Work permits

Sweden Jobs for Foreigners 2026: New Work Permit Salary Rule

How Sweden jobs for foreigners changed on 1 June 2026, with the 90 percent salary requirement, the exemption level and the extension rules.

EU Job Hub Editorial Team · Updated 1 October 2026

Introduction

Sweden jobs for foreigners from outside the EU need a work permit. The rules changed on 1 June 2026. The main change is a higher salary requirement.

This guide uses the Swedish Migration Agency. It explains the salary rule, the exemptions and the extension rules. Check the agency site for the latest median salary figure.

Quick Information

New rule in force	1 June 2026
Salary requirement	At least 90 percent of the median salary
Median salary from 16 June 2026	SEK 38,300 a month
90 percent of median	SEK 34,470 a month
Exempt occupations	At least 75 percent, which is SEK 28,725
Authority	Swedish Migration Agency

The New Salary Requirement

Since 1 June 2026, the monthly salary must be at least 90 percent of the median salary in Sweden. The median is measured when you apply. Statistics Sweden publishes it each June.

Before that date, the requirement was 80 percent. The new rule applies to first-time applicants who get a decision on or after 1 June 2026. It can apply even if you applied earlier.

Sweden Jobs for Foreigners and the Current Figures

The agency table shows the median updated on 16 June 2026. The median is SEK 38,300 a month. Ninety percent of that is SEK 34,470.

• Median salary: SEK 38,300 a month.
• 90 percent of median: SEK 34,470 a month.
• 75 percent of median: SEK 28,725 a month.

The median at the time of application is the one that counts. A later update does not change your case.

Exemptions

Parliament has decided that the Government may exempt certain occupational groups. For those groups, the salary must reach at least 75 percent of the median.

Check whether your occupation is exempt. Ask your employer to confirm it with the agency guidance.

Employer Terms Still Matter

The salary must also follow Swedish collective agreements or what is customary in the occupation or industry. Meeting the percentage alone is not enough.

Ask the employer for a written offer. It should state pay, hours and other terms.

Employer Checks

From 1 June 2026, the agency can reject applications because of problems linked to the employer. This makes the employer’s record more important.

Do your own checks. Search the company name and read its career page. Ask how many foreign employees it has hired.

Extending Your Permit

Transitional rules apply. If you were granted your permit before 1 June 2026, you are not covered by the new salary rule when you extend between 1 June and 1 December 2026. The old 80 percent rule applies in that period.

From 2 December 2026, the new salary requirement applies to all extension applications. Plan for this if your permit expires soon.

What to Prepare

Prepare your passport, degree and work references. Keep your signed employment offer. Have proof of the exact monthly salary, not an estimate.

Ask the employer to submit the offer details to the agency. Follow the agency steps in the order it gives.

Finding an Employer

Use EURES and company career pages. Target sectors where demand is high and pay is above the threshold. State in your application that you need a work permit.

Compare salary offers with the current figure before you accept. If an offer is close to the line, ask the employer about it.

Mistakes to Avoid

Do not rely on old figures. Do not accept a salary that only just meets the old 80 percent rule. Do not assume an extension will follow the old rule after 1 December 2026.

Application Checklist

1. Check the current median salary on the agency site.
2. Compute 90 percent and compare it with your offer.
3. Check whether your occupation is exempt.
4. Get a written offer with collective agreement terms.
5. Research the employer.
6. Plan your extension date.
7. Keep all documents ready for the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary requirement in 2026? At least 90 percent of the median salary at the time of application, for first-time applications decided from 1 June 2026.

What is the monthly figure now? The agency lists SEK 34,470 for applications received from 16 June 2026.

Is there a lower threshold? Yes. For exempt occupations the requirement is 75 percent, or SEK 28,725.

Does the new rule apply to extensions? From 2 December 2026, yes. Earlier transitional rules apply until then.

Next Steps

Check the median salary and compute the threshold. Then compare it with your offer. Confirm every figure with the Swedish Migration Agency before you sign.

Official Sources to Check

Use official platforms and national authorities to verify current rules before applying or travelling.

• Swedish Migration Agency — Salary requirements for a work permit
• Swedish Migration Agency — New rules from 1 June 2026
• EURES — Find a job

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Disclaimer: EU Job Hub provides general editorial information for jobseekers. It does not guarantee employment, sponsorship, work-permit approval or visa approval. Employment and immigration rules vary by country and by personal circumstances. Verify important information with employers and official authorities before making decisions. Never pay an individual or recruiter solely because they promise a job, placement or visa.