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Sportsmen/sportswomen and coaches

If you wish to work as a sportsman/sportswomen or coach in Sweden you must have a work permit. If the term of contract is longer than three months, you must also apply for a residence permit.

Requirements to be granted a work permit
Applying for a work permit
If you are granted a work and residence permit
Appeal

A professional sportsman/woman or official may visit Sweden without a work permit in order to take part in international competitions for a maximum of three months during a 12-month period. The citizens of some countries, however, require a visa in order to enter Sweden, see link in the right-hand column.

Requirements to be granted a work permit

In order to be granted a permit you must be a professional sportsman/woman or official and:

A valid passport
Be a professional sportsman/woman or official. If you are a football player, the minimum requirement is Divison 2 for men or women's Damallsvenskan (ladies' all-Swedish), Söderettan or Norrettan.
A written contract signed both by yourself and by your club in Sweden.
Accomodation in Sweden
A guaranteed monthly salary of at least SEK 14,300 per month before tax.
A health and accident insurance that corresponds with customary insurances within your sport and level
ett godkännande av Riksidrottsförbundet i Sverige. Förbundet måste intyga att din anställning som idrottsutövare/tränare är av väsentlig betydelse för idrottsgrenens positiva utveckling.

Applying for a work permit

You must apply for a residence permit from your native country or other country outside Sweden where you are living. Those who receive a residence permit will be given a residence permit card. The card is proof of your residence permit. When you enter Sweden, you must therefore show your card along with a valid passport.

Ways of applying

You can apply on the Migration Board's website or at a Swedish embassy or consulate in the country you are living in. You must use the form Application for Swedish work permit — for applicants outside Sweden, no. 149011

In order for the Migration Board to be able to issue a residence permit card, you will be photographed and will need to submit fingerprints in connection with:

submitting your application or
when you receive your residence permit.

Make sure your application is complete

Enclose the following documents with your application:

Copies of the pages of your passport that show your identity, the validity period of your passport and whether you have permits to be in countries other than your native country
The contract
A receipt of paid application fee

If you plan to work for less than three months and need an entry visa, you must also enclose two photographs in passport format. They must be taken from the front and not be older than six months.

Check the requirements of Swedish missions abroad

Note that the embassy or consulate where you submit your application may require additional documents. You will find more information and contact information on the website of the relevant embassy. Click on the link in the right column to find the appropriate embassy.

Application fee

Most people have to pay an application fee; see page on fees. If your application is refused, your money will not be returned. You must also pay a fee when you apply for an extension to your permit.

If you are granted a work and residence permit

The decision will be sent to the embassy or consulate where you applied or that you specified when you applied via the website. If you have not previously been photographed and had your fingerprints taken, you will need to visit a Swedish mission abroad to do so. Once the residence permit card is ready, the mission abroad will issue, or in certain cases send, the card to you.

Permit validity period

Work permits are normally granted for a maximum of one years at a time, or for the period of your contract if it is less than one years. Should your contract with your employer or club be extended, you will have to reapply for a permit.

As long as you have a valid contract, your permit can be extended for one year at a time up to a total of four years. Only in exceptional cases may the permit be extended for a longer time. Your permit is only valid for work in the club that has offered you employment and only for the branch of sport specified in your invitation.

You must be prepared to leave Sweden when your contract has expired.

Permits for family members

Your husband/wife, common law spouse and unmarried children under 21 are eligible for residence permits for the same period as you. Your husband/wife or common law spouse ay also be granted work permits if the you have been granted a permit for at least six months.

When your family applies for residence permits they should use the form Application by co-applicants to employees/visiting researchers/athletes/au pairs/self-employed persons, no. 133011.

Important to remember

People who stay in Sweden for a period that is shorter than one year are not entitled to the same welfare benefits as those who reside here. It is therefore important that you and your family have good insurance cover when you travel to Sweden.