New rules for work permits from 1 June 2026

From 1 June 2026, new rules for work permits apply in Sweden. One of the biggest changes is a new salary requirement: in order for you to be able to obtain a work permit, your salary must be at least 90 percent of the median salary in Sweden at the time of application. The salary must still be on par with Swedish collective agreements or what is common practice within the profession or industry. The new salary requirement replaces the requirement of a good living.

The salary requirement applies to those who receive a decision from 1 June

The new salary requirement applies to those who apply for a work permit for the first time and who receive a decision on 1 June 2026 or later. This means that the new salary requirement may apply to you even if you submitted your application before 1 June, if the Swedish Migration Agency makes a decision after that date.

Does not apply to those who apply for an extension 1 June–1 December

Those who currently have a work permit according to the rules that apply now and then apply for an extension between 1 June and 1 December 2026 are not covered by the new salary requirement. For you, current rules apply instead: your monthly salary must be at least 80 percent of the median salary that Statistics Sweden, SCB, has published and was current when you applied. Today, that is 29,680 SEK.

Keep in mind that you can apply for an extension no more than two months before your current permit expires.

Exceptions to the salary requirement

The Swedish Parliament has decided that the Government may decide that certain occupational groups shall not be covered by the salary requirement. So far, no decision has been made as to whether any occupations should be exempted, or if so, which ones.

Comprehensive health insurance a requirement

In order to be granted a work permit, you must already today be insured with insurance policies that are on par with collective agreements or what is customary in the occupation or industry. These insurance policies shall be taken out by your employer. New from 1 June 2026 will be that you must also show that you have or have applied for a comprehensive health insurance policy, if you are to stay in Sweden for a maximum of one year.

Adjustments of requirements for other types of work permits

Certain work permits are based on EU rules or special systems. For those who are going to apply for one of those permits, other requirements for support apply. This applies, for example, to:

• EU Blue Card
• ICT permit
• permit for seasonal work
• permits based on international agreements or exchange programs.

New from 1 June for seasonal work, ICT permits, and EU Blue Cards

For seasonal work, from 1 June there will be a requirement that the salary must at least correspond to the minimum level according to Swedish collective agreements or practice within the profession or industry for full-time work. The requirement also applies to part-time work. The same applies regarding compensation for ICT permits.
For EU Blue Cards, there are no changes regarding the salary threshold, which today is 52,000 SEK.

Permit periods will also be extended for EU Blue Cards and seasonal work. The permit period for the EU Blue Card will be a maximum of four years at a time instead of two years. The permit period for seasonal work will be extended from six to nine months during a twelve-month period.

More changes from 1 June 2026

From 1 June 2026, the Swedish Migration Agency will be able to reject applications for work permits due to deficiencies linked to the employer. This could, for example, concern certain crimes or sanctions. After 1 June, the Government can also decide that the Swedish Migration Agency cannot grant work permits for certain occupational groups. Whether this will be the case and which occupations would be involved is not yet clear.