% for occupations on the official exemption list, and extensions applied for before 1 December 2026 keep the earlier 29,680 SEK level) — backed by an employer who advertised the role in the EU first. Students apply with their admission letter and proof of funds. Family ties — the sambo route — cover partners of people already living in Sweden.
What to expect
Processing times are the honest pain point: anywhere from weeks to over a year depending on the route and the season. Apply before you give notice on your current life, keep your documents in order, and never book the moving van before the decision lands.
Common questions
Can I enter Sweden while my permit is being processed?
For most first-time permits, no — you apply from abroad and wait for the decision before entering. EU/EEA citizens are the main exception.
Does my partner get to work too?
Family members granted permits on your application generally receive full work rights in Sweden.
What happens if I change jobs?
Within the first years of a work permit, a new job usually means a new application tied to the new employer. Plan switches carefully.
Sources & further reading