The Riksdag (Swedish parliament) has decided on new rules for employment immigration, including new salary and health insurance requirements for work permits and a longer duration of stay for certain permit holders. The legislative changes will come into effect on June 1, 2026.
Among the key changes, a new wage requirement means that the salary must amount to at least 90 percent of the median salary in Sweden at the time of application. it remains the case that the salary and other employment conditions must not be worse than what follows from collective agreements or practices in the profession or industry.
The government will have the opportunity to decide later on exemptions from the new salary requirement for certain professional groups, and to decide that certain professional groups will not be granted work permits.
Higher income requirements are also being introduced for (intra-company transfer (ICT) permits and seasonal work permits.
A requirement for comprehensive health insurance is also being introduced for people who will be staying in Sweden for a maximum of one year. Anyone applying for a work permit for a shorter stay will therefore need to show that there is an application for such insurance.
The permit period for EU Blue Cards is extended to up to four years and the permit period for seasonal work is extended from six to nine months over a twelve-month period.
People who have a residence permit to seek employment or investigate the conditions for conducting business activities after completing research or studies will have expanded opportunities to apply for a residence permit for research or studies at the doctoral level without leaving Sweden.
Under the new rules, an application for a work permit can be rejected if there are circumstances that concern the employer. This could, for example, involve certain crimes or sanctions.
In addition, two new crimes are introduced in the Aliens Act: exploitation of foreign labor and trafficking in work permits. The financial penalty is also increased for anyone who employs a person who does not have the right to reside or work in Sweden.
The new rules will enter into force on June 1, 2026. There is a special transitional provision for the new salary requirement. During a transitional period of six months from the entry into force, the new salary requirement will not apply to extension applications for work permits that have been granted under the older rules.
This means that anyone who already has a work permit according to today’s rules, and who applies for an extension between 1 June and December 1, 2026, is not covered by the new salary requirement.
However, the new salary requirement applies to applications that are made for the first time and where a decision is not made before June 1, 2026. The salary requirement also applies to extension applications that relate to permits that were initially granted according to the new rules and to applications for extended work permits that are received after December 1, 2026.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.