In short
- Citizens outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland generally need a work permit.
- The employee applies, but the job ad, the offer and the terms are your responsibility.
- Salary and insurance must at least match the collective agreement or industry practice.
Who needs a work permit in Sweden?
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can work in Sweden without a permit. Everyone else generally needs a work permit before they start working. There are exceptions, for example for people who already hold a residence permit on other grounds, so always check what applies to the person you want to hire.
Step by step for the employer
- Advertise the job in Sweden and the EU/EEA for the period the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) requires, usually through the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), which also shares the ad across the EU.
- Create an offer of employment in the Migration Agency's e-service. The offer must state salary, working hours and insurance.
- Let the relevant trade union comment on the terms, if the Migration Agency asks for it.
- The employee submits the application and pays the fee.
- Wait for the decision. The person may not start working before the permit is granted, unless they already hold a valid permit.
Salary requirements and terms
Salary and terms must be at least on par with the collective agreement or with what is standard in the industry. On top of that there is a salary threshold based on the median salary in Sweden. The level changes over time, so check the current threshold with the Migration Agency before you make an offer.
The employer must also take out or offer insurance for sickness, life, occupational injury and occupational pension from the first day of work.
After the work permit is granted
- Check that the person holds a valid permit and keep a copy during the employment and for a period afterwards.
- Notify the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) that you have hired someone from a country outside the EU/EEA.
- Keep the terms you stated in the offer. The Migration Agency may check them when the permit is up for extension, and deviations can lead to the extension being refused.
How long does a Swedish work permit take?
Processing times vary with occupation, country and how complete the application is. The certified employer scheme no longer exists. Instead, the Migration Agency guarantees that applications for highly qualified workers are processed within 30 days. Almost every role we fill falls into that category. Other categories take longer, and the Migration Agency publishes current processing times on its website.
Work permit rules change often. This guide gives an overview, but always start from the Migration Agency's current information before you make decisions.