Self Employment ‑ Residence permit (Egen företagare)

From Business Idea to Approved Permit

The residence permit as a self employed person is the fastest possible way to a permanent residence permit. According to the Swedish Alien Act (Utlänningslag 2005:716) chapter 5, § 5, a person who have held a residence permit as a self employed person for a period of two years can be approved a permanent residence permit IF the business is established.

Who Can Apply?

As a self-employed individual (with a so-called self-employment residence permit), you do not need to be employed by a Swedish employer—you apply for a permit to start and run a business in Sweden. To succeed with an application for a self-employment residence permit, you must:

• Have a realistic and sustainable business idea.
• Demonstrate that you, alone, manage the company in a leading position and personally own at least 50% of the company (50% of the shares if it is a limited liability company, a business form we always recommend. If you run a sole proprietorship, you are always the sole owner).
• Have sufficient capital to start and begin operating the company, as well as enough capital for your own support (for personal support, 200,000 SEK is required for you as the main applicant, 100,000 SEK for your co-applicant, and 50,000 SEK per accompanying child).
• Have relevant experience or education in the industry AND documented experience in running a business.
• Be proficient in Swedish and/or English. Note that the Swedish Migration Agency now generally requires that you speak and write Swedish well to be deemed capable of independently running your business.
• Have arranged any management of other owned companies to ensure you can dedicate 100% of your time to your business in Sweden.

What Documentation Do You Need to Communicate with the Swedish Migration Agency?

The Swedish Migration Agency requires, among other things:

• Valid passport and authorized translations of relevant documents.
• Bank certificate and proof that the capital is your own funds and is at your disposal.
• Comprehensive business plan with budget, forecasts, and market analysis.
• Registration certificate for the company, customer or supplier contracts if available, financial statements, and similar documents if the company is already active.

How AdamLaw Helps You – Step by Step

1. Analysis and Preparation – Your idea is evaluated against the Swedish market, and your financial situation is checked against current requirements.
2. Bank and Authority Contact, Contract Drafting/Review – If needed, AdamLaw can, through a power of attorney, assist in registering your company, opening a bank account, and drafting or reviewing all contracts you may need in your business. If your business idea requires specific permits, we assist in this process as well.
3. Business Plan & Documentation – We create a robust business plan tailored to the Migration Agency's requirements, draft a preliminary budget, and gather necessary appendices for review. We compile your immigration-related business profile.
4. Application to the Swedish Migration Agency – We support you through the entire application process, from submission to decision.
5. Supplements or Appeals – We act quickly if adjustments are needed or if your application is rejected.

Entrepreneurship in Sweden

Sweden is an attractive country for self-employed individuals. In addition to the political and social stability, personal freedoms, and beautiful nature, Sweden encourages entrepreneurship for many reasons. It is easy to conduct business in Sweden, and the limited liability company offers a business form where your personal liability is limited to the 25,000 SEK you invest in the company as share capital

As of July 2025, Sweden had 1,200,000 companies, of which three-quarters are sole proprietorships. A total of 500,800 of Sweden's residents were self-employed at that time.

When applying for a self-employment residence permit, you are expected to have conducted some form of market analysis to demonstrate that you not only understand entrepreneurship and the industry but also the relevant product market.

Why Choose AdamLaw?

Lawyer Adam M. Lindström - Master of Laws (LL.M.) has extensive experience assisting clients where business law intersects with immigration law. With a law degree from the prestigious Lund University, specializing in business law and economic crime, combined with his experience as a senior lawyer in the immigration law department at H I Juristbyrå, he possesses the expertise required to guide you through the complexities of applying for a self-employment residence permit in Sweden. This enables us to offer a unique combination of legal and business economic expertise.

We ensure your application is entirely correct from the first step to the final decision—with transparent pricing, a clear strategy, and personal support.

Let AdamLaw do what we do best—secure your residence permit—so you have time to focus on what you do best: being an entrepreneur and contributing to the development of Swedish business!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a self-employment residence permit?
A residence permit that allows you to live in Sweden and run your own business without being employed.

How much capital is required?
You need to show sufficient funds as outlined in your business plan to start and operate your company. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you have 200,000 SEK in personal funds for your own support, 100,000 SEK for a co-applicant, and 50,000 SEK for each accompanying child.

Can I bring my family to Sweden?
Yes—spouse and children under 18 can apply for accompanying residence permits if you can provide for them, as outlined above.

What should the business plan include?
It must include at least the business idea, market analysis, relevant target audience, active competitors, preliminary budget, estimated costs, a timeline, and your performance goals.

How long is the processing time?
Approximately 20 months—a complete application reduces waiting time.

I received a rejection, what can I do?
You have the right to appeal! We assist with a strong, well-founded appeal by identifying the deficiency noted by the Migration Agency, correcting it, and demonstrating to the Migration Court that you are an asset to Sweden and now meet the requirements!

Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case! Fill out your details below, and we will contact you as soon as possible! AdamLaw – secure your future in Sweden!