Residency permits
Information and practical advice about residency permits in Sweden.
How new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2026
Several major changes to Swedish migration laws are expected in 2026. Here are the ones likely to have the biggest impact on the lives of foreigners in Sweden.
Do foreigners in Sweden have to carry their residence cards?
Foreign residents in Sweden who are granted residence permits are issued with a residence card or 'uppehållstillstånd'. Who does this apply to and are they obliged to carry the card all the time?
UPDATED: What's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws?
There are a number of migration-related laws and policies in the pipeline in Sweden, including changes to work permits, citizenship and permanent residency requirements, and plans to tighten up permanent residency and asylum applications.
Checklist: How to move to Sweden as an American
If American politics has you thinking of leaving the US – or indeed if you want to move to Sweden for love, work, adventure or any other reason – there are some hurdles to overcome first. Here's a look at the various routes available to US citizens.
COMPARE: Which country in Europe is the easiest to retire to?
Finishing work and heading off to a glorious new life as a retiree in Europe is the dream for many, but just how easy is it to do in reality? We compare the rules in 9 countries in Europe.
Why is Sweden's Migration Agency closing its contact centres?
The Swedish Migration Agency is to close its contact centres, with the functions moved to the national government service centres which already handle face-to-face meetings for the Tax Agency. Sara Åhman, the agency's director for national operations, told us how she hopes the change will benefit applicants.
Who has permanent residency as a result of long-term residence in Sweden?
A government inquiry's new proposal to revoke the permanent residence permits of over 100,000 foreigners in Sweden is targeted at asylum migrants, but will also affect over a thousand people who got permanent residence through EU Long-Term Residence. Here's who they are.
Parents of Malmö's hummus bar owner given weeks to leave country
Ibra Idrees set up Malmö’s first hummus bar, Hummusson, after applying for countless jobs in Sweden with no success. He even managed to employ his parents in the company. Now, however, a decision from the Migration Agency to refuse to extend their work permit means the family’s future is uncertain.
EXPLAINED: How to become a Swedish citizen
Like Sweden so much you want to stay forever – or even become a Swede? The process can seem daunting, so The Local has looked into what you need to know about getting Swedish citizenship.
Who would lose Swedish permanent residency under proposed new law?
It’s not only people with asylum backgrounds who risk losing permanent residence under the proposals, but also those who obtained it through the Long-Term Resident route, widely used by researchers and Swiss citizens.
EXPLAINED: What's the best way to bring an ageing parent to Sweden?
Many people living and working in Sweden have one or more parents living back in their home country, often alone. What are the options if they need support or stop being able to care for themselves?
IN NUMBERS: How long are waiting times at Sweden's Migration Agency?
Sweden's Migration Agency has notoriously long waiting times for citizenship applications and residence permits. So, how long should you expect to wait?
EXPLAINED: The various types of permanent residency documents in Sweden
There are multiple types of permanent residence documents or statuses in Sweden, which can lead to confusion about residency status. The application processes and rights granted depend on your citizenship and what you're doing in Sweden.
'Only people who got a work permit will keep Swedish permanent residency'
For the Sweden Democrats' immigration spokesperson, Ludvig Aspling, the conclusions of a two-year government inquiry on revoking permanent residency mark the culmination of nearly a decade of work. He tells The Local why he is confident that its proposals will become reality.
Q&A: How Swedish Migration Agency's 30-day pledge for researchers will work
Sweden's Migration Agency from the start of this month is aiming to process all complete residence permit applications from researchers and PhD students within 30 days. We spoke to Maral Pichgah Larsson, unit chief at the Migration Agency, about what the new pledge entails.
What questions do you have about Sweden's proposal to revoke permanent residency?
A Swedish government inquiry has proposed a new law which could lead to close to 120,000 people being stripped of their permanent residency permits. Share any questions you have in the survey below, and we'll do our best to answer them.
Sweden's Migration Agency pledges 30-day processing time for PhD students
The Swedish Migration Agency has set a new 30-day target for concluding residency permit applications from foreign PhD students and their dependents, in what it hopes will mean better service for higher education.
Politics in Sweden: 'permanent' has become precarious for immigrants to Sweden
A proposal to retroactively remove permanent residency from over 100,000 people in Sweden might not become law in its present form – but the very fact that it's being proposed will make many immigrants less secure, says James Savage.
Explained: Sweden’s plan to revoke permanent residence permits
A Swedish government inquiry on Friday recommended enacting a new law which could lead to close to 120,000 people in Sweden being stripped of their permanent residency permits. Here's what you need to know.
What is Sweden’s varaktigt bosatt status and how do you qualify?
Sweden’s varaktigt bosatt status is a way for non-EU citizens to gain permanent residency in Sweden under EU law. How exactly does it work?
In Numbers: Who do Europe's 3.57 million residency permits go to?
European countries countries issued some 3.57 million first time residency permits to non-EU nationals in 2024, 315,000 fewer than in 2023. How can the drop be explained?
Where in Europe gives the most residency permits to Americans, Brits and Indians?
Tens of thousands of Americans, Brits, Indians, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, Nigerians and South Africans moved to European countries on first residency permits in 2024. But where did they all go and what for?
Is Sweden's government about to take away people's permanent residency?
A Swedish government inquiry is reportedly expected to recommend within days that the government move to downgrade permanent residency status to temporary for refugees and beneficiaries of the so-called gymnasium law.