Immigration & Residency

Sweden offers several types of residence permits:

• Work permits: For non-EU/EEA citizens with job offers from Swedish employers

• Family reunification: For those joining family members who are Swedish residents/citizens

• Student permits: For accepted students at Swedish educational institutions

• EU/EEA residence: For EU citizens staying longer than three months (registration required)

• Asylum: For those seeking protection

• Self-employment permits: For entrepreneurs starting businesses in Sweden

• Retirement permits: Limited availability, requires proof of sufficient funds

• Visitor permits: For extended visits beyond the standard 90-day tourist stay

Most permits are initially temporary (1-2 years) and can be renewed. After living in Sweden continuously for 4-5 years (depending on permit type), you may qualify for permanent residency. Applications are processed through the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket).

For more information: These rules are subject to change. Read more on Migrationsverket.se

The personnummer (personal identity number) is the cornerstone of life in Sweden:

What it is: A 10-digit number (format: YYMMDD-XXXX) assigned to Swedish citizens at birth and to immigrants granted residency permits for at least one year.

Why it's crucial:

• Banking: Required for full banking services, loans, and BankID (digital identification)
• Healthcare: Needed to register with the healthcare system and access subsidized care
• Housing: Essential for housing contracts and joining housing queues
• Employment: Required by employers for tax purposes
• Daily life: Needed for phone contracts, gym memberships, loyalty programs, and more
• Government services: Used for all interactions with public agencies

How to get one: Apply at the Swedish Tax Agency. You'll need to visit in person with your passport, residence permit, and proof of address.

Alternatives: If you're staying less than a year, you may be eligible for a coordination number (samordningsnummer), which provides limited functionality.

The pathway to Swedish citizenship typically follows these steps:

1. Residence requirement:

• General rule: 5 years of continuous legal residence with a residence permit
• Nordic citizens: Only 2 years
• Married/in relationship with Swedish citizen: 3 years (must have lived together for 2 years)
• Refugees: 4 years

2. Additional requirements:

• Permanent residence permit (PUT)
• Proven identity (with passport or other identification)
• Good conduct (no serious criminal record)
• Age 18 or older (children can be included in parents' applications)

3. Application process:

• Submit application online or by mail to Migrationsverket
• Pay application fee (1,500 SEK for adults, 175 SEK for children included in parents' application)
• Average processing time: 12-24 months

4. Benefits of citizenship:

• Right to vote in all elections (non-citizens can vote only in local elections)
• Swedish/EU passport with visa-free travel to many countries
• Complete security of residence (cannot be deported)
• Public sector employment opportunities restricted to citizens
• Consular protection abroad

Sweden allows dual citizenship, so you don't need to renounce your original citizenship unless required by your home country.

Family reunification options in Sweden:

Who can sponsor family members:

• Swedish citizens
• Permanent residents
• Temporary residents with at least one year remaining on their permit

Eligible family members:

• Spouse or cohabiting partner (sambo)
• Registered partner (same-sex)
• Children under 18
• Dependent parents (in exceptional circumstances)

Requirements:

• Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc.)
• Sponsor must demonstrate adequate housing for the family
• Sponsor must show sufficient income to support the family
• Health insurance for family members (until they receive personnummer)

Maintenance requirement (as of 2025 Mars):

• To be granted Swedish citizenship, a new income requirement is proposed, which means that you must have an annual income equivalent to three income base amounts, which for 2025 corresponds to a gross salary of around 20,000 SEK per month. Regeringen.se (in Swedish)

Family permits:

• Initially granted for same duration as sponsor's permit
• Can be renewed and lead to permanent residency after 2-5 years
• Allow immediate right to work
• Include access to healthcare, education, and social benefits

Applications must be submitted through the Swedish Migration Agency, ideally from the family member's home country.

Sweden offers comprehensive integration support:

Language programs:

• Swedish for Immigrants (SFI (Folkuniversitetet)): Free language courses for residents with personnummer, offered at multiple levels
• Swedish From Day One: Basic Swedish for asylum seekers waiting for decisions. (e.g. Gotlandsfolkhogskola.se, Angeredfolkhogskola.se)
• Folk High Schools (Folkhögskolor): Offer intensive Swedish courses
• University language courses: More academic Swedish language instruction

Integration programs:

• Establishment Program (Etableringsprogrammet (Arbetsförmedlingen)): Coordinated by the Public Employment Service for refugees and certain family members • Includes 24 months of activities (language, civic orientation, job preparation) • Financial support during participation

• Civic Orientation (Samhällsorientering): 100 hours of education about Swedish society, laws, healthcare, education, and culture

• Validation of foreign qualifications: Through the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) or professional bodies

• Supplementary education: Programs to bridge foreign qualifications to Swedish requirements (especially for doctors, teachers, lawyers, etc.)

Support organizations:

• Municipalities: Offer local integration activities
• Red Cross: Language cafes and mentorship
• Caritas: Guidance services
• Migrant associations: Community support from established immigrants from same countries/regions

Most services are free, though you generally need a residence permit and personnummer to access the full range of programs.

Healthcare access for immigrants in Sweden varies by status:

Residents with personnummer:

• Full access to subsidized healthcare (same as Swedish citizens)
• Pay patient fees of approximately 200-350 SEK per doctor visit with annual cap (högkostnadsskydd) of around 1,150 SEK
• Subsidized prescription medications (annual cap around 2,350 SEK)
• Register with local healthcare center (vårdcentral) as soon as you receive your personnummer

EU/EEA citizens without personnummer:

• Can use European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for necessary care
• For longer stays, should arrange comprehensive health insurance from home country

Non-EU temporary residents without personnummer:

• Require private health insurance for first year
• Students need insurance (either university-provided or private)

Asylum seekers:

• Entitled to emergency care, dental care, maternity care, and care that "cannot wait"
• Subsidized medications for urgent conditions
• Children of asylum seekers receive full healthcare access
• Show LMA card (asylum seeker ID) when seeking care

Undocumented migrants:

• Legally entitled to emergency care, maternity care, abortion care, and contraceptive advice
• Children have right to full healthcare
• Several volunteer clinics provide basic healthcare services (e.g., Doctors of the World)

All immigrants should keep documentation of any pre-existing conditions and vaccination records when moving to Sweden.

Children's integration into Swedish schools:

Registration and placement:

• All children ages 6-16 have the right and obligation to attend school, regardless of immigration status
• Register at local municipality education office with child's ID and any previous school records
• Schools typically place children with peers of same age, even if language skills are limited

Language support:

• Introductory classes (förberedelseklass): Temporary intensive Swedish instruction before full integration into regular classes
• Study guidance (studiehandledning): Support in the child's native language for other subjects
• Swedish as a Second Language (Svenska som andraspråk): Specialized Swedish courses throughout schooling
• Mother tongue instruction: Right to lessons in native language if there are at least five students of that language in the municipality

Cultural integration:

• Swedish schools emphasize inclusion and multiculturalism
• Participation in traditions (like Lucia celebrations) is encouraged but usually not mandatory
• Parent-teacher meetings (with interpreters if needed) occur regularly
• Children quickly adapt through immersion, usually becoming fluent within 1-2 years

Special considerations:

• Free school lunches provided for all children
• Financial assistance available for school supplies and activities
• Psychological support services for refugee children or those with trauma
• International/English schools available in larger cities (though regular Swedish schools are recommended for better integration)

The Swedish school system strongly values equality and individualized support, making it well-equipped to integrate immigrant children.