Work permit

Citizens of many countries must also have a visa in order to travel to Sweden when spending less than three months (90 days) here.

If the employee does not begin working in their position within four months of receiving a work permit, the permit must be withdrawn. This means that the person is no longer entitled to work in Sweden.

Employing an individual who has a work permit with another employer.

For the first 24 months, a work permit is valid only for the employer and profession shown on the permit. If a person changes employers or professions, a new work permit application must be made. Once an application has been made, the employee can begin working for the new employer before receiving a decision, provided that the previous permit has not expired.

After 24 months and after receiving an extension for their work permit, an employee may change to another employer without submitting a new application, as long as they remain in the same profession. If the new position involves a different profession, a new work permit application must be made.

Extending a work permit

An employee who needs to extend their work permit can do so on the Swedish Migration Board's website. The application must be submitted no earlier than four months before the current permit expires, but it should be done before the expiration date so that the employee can keep their entitlement to work. 

Work permit – EU/EEA citizens

EU citizens and their families who work, study or have sufficient means to support themselves are automatically granted right of residence, which means that they can stay here without a residence permit or work permit. See Residence Permit for more information.

What applies when entering?

When entering Sweden, EU/EEA citizens and their families need to have a valid passport or identification documents that show citizenship. The employee and their family are entitled to start working right away.

Sanctions for employers

On 1 August 2013, an EU directive was introduced regarding employers or principals who deliberately or due to negligence employ an individual who has no right to be in Sweden or work here. The directive stipulates that such an employer may have to pay a penalty charge, they may lose their entitlement to public aid, contributions and benefits for five years, they may be liable to repay previously received contributions, and/or they could be fined or sentenced to prison.

Employing an individual who has long-term resident status in another EU country­­

Those who have long-term resident status do not need a work permit in order to receive employment in Sweden, but should apply for a residence permit if they intend to stay for longer than three months.

Long-term resident status is a special form of residence permit that can be granted to individuals who have lived in and possessed a residence permit for an EU country for at least five years. It allows greater opportunities for moving to another EU country, such as Sweden, for work etc. It is possible to see on a person's residence permit card whether they have long-term resident status.

When employing a person with long-term resident status, we must save documents that prove that the individual is entitled to live and work in Sweden. The documents should be archived for the duration of the person's employment, and for 12 months after it has ended. For more information, see the Swedish Migration Board's website.

Employees

For employees who are long-term residents of another EU country, a certificate of employment signed by the employer is needed. Use the form provided by the Swedish Migration Board called 'Certificate of employment for citizens of EU/EEA countries and for those who are long-term residents of another Member State', No. 227021.

Link to 'Frequently asked questions about work permits'

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.