Sweden Work Permit 2026: New Salary Rules from June 1

Sweden overhauled its work permit rules on June 1, 2026. If you are applying for a new work permit or extending an existing one, the salary bar is higher, a health insurance requirement is new, and Migrationsverket has more power to reject applications tied to non-compliant employers.

This guide covers every change that matters for non-EU workers planning to move to or stay in Sweden.

What changed on June 1, 2026

The Swedish government replaced the old "good living" maintenance requirement with a concrete salary floor and added a health insurance obligation. The changes apply to all new work permit applications filed on or after June 1, 2026.

Three key changes:

1. Salary threshold raised to 90% of the median — your gross monthly salary must equal or exceed 90% of the Swedish median salary published by Statistics Sweden (SCB). As of June 16, 2026, this figure is SEK 34,470 per month.
2. Health insurance required for stays up to one year — if your planned stay is 12 months or shorter, you must show proof that you have or have applied for a comprehensive health insurance policy.
3. Employer-linked rejections — Migrationsverket can now refuse applications if the employer has a history of non-compliance with work permit conditions.

The new salary requirement explained

Before June 2026, the test was whether your salary provided a "good living" in Sweden — a vague standard. The new rule replaces this with a number: 90% of the national median salary as reported annually by SCB each June.

Current threshold (June 2026)

Your salary must also be on par with Swedish collective agreements or what is common practice within your profession. If your profession's collective agreement sets a higher minimum than SEK 34,470, the higher figure applies.

What counts as salary

Only your regular monthly gross salary counts. Overtime pay, bonuses, stock options, and benefits-in-kind are not included unless they are part of the regular contractual salary. Housing allowances or relocation packages do not count.

Health insurance: the new requirement

This is entirely new from June 1, 2026. If you are applying for a work permit for a stay of one year or less, you must demonstrate that you either:

• Hold a comprehensive health insurance policy covering your stay in Sweden, or
• Have applied for such a policy

For permits longer than one year, the requirement does not apply — you will be registered in the Swedish social insurance system (Försäkringskassan) and covered by the public healthcare system once you receive your personnummer.

Practical tip: SafetyWing and similar expat insurance providers offer policies that meet this requirement. Get coverage sorted before you submit your application — Migrationsverket will check.

Transitional rules for existing permit holders

If you currently hold a valid Swedish work permit and need to extend it, transitional rules apply during a six-month window:

This means if your current permit expires in autumn 2026 and you file for extension before December 1, the lower 80% threshold (approximately SEK 30,640/month) applies to your extension. Do not wait until after December 1.

Employer accountability changes

Migrationsverket now has explicit authority to reject applications where the employer shows deficiencies. This includes:

• History of non-compliance — employers who previously failed to meet conditions attached to work permits (salary, working hours, insurance) may have new applications rejected.
• Labour market testing — the job must still be advertised within the EU/EEA for at least 10 days before offering it to a non-EU applicant.
• Collective agreement compliance — the employer must offer terms consistent with Swedish collective agreements or industry standards.

If you are considering an offer from a smaller company or a startup, ask whether they have previously sponsored work permits and whether those permits were completed without issues.

How to apply under the new rules

The application process itself has not changed — only the requirements have.

1. Your employer posts the job on the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) and within the EU/EEA for at least 10 days.
2. You receive a job offer with a contract specifying monthly salary at or above the threshold, working conditions matching collective agreements, and employer-paid insurance.
3. You apply online through Migrationsverket's web portal. Attach the offer letter, proof of health insurance (if stay ≤ 1 year), passport copy, and the application fee (currently SEK 2,000).
4. Migrationsverket processes the application. Current processing times vary — check the Migrationsverket website for the latest estimates.

What this means for different professions

The 90% median salary rule affects lower-paid professions more than high-skilled roles:

• IT and engineering roles — typically well above the threshold. No practical impact.
• Hospitality, cleaning, and service sector — many roles in these sectors pay below SEK 34,470. Employers may need to raise salaries or these positions may become harder to fill with non-EU workers.
• Healthcare and nursing — salaries vary by region. Verify that your specific offer meets the threshold.
• Seasonal agricultural work — short-term permits (≤ 1 year) now also require health insurance, adding cost.

Key dates to remember

Related guides

• Sweden Residence Permit: A Guide for Non-EU Expats
• Moving to Sweden: Complete Guide
• Swedish Tax Registration Complete Guide
• Personnummer Sweden