Entry conditions and visas

Living in Europe, Working in Europe | Entry conditions/visas | Sweden

Depending on your nationality, entry conditions may apply, such as the need to have an entry visa, a residence permit or work permit. If so, your Swedish host organisation will assist you by providing necessary documents.

Nordic citizens

Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland may live and work in Sweden without registering or obtaining a residence permit. If your stay in Sweden will be one year or more, you must generally be entered into the Swedish population register. Read more at www.skatteverket.se.

EU/EEA or swiss Citizens

EU citizens have the right to work, study or live in Sweden without a residence permit. The right of EU citizens to stay in Sweden without a residence permit is called right of residence. You have right of residence if you are employed, self-employed, a student or have sufficient means to support yourself. If you have right of residence in Sweden you do not need to contact the Swedish Migration Agency. When entering Sweden, you need a valid passport or ID card showing your citizenship. If your stay in Sweden will be one year or more, you must generally be entered into the Swedish population register. Read more about this under the heading of Civil registration.

Citizens of Switzerland
If you are a Swiss citizen, you may move to Sweden to work, study, start your own business or, for example, live on a pension from your country of origin. If you wish to stay for longer than three months, you will need a residence permit. www.migrationsverket.se

non-eu citizens

You do not need a permit to work for less than three months. However, citizens of certain countries need a visa, see visa information on the Swedish Government page.

If you plan to work in Sweden for longer than three months you will instead need a residence permit (applies for visiting researchers) or work permit (applies for those not doing any research). You must apply for the permit from your native country or other country outside Sweden where you are living. Those who receive a residence permit will be given a residence permit card. The card is proof of your residence permit. When you enter Sweden, you must therefore show your card along with a valid passport.

If you apply on line, using the Migration Board website, you will get a decision sooner, providing that the Migration Board does not need to request further information.

More information about permits, visas and application forms can be found at http://www.migrationsverket.se/