Obtaining permanent residency and citizenship in Sweden

Permanent residency for EU and Nordic nationals

Staying longer (or permanently) in Sweden for EU and Nordic nationals means registering to the Swedish Tax Agency. This awards you with a Swedish Civic Number (which you will need in order to open a bank account, be entitled to healthcare and in many cases be able to rent/own property) and means you will be paying taxes in Sweden each year for income earned. Whereas Nordic nationals can register right away, if they wish, there are some rules in place regarding EU nationals. More specifically:

• If you register as an employee or self-employed person, you can do so right away, once you get a job/start your own business. You will need documentation that proves your professional status.
• If you register as a job seeker, you can do so after 3 months of living in Sweden and this will give you an additional 3 months to find work.
• if you register as a student, you can do so after 12 months of continuous studying at a recognized Swedish University. You will have to provide proof of health insurance (your EU health card will suffice, or a private health insurance) and a statement that you can support yourself financially. Until then, you have the right to study in Sweden as an EU citizen for up to 12 months.
• If you register as a self-sufficient person, you will need to do that after 3 months of living in Sweden. You will have to provide a bank statement that shows you have enough funds for a whole year in Sweden (there is no specific amount, but usually they expect to see something around 150,000 SEK or 15,000 euros) as well as a comprehensive health insurance package.

Good to know: If you are an EU citizen, but do not have 'right of residence' in Sweden (i.e. you're not working, studying, or self-sufficient), you can still move in with a family member who lives in Sweden. You will have to apply for a residence permit though, and they will have to provide proof that they can financially support you.

After five years of living in Sweden (during all of which you had a right of residence), you can apply for a certificate of your permanent right of residence. This certificate is not necessary, but it can be useful should you wish to show it to the authorities at some point, so it is within your rights to ask for it. The type of your permanent right of residence depends on your status (i.e. employee, student, a combination of both etc). To apply, you'll need to fill in a form called 'Intyg om permanent uppehållsrätt' along with pertinent documentation and send or submit it at one of Migrationsverket's Permit Units. There is no fee involved in this process.

Permanent residency for third-country nationals

If you are a third-country national and you wish to stay in Sweden for more than 90 days (which will be the duration of your visa), you will need to apply for a residence card at the Migrationsverket. The type of permit you'll get, as well as the documentation and the process, depends on the purpose of your stay and your overall status: whether you will be working in Sweden, moving in with someone or studying in Sweden. In all cases though, you will need to apply before entering the country (so, once your visa is approved) as the process may take time. See below which process applies to your case:

• If you've already found a job/have a job offer in Sweden, then your employer must initiate your application. Once they do, you will receive an email with information about how to apply for a job permit and you should follow the instructions. There is usually a fee of about 2,000 SEK that you will have to pay, either online or at your embassy/consulate.
• If you're moving to Sweden to be with your spouse or cohabiting partner, you need to apply for a residence card. If you're married, the marriage will need to be declared to the Swedish Taxation Agency. You will fill in your application online and pay a fee of about 1,500 SEK, either online or at your embassy/consulate. You will then have to book an appointment at your embassy/consulate and go through an interview where you will be questioned about your relationship. If you have any children, you should bring them with you to the interview. The process is similar if you are not married/cohabiting yet, but you're planning to.
• If you're moving to Sweden to study, you must first pay the tuition fee at the university where you were accepted. Then, you need to fill in an application and pay a fee of about 1,000 SEK. Once you finish your studies in Sweden, you will have to apply for a residence permit to seek employment, and pay a fee of another 1,000 SEK.

Good to know: As Sweden is a highly popular destination for Expats, a decision from Migrationsverket may take many months to reach you, so you are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Swedish citizenship

If you've lived in Sweden for five years with a right of residence, or have acquired a permanent right of residence certificate or a residence permit, you can also apply for a Swedish citizenship. Note that the Swedish Migration Authority will check how well you have conducted yourself in Sweden during these 5 years: whether you have any debts or haven't paid taxes, you have been convicted or suspected of any crime, or you pose a security threat in some way. There is usually a fee of about 1,500 SEK to acquire Swedish citizenship. You can test whether you are eligible to a Swedish citizenship online (in Swedish only).

Good to know: Nordic citizens who have lived in Sweden for five years can become Swedish citizens by simply submitting a notification. This is a faster and less costly way to get a Swedish citizenship.

Useful link:

Migrationsverket - Becoming a Swedish citizen
Swedish Tax Agency - EU citizens