Sweden
Work Assignment
(Rather short-term, i.e. some months to three years, contract and social security as far as possible abroad and intended return to origin)
National Swedish work-permit
As a general rule, working in Sweden requires a valid work-permit for non-EU citizens. Such permit may be obtained through an application process which is initiated prior to the candidate travelling to Sweden.
To be granted a work permit, the prospective employee is required to have (i) a signed employment contract, (ii) valid passport, (iii) an offer of employment with terms at least on par with those set by Swedish collective agreements or which are customary within the occupation or industry. , (iv) a salary of at least SEK 27,360 per month before taxes (amount is correct until summer 2024, as amount updates every year in summer) and (v) have insurances covering health, life, employment and pension once the employment commences. Such insurances are provided by the prospective employer.
For short-term assignments (less than three months) both work permission and a visa are required for citizens from certain countries. Some candidates, depending on their occupation, may be subject to certain exemptions from the work permit requirement. Previous may, inter alia, include concern specialists in an international corporation who work temporarily in Sweden for the corporation for less than 90 days and researchers or teachers in higher education who work for a maximum total of three months over a period of 12 months. Even if exempt from the work permit requirements, citizens of certain countries may still require an entry visa in order to travel to Sweden. Also, employment lasting longer than three months require an application for a residence permit for visits must in addition.
Employers are obliged to notify the Swedish Tax Agency when a citizen from a country outside of EU/EEA or Switzerland is employed or sent here to work. Notification must be made regardless of whether the employment is for a shorter or longer period. Please further note that employers have an obligation to provide information to the Swedish Migration Agency of any changes made to the conditions of an offered employment in cases where a candidate has been granted a work permit.
ICT (Intra Corporate Transfer) permits
Citizens of a country outside of EU/EEA and Switzerland, who are employed in a country outside of EU/EEA and Switzerland, can apply for an ICT permit, which allows temporarily intra- corporate transfers. The ICT permit is applicable to managers, specialists and graduate trainees who are working more than 90 days in Sweden Further, the applicant must have been employed for at least three continuous months before the relocation.
To obtain an ICT-permit, employer must offer employment conditions that are at least at the same level as Swedish collective agreements or what is customary in the profession or industry. The employer must also provide a copy of the employment contract. A decision on an ICT permit should be made within 90 days, and the decision must be issued before the applicant travels to Sweden.
Residence permit for highly qualified candidates
A Swedish residence permit has recently been introduced for highly qualified candidates with an advanced degree. Such residence permit maybe granted for a minimum of three months and a maximum of nine months for those who wish to visit Sweden to look for employment or investigate possibilities of starting a business in Sweden.
In order to be granted such permit the applicant must (i) have completed studies equivalent to an examination at a higher level, (ii) have sufficient funds for accommodation in Sweden and for the return journey, and (iii) have a comprehensive health insurance valid in Sweden.
If a third country national is offered employment or intends to start a business in Sweden during the permit period, they may apply from within Sweden either for a residence permit for work or a residence permit to start a business in Sweden.
Employment Immigration
(rather long-term or indefinite, local contract and social security)
National Swedish work permit
A third- country national who wants to work in Sweden requires a work permit. Such permit may be obtained through an application process which is initiated prior to the candidate travelling to Sweden.
To be granted a work permit, the prospective employee is required to have (i) a signed employment contract, (ii) valid passport, (iii) an offer of employment with terms at least on par with those set by Swedish collective agreements or which are customary within the occupation or industry, (iv) a salary of at least SEK 27,360 per month before taxes (amount is correct until summer 2024, as amount updates every year in summer) and (v) have insurances covering health, life, employment and pension once the employment commences. Such insurances are provided by the prospective employer.
Employers are obliged to notify the Swedish Tax Agency when a citizen from a country outside of EU/EEA or Switzerland is employed or sent here to work. Please further note that employers have an obligation to provide information to the Swedish Migration Agency of any changes made to the conditions of an offered employment in cases where a candidate has been granted a work permit.
Once the work permit holder has worked and lived in Sweden for a total of four years over the past seven years, they may be granted a permanent residence permit.
EU Blue Card
Citizens of a non-EU country who have been offered a highly qualified position can apply for an EU-Blue card. An EU Blue Card issued in Sweden gives the holder the right to live and work in Sweden.
In order to be granted an EU Blue Card, applicants need to (i) hold either a Swedish university degree (or a recognized or comparable foreign university degree) or five years of relevant professional experience, and (ii) have a job offer for highly qualified employment in Sweden, lasting minimum one year and with a monthly salary of at least one and a half times bigger than an average salary in Sweden. Lastly (iii) the applicant must have in place a comprehensive health insurance that is valid for care in Sweden.
Further, to obtain an EU Blue Card, the employer must offer conditions that are at least at the same level as Swedish collective agreements or what is customary in the profession or industry.
After five years with an EU Blue Card in Sweden (or another EU-country) status as long-term resident can be given if the Blue Card holder has been living in the same EU country for the last two years. The status as long-term resident gives some of the rights that an EU citizen has, including free movement in the EU.
An EU Blue Card holder who has worked and lived in Sweden for 48 months, may be granted a permanent residence permit.
