Work Permit in Sweden

From application to decision

Work Permit Requirements

A foreign national who is not an EU/EEA citizen, does not have permanent residence, or right of residence in Sweden, typically needs to apply for and be granted a work permit before performing any work in Sweden. (There are some exceptions; contact AdamLaw to find out if YOU are an exception or must follow the general rule.) Working even a single day without the right to do so in Sweden can lead to severe consequences from the Swedish Migration Agency, such as deportation and, in extreme cases, a re-entry ban to the entire Schengen area for up to 5 years! 

Employment Contract

Previously, only a job offer was required to form the basis of a work permit application. Now, a signed employment contract between you and the Swedish employer you intend to work for is required.

The employment contract is the primary evidence that your employment meets the necessary requirements. Since Sweden lacks strict formal requirements for employment contracts, you should always have a migration and labor law attorney review the contract to ensure it complies with the legal requirements of the Employment Protection Act (LAS).salary. and contains the information the Swedish Migration Agency expects. A critical factor is ensuring you receive the correct salary.

Salary

The single most important formal aspect of the contract is your salary. To be granted a work permit, your salary must be at least 80% of the Swedish median salary. As of July 6, 2025, when this article was written, this means you need to earn at least 29,680 SEK per month before taxes. Your salary and other employment conditions must also align with Swedish collective agreements or industry standards.

Insurance Coverage

Your employer must have arranged comprehensive insurance coverage for you from the first day you start working in Sweden. These insurances, with few exceptions, include occupational pension insurance, health insurance, life insurance, and accident insurance. If you're unsure which insurance provider meets the Swedish Migration Agency's requirements, we always recommend Fora, as they have extensive experience insuring work permit holders.

Permit Periods

A work permit is granted for a period of two years (or shorter if your passport's validity is less than two years at the time of the decision) and ties you to the specific employer and occupation during this period. Changing employers requires a new application.
After your first work permit extension, you are granted an additional two-year period during which you are tied to the occupation but not the employer. If, by the end of this period, you have complied with all requirements, maintained your permits, and still hold full-time employment, you may be eligible for permanent residence in Sweden.

Why Choose AdamLaw?

At AdamLaw, we often say that anyone CAN submit a work permit application in Sweden, but it's better to focus on what you're good at—being an entrepreneur or professional—while we do what we're good at: securing your residence permit, identifying and resolving any issues, and guiding you toward permanent residence and Swedish citizenship as quickly as possible!

We begin by reviewing you as an applicant to ensure you meet the personal requirements. Then, we examine the employment contract, the company's financial standing, and other relevant circumstances. If we identify any shortcomings, we ensure they are addressed before your application is submitted.

Let us be your insurance against unfavorable decisions. Hire AdamLaw, Sweden's best immigration lawyer, today!

Fill out the form below, and our immigration lawyer will contact you shortly, or book an initial meeting with our immigration lawyer in Stockholm, Adam M. Lindström - Master of Laws (LL.M.).