Northern Europe · Immigration

Sweden

69 immigration routes

Sweden sits in Northern Europe. Its immigration system runs 69 distinct routes — led by family, residence-based status and free movement, each set out in official law. All 69 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
69across 14 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
69 of 69cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Family12 of the 69 routes — see them under Family below
Region
Northern Europe
Capital
Stockholm
Population
10,596,620
Official language
Swedish
Currency
SEK
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 69 routes, grouped by purpose — 69 of 69 cite an official government source directly.

Work

from SEK 34,470/mo · 4 of 9 say who you can bring
9 routes

Employment with an employer in Sweden.

Income from SEK 34,470/moCan bring: children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 6
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-07-27

Exceptional in-country work-permit application after a visit made specifically to meet an employer in a shortage occupation.

Income from SEK 34,470/moCan bring: children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 6
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-07-27

Employment aboard a Swedish-registered ship operating in domestic traffic.

Income from SEK 34,470/moCan bring: children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 4
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-07-27

Fixed-term employment that can only be carried out during part of the year.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 3Process & costs: 3Report facts: 4
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-07-27

Business & self-employment

1 route

Talent & merit

from SEK 9,700/mo · 2 of 6 say who you can bring
6 routes

Highly qualified employment in Sweden.

Income from SEK 53,625/moCan bring: spouse, children, partner
Eligibility: 4Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-07-27

Looking for work or exploring a business after completing research in Sweden or qualifying EU mobility research.

Income from SEK 9,700/mo
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-08-03 · 2 sources

Research in Sweden under a hosting agreement with an approved research principal.

Income from SEK 9,700/mo
Eligibility: 3Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-08-03 · 2 sources

Study

from SEK 10,656/mo · 1 of 9 says who you can bring
9 routes

First- or second-cycle higher education, higher vocational education or qualifying post-secondary studies.

Income from SEK 10,656/moCan bring: spouse, children, partner, de facto partner
Eligibility: 3Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 5
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-07-27

Full-time studies in Sweden outside the higher-education and contract-education routes.

Income from SEK 10,656/mo
Eligibility: 3Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 2
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-07-27

Family

from SEK 4,440/mo
12 routes

Residence-based status

10 routes

Free movement

10 routes

Youth mobility

1 route

Cultural, religious & volunteer

1 route

Cultural exchange and limited childcare or light housework with a Swedish host family.

Eligibility: 3Documents: 2Report facts: 7
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-07-27

Short stay & visit

3 routes

Humanitarian protection

4 routes

Ancestry & return

1 route

Sports

from SEK 34,470/mo · 1 of 1 says who you can bring
1 route

Professional employment under contract with a Swedish sports club or association.

Income from SEK 34,470/moCan bring: children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: migrationsverket.se · checked 2026-07-27

Transit

1 route

Transit through the international transit area of a Schengen airport during a stopover or change of flights.

Official government source: swedenabroad.se · checked 2026-07-27

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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