Sweden publishes official new work permit rules effective 1 June 2026

Sweden’s Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) has published official guidance on the new work permit rules that take effect on 1 June 2026. The headline change is a new salary requirement: work permit holders must earn at least 90 percent of the Swedish median salary at the time of application, replacing the previous “good living” threshold. The salary must also remain on par with Swedish collective agreements or what is common practice within the profession or industry.

Why this matters: The new salary requirement applies to first-time applicants who receive a decision on or after 1 June 2026 — meaning it may apply even if you submitted your application before that date. For remote workers and digital professionals considering Sweden, this raises the bar significantly. Those who currently hold a work permit and apply for an extension between 1 June and 1 December 2026 are exempt from the new rule; for them, current rules apply with a minimum of 80 percent of the median salary (currently SEK 29,680).

Additional changes include a requirement for comprehensive health insurance for stays of up to one year, and new powers allowing the Migration Agency to reject applications due to employer-related deficiencies such as criminal convictions or sanctions. The government may also decide to restrict work permits for certain occupational groups, though no such decisions have been made yet. EU Blue Card holders, ICT permit holders and seasonal workers are subject to separate rules — notably, the EU Blue Card permit period extends to a maximum of four years (up from two), and seasonal work permits extend from six to nine months.

Sweden does not offer a specific digital nomad visa, so these work permit changes primarily affect those employed by Swedish companies. EU/EEA citizens are unaffected as they have freedom of movement rights.