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Working in Sweden – EU/EEA citizens

As an EU/EEA citizen you have the right to work in Sweden without a work and residence permit. The same applies to your family members. You and your family members are entitled to begin working immediately. If you would like to stay longer than three months, you have to register with the Swedish Migration Board.
On entering Sweden you need a valid passport or an identity card proving your citizenship.

Commuters do not need to register
If you are an EU/EEA citizen and are working in Sweden but live in another EU/EEA country to which you return at least once a week, you do not need to register in Sweden.

Swiss citizens
If you are a citizen of Switzerland you must apply for a residence permit. Nordic citizens may spend time in and live in Sweden without needing to register or hold a residence permit.
 

Registration


A person who has a right of residence must register with the Swedish Migration Board no later than three months after entering the country.
 

Requirements for registration


For your right of residence to be registered, you must enclose a document showing that you belong to one of the following categories:
 
Employee
If you are an employee, you must send a certificate of employment from the employer stating the period of employment and the form of employment. The certificate of employment must be written and signed by your employer. Apart from the name, address and telephone number of the employer, the name of a contact person at the employer must also be given. The certificate must include the company's corporate identity number and your duties. It must also state how many hours you will work each week.

Please use the form Employment certification for EU/EEA citizens and persons with long-term resident status in another EU country, no. 227021.
 
Self-employed person
If you are self-employed, you must include a registration certificate for the company and/or an F-tax certificate.

As a rule, further documentation is also required, for example:

  • a marketing plan for the company
  • a lease agreement for premises necessary for the company´s operations
  • proof of previous experience and expertise within the field in question
  • invoices from the company
  • receipts/invoices for materials purchased
  • VAT accounts
  • transfer documents if you have purchased an already established business.

Provider of a service
If you provide a service, you must send a certificate, agreement or similar document that states the type of service in question and how long you will offer that service. The document must be written and signed by the person who will receive the service.
 

Different ways of registering

If you are registering with the Swedish Migration Board, you can choose to do so in three ways:

  • at the Swedish Migration Board's website
  • by post to the Swedish Migration Board by completing the form Registration of right of residence, no. 141011
  • at one of the Swedish Migration Board's Permit Units by completing the form Registration of right of residence, no. 141011.

You must enclose a copy of a valid passport or national identity card proving your citizenship.
 

Registration fee


There is no cost for registering.
 

Validity period for registration


The registration certificate is permanent, does not need to be renewed and is valid as long as you are resident in Sweden on condition that you satisfy the above requirements. When you have been in Sweden legally and with right of residence for five years without a lengthy break, you have permanent right of residence. If you would like a permanent residence certificate you can apply to the Swedish Migration Board.  

Right to appeal


A decision regarding registration cannot be appealed. If you do not have right of residence, and as a result you are not registered, you can apply for a residence permit instead.
Members of the EU
Austria, Belgium, Bulgary, Cyperus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Litauania, Luxembourg, Malta, Nederlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland also enjoy freedom of movement within the EU

Page updated: 2009-12-01