If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you have the right to work, run your own business, study or live in Sweden without a residence permit. The right of EU/EEA citizens to reside in Sweden without a residence permit is known as right of residence.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you have the right to stay in Sweden for up to three months without having to meet any special requirements, as long as you have a valid passport or national identity card on which your citizenship is stated. If you want to stay in Sweden for more than three months, you need to meet the requirements for right of residence by either working, running your own business, studying or having sufficient funds to support yourself.
If you have right of residence in Sweden, you do not need to contact the Swedish Migration Agency.
As an EU/EEA citizen, you have the right to start working, running your own business or studying directly as soon as you arrive in Sweden.
Once you have lived in Sweden with right of residence for at least five years, you gain permanent right of residence.
You want to apply – Permanent right of residence
If you plan to live in Sweden for at least one year to work, study or live on your own funds, you must report your move to Sweden and get listed in the Swedish Population Register. It is the Swedish Tax Agency that decides whether you meet the conditions for being listed in the Swedish Population Register. Being listed in the Swedish Population Register means that you are registered as a resident of Sweden. Once you are listed in the Swedish Population Register, you will receive a personal identity number.
Read more about population registration on the website of the Swedish Tax Agency External link.
If you are going to start your own business, you must submit an application for an F-tax certificate to the Swedish Tax Agency. You may also need to register your company with the Swedish Companies Registration Office before you start running your business.
The Swedish Companies Registration Office External link.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen and do not meet the requirements for right of residence, you may not stay in Sweden for more than three months. If you have a family member in Sweden, you can apply for a residence permit to live with them here.
You want to apply – Live with a partner, child, or other relative
If you have right of residence in Sweden, your family also has it. This means that your family members have the right to live and work in Sweden without permits, as long as you meet the requirements for right of residence.
If your family member is a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country and plan to be in Sweden for longer than three months, they need to apply for a residence card.
2025-12-03
The Migration Agency’s drop-in service closes on 1 January
On 1 January, the Swedish Migration Agency’s service centre will close for drop-in visits. If you have any questions about your case, please contact the Swedish Migration Agency by telephone or via My page. For guidance and assistance with your application, or with using the Swedish Migration Agency’s digital services, please visit the National Government Service Centre.
2025-09-11
How you will be affected when extended passports become invalid
We have previously reported that Swedish authorities will not accept extended passports from 1 October 2025. Here we answer frequently asked questions about what this means and who will be affected.
2025-07-23
Extended passports become invalid on 1 October
As of 1 October 2025, Swedish authorities will no longer accept passports that have had their period of validity extended by inserting a stamp or sticker into the passport. If you have such a national passport, you should apply for a new one.
