The following categories may begin employment without applying for a new work permit.

EU/EEA citizens and their family members

EU/EEA citizens benefit from free movement within Europe and may work in Sweden without a work permit.

Non-EU/EEA family members of EU/EEA citizens may also work without a work permit. If they intend to stay longer than 3 months, they must apply for a residence card.

swiss citizens

Swiss citizens may work in Sweden without a work permit.

If staying longer than 3 months, they must apply for a residence permit. They may begin working before a decision is issued.

Employers must provide a certificate of employment if the individual applies for residence.

long-term residents in another EU/EEA country

Individuals with long-term resident status in another EU country may:

• work in Sweden for up to three months without a work permit
• apply for a Swedish residence permit if staying longer than three months

They may begin working while awaiting the residence permit decision. Employers must provide a certificate of employment in such cases.

permanent residence permit holders

Individuals with a Swedish permanent residence permit may work in any role without restriction.

swedish citizens

Swedish citizens have unrestricted access to the labour market.

residence permit for family reunification

If you hire someone with a residence permit for family reunification in Sweden, they generally have the right to work without needing a separate work permit. As an employer, your main responsibility is simply to verify that their residence permit is valid and allows employment — there are no additional sponsorship or permit obligations on your side.

protection under the temporary protection directive

Individuals granted residence under the EU Temporary Protection Directive have the right to work in Sweden.

If they have been in Sweden for less than 1 year, they may not yet be registered in the Swedish Population Register. In such cases, they must be registered for tax purposes before employment begins. Employers should verify tax registration.

students in higher education

Students holding a residence permit for university or university college studies may work alongside their studies without a separate work permit.

researchers with a residence permit for research

Researchers may work within the scope of their approved research.

Teaching or administrative duties outside research activities may not be covered and should be reviewed carefully.

individuals granted residence after seeking asylum

Individuals who have been granted a residence permit after seeking asylum in Sweden also have the right to work without needing a separate work permit. For employers, the key requirement is to verify that the residence permit is valid — there is no need to sponsor the employee or apply for additional permits, but standard employment and reporting obligations still apply.

In case you are wondering, “standard employment and reporting obligations” means you must follow normal Swedish employment rules — such as providing a proper employment contract, paying salary and taxes, and reporting the employment to the Swedish Tax Agency.

british citizens

British citizens who hold Swedish residence status or Swedish citizenship may work freely in Sweden.

British citizens without residence status must apply for a work permit.

employees with an existing swedish work permit

In certain cases, a new work permit is not required when changing employers.

A new permit is not required if:

• the individual has held a work permit for more than 2 years, and
• the new position is within the same occupation as their current permit

A new permit is required if:

• the permit is employer-specific, and
• the employee changes employer within the first 2 years

Always review the permit decision carefully.

Certain roles and assignments are exempt from work permit requirements, typically for limited periods.

international company assignments

Exemptions may apply for:

• specialists working in Sweden for less than 1 year
• employees participating in internal training or skills development (maximum 3 months within a 12-month period)
• individuals involved in business transactions such as training, testing, or delivery preparation (maximum 3 months within a 12-month period)

diplomatic and consular staff

Diplomatic or consular officials, their family members, and service staff may work in Sweden without a work permit.

emergency technical work

Installers or technical specialists responding to urgent and unforeseen breakdowns may work without a permit for up to 2 months.

The exemption applies only to genuine emergency situations.

media and broadcasting assignments (up to 1 month)

Temporary assignments for:

• Sveriges Radio AB
• Sveriges Television AB
• Sveriges Utbildningsradio AB
• Nordisk Television AB

Journalists reporting for foreign media are also covered under temporary exemptions.

artists and tour staff

Artists, technicians, and tour staff invited by an established Swedish organiser may work for up to 14 days within a 12-month period.

professional athletes

Professional athletes and officials participating in international competitions (without a Swedish club contract) may work for up to three months within a twelve-month period.

transport personnel

Exemptions apply to:

• train personnel
• international lorry drivers employed abroad
• tourist coach drivers and onboard staff (up to 3 months)

academic and research mobility

Exemptions may apply to:

• short-term researchers or lecturers (maximum 3 months per year)
• EU-based researchers conducting part of their research in Sweden (maximum 180 days)

temporary construction work (posted workers)

No work permit is required if the worker:

• lives in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland (without being a citizen there)
• has the legal right to work in that country
• is temporarily posted to Sweden by their employer

military and defence cooperation

Exemptions apply to:

• members of foreign armed forces under international agreements
• individuals covered by the Sweden–United States Defence Cooperation Agreement
• close family members under that agreement

Even when a work permit is not required, employers remain legally responsible for compliance.

verify the right to work

You must verify that the individual:

• has the legal right to stay in Sweden
• has the right to work

This requirement does not apply to EU/EEA or Swiss citizens and their accompanying family members.

acceptable documentation

Examples include:

• residence permit card
• decision from the Swedish Migration Agency
• Asylum Seeker card

If the individual does not have their residence permit card, request a copy of the official decision showing validity dates and any work restrictions.

notify the swedish tax agency

Employers must notify the Swedish Tax Agency of employment using form SKV 1160.

Information required includes:

• employee name
• address
• employment period

record-keeping requirements

Employers must retain copies of documentation proving the right to work:

• throughout the employment period
• for 12 months after employment ends