From June 1, 2026, new rules for work permits will apply in Sweden. One of the changes is a new salary requirement stipulating that, in order to obtain a work permit, the salary must amount to at least 90 percent of the median salary in Sweden at the time of application.
The government has decided that certain occupational groups will not be subject to the salary requirement. Through amendments to the Aliens Ordinance, around twenty occupations are exempted from the salary threshold (listed here). For these occupations, the salary instead must amount to at least 75 percent of the median salary in Sweden at the time of application. The exemption for these occupations will apply from June 1, 2026.
Pending applications
At present, the Swedish Migration Agency has approximately 2,200 open work permit cases (first-time applications). The majority of these applications will not be processed before June 1. Of these 2,200 cases, around 120 concern applications for work permits in occupations that may now be exempt from the salary requirement. For all others, the salary requirement must be fulfilled in order for a work permit to be granted after June 1, 2026.
Extension applications
Those who currently have a work permit according to the rules that apply now and who apply for an extension between June 1 and December 1, 2026 are not covered by the new salary requirement. For these individuals, current rules apply instead: the monthly salary must be at least 80 percent of the median salary that Statistics Sweden (SCB) has published and was current when you applied. Currently, that is 29,680 SEK.
Work permit holders can apply for an extension no more than two months before your current permit expires.
Additional groups exempted
Four additional categories of applicants are also exempt from the 90 percent requirement. For these groups as well, the salary must amount to 75 percent of the median salary:
- former students who are allowed to apply for a work permit from within Sweden,
- persons with foreign qualifications seeking employment in order to obtain a Swedish license as a pharmacist, doctor, nurse, or dentist,
- persons granted residence permits with or after temporary protection under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive, who apply for permits based on employment,
- employees at certain tech or life science companies. The company must be in a start-up phase, less than five years old, and have fewer than one hundred employees.
The exemption for these groups will apply from June 11, 2026.
Occupations excluded from eligibility for work permits
The new rules also mean that employment in two occupations will no longer qualify for a work permit, regardless of employment conditions. These two occupations are personal assistants and forest berry pickers.
Most people working in berry picking apply for seasonal work permits and are therefore not affected by the exclusion. However, there are approximately 60 work permit applications concerning employment as personal assistants. For this occupational group, the exclusion means that work permits can no longer be granted for employment within that occupation.
New notification requirement
The changes also mean that the government is introducing a new notification requirement for employers, with the aim of preventing fraud and abuse. Employers with an employee holding a work permit in Sweden must notify the Swedish Migration Agency if the employee has not started working within four months from the date the permit came into effect. In addition, information about employers contained in suspicion and criminal records registers may be disclosed to the Swedish Migration Agency in work permit cases.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.