Residence permit

Right of residence for EU/EEA citizens

An EU Citizen is entitled to work, study and live in Sweden without a residence permit. This is called right of residence. A person can have right of residence if they are employed, self-employed, studying or has sufficient resources to support themselves. In this case, the Swedish Migration Board does not need to be contacted. Work and education may begin immediately on arrival in Sweden. 

Family members of an EU citizen who has right of residence as shown above also have right of residence. An EU citizen who is moving must show their passport or national ID card. Family members must be able to prove their family relationship. Further details about residence permits and right of residence can be found on the Swedish Migration Board's website, www.migrationsverket.se.

Residence permit for doctoral students

Those who intend to study in Sweden at the postgraduate level for longer than three months must apply for a residence permit for postgraduate studies. The permit must be ready before the person can travel to Sweden. 

Checklist and examples of attestation for postgraduate studies .

Since it can take time to process an application, doctoral students should submit their applications at least three or four months prior to their planned arrival in Sweden.

The Swedish Migration Board grants residence permits for the time required for postgraduate education, but never for longer than the validity of a person's passport. Even if an applicant has been accepted for several years of study, the Swedish Migration Board will only grant a residence permit for postgraduate studies for up to two years at a time.

Extending residence permits for doctoral students

An application for extending a residence permit for doctoral students should be made before the current one expires, but no earlier than six months before that date. An example of where this may be relevant is when the term for a planned licentiate degree continues towards a doctorate.

If an application is received by the Swedish Migration Board before the current permit has expired, the applicant is entitled to remain in Sweden and continue working pending a decision. If an application is received by the Swedish Migration Board after the residence permit has expired, the applicant is not entitled to continue working. 

Residence permit for researchers

This process applies to researchers whose research represents more than 50% of their position. Relevant appointments include, for example, visiting researchers and postdoctoral researchers.

A researcher who is a citizen of a non-EU country and wishes to work in Sweden is exempted from the requirement for a work permit, but must hold a residence permit. The researcher's residence permit must be ready prior to travelling to Sweden. Mid Sweden University has procured a relocation service that can be used in this process. For more information, see Relocation.

No residence permit is required for work that lasts for less than three months. However, citizens of some countries must have a visa.

An individual in Sweden who holds a permit for studying may apply online whilst still in the country.

Residence permit for research in another EU country.

Individuals who possess a residence permit for research in another EU country and who intend to conduct part of their research in Sweden can submit their application from within Sweden.

A researcher who holds a residence permit for research in another EU country may begin their research immediately if:

• their residence permit for the other EU country is still valid, and
• the researcher has not already been in Sweden to conduct research for a more than of 180 of the last 360 days.

If the research will extend for a longer period of time, the researcher needs a long-stay residence permit for mobile researchers. The researcher can apply for such a permit from within Sweden.

Extending residence permits for researchers

If the hosting agreement is extended, the researcher must apply for an extension to his or her permit. If a hosting agreement remains in place after four years, the researcher may be granted a permanent residence permit.

Residence permit card

When a person is granted a residence permit, they receive a residence permit card. Follow this link for further information about the residence permit card.