- EU/EEA citizens can live, work, study, or run a business in Sweden without a residence permit
- You can stay up to 3 months with a valid passport or national ID
- If you stay longer, you must have right of residence (work, study, run a business, or support yourself)
- If you plan to stay 1 year or more, register with Skatteverket (the Tax Agency) to get a personal identity number
- After 5 years, you automatically gain permanent right of residence
- Non-EU family members must apply for a residence card
If you’re thinking about moving to Sweden and you’re from the EU/EEA, the process is actually pretty straightforward. You do not apply for a residence permit. Instead, you live in Sweden using your right of residence (uppehållsrätt).
All things considered, it's pretty straight forward.
EU/EEA citizens do not normally apply for a residence permit or a residence card.
Instead, you have a right of residence (uppehållsrätt) if you meet the relevant conditions under EU free movement rules.
Non-EU family members of EU citizens may need to apply for a residence card through Migrationsverket (the Swedish Migration Agency).
If you stay for longer than 3 months, you must meet at least one of the following conditions.
You are:
- working in Sweden
- self-employed or running a business
- studying and have sufficient funds and comprehensive health insurance
- financially self-sufficient and have comprehensive health insurance
- actively looking for work and have a genuine chance of finding employment
You do not submit an application for right of residence. However, you should be able to show that you meet the requirements if requested by a Swedish authority.
If you plan to live in Sweden for at least 1 year, you should register with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency).
This allows you to obtain a personnummer (personal identity number), which is often needed for:
- banking
- healthcare
- employment
- signing contracts
- many everyday services
EU/EEA citizens can:
- start working immediately
- look for work without a permit
- work for any employer in Sweden
No work permit is required.
e.u./e.e.a. family members
They usually have the same right of residence as you.
non-e.u./e.e.a. family members
Non-EU family members who stay in Sweden for more than 3 months will usually need to apply for a residence card.
Family members may include:
- a spouse, registered partner, or cohabiting partner
- children under 21
- dependent children over 21
- dependent parents
- other relatives in special dependency situations
After 5 years of legal residence in Sweden, you automatically gain permanent right of residence.
At this point, you no longer need to meet the work/study/self-sufficient requirements.
⬢ Learn more about permanent right of residence for EU/EEA citizens
- If you have family in Sweden, you can apply for a residence permit to live with them
- You can apply to live with a partner, child, or other relative
who counts as “family”?
Basically, Sweden says you’re family if you’re close to the person and/or depend on them. That includes:
- your spouse or partner (married, registered, or living together)
- kids under 21
- kids over 21 (only if they still depend on you financially)
- parents if they depend on you financially
- other close family members if they:
- rely on you for money
- live with you
- have serious health issues and need you to personally take care of them
in short
If they’re close family and they depend on you in a real way, Sweden usually counts them.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Rules regarding residence permits, work permits, and employment in Sweden may change and depend on individual circumstances. Always consult Migrationsverket or a qualified professional for guidance specific to your case.
- Keep proof of work, studies, or savings in case authorities ask
- Students and self-sufficient persons must have comprehensive health insurance
- If you are an EU/EEA citizen moving to Sweden with a Swedish partner, it is usually better to move and register using your EU right of residence, not as a family member of a Swedish citizen
- As an EU citizen, you already have the right to live and work in Sweden through free movement rules, which is typically much faster and simpler. You can still live together — you just use your own EU rights instead of applying as a partner
- Non-EU family members should apply for a residence card as soon as possible after arrival
↗︎ Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket)
↗︎ Migrationsverket
do e.u./e.e.a. citizens need a residence permit to live in sweden?
No. EU/EEA citizens can live in Sweden without a residence permit if they have right of residence (uppehållsrätt). This can be based on working, studying, running a business or being financially self-sufficient.
how long can I stay without working?
You can stay for up to three months with a valid passport or national ID card. To stay longer, you generally need to meet the conditions for right of residence, such as having sufficient funds and comprehensive health insurance.
do I need to apply for right of residence?
No. You do not normally submit an application for right of residence. However, you should be able to show that you meet the requirements if a Swedish authority asks.
can I work without a work permit?
Yes. EU/EEA citizens can work in Sweden without a work permit. You can also look for work and change employers without needing a work permit.
how do I get a swedish personal identity number?
If you plan to live in Sweden for at least one year, you can register with Skatteverket. If you meet the requirements, you may be registered in the population register and receive a personnummer.
can my family move to sweden with me?
Yes. EU/EEA family members can generally live with you under EU free movement rules if the relevant conditions are met. Non-EU family members may need to apply for a residence card through Migrationsverket.
when do I get permanent right of residence?
After five years of continuous legal residence in Sweden under EU free movement rules, you may acquire permanent right of residence. This means you no longer need to meet the usual work, study or self-sufficiency conditions.
what happens if I lose my job?
Losing your job does not automatically mean you lose your right of residence. The rules depend on your circumstances, including how long you worked in Sweden and whether you are looking for a new job. Keep records of your employment and job-search activities.