Permanent residence in Sweden (2026): who can still get it
Permanent residence permits (PUT) were abolished for some groups in July 2026 and kept for others. The routes that remain, the requirements, how to apply and what changed this year, from Migrationsverket and the Riksdag.
Quick answer
You can still get a permanent residence permit after 4 years of work permits within the last 7 years, after 3 consecutive years as a researcher, doctoral student or EU Blue Card holder, or after 3 years as a family member, if you can support yourself and meet the stricter good-conduct test. Since 12 July 2026, refugees, people with subsidiary protection, EU long-term residents and their families get temporary permits instead. EU/EEA citizens get permanent right of residence automatically after 5 years.
The routes in 2026
| Who | Main requirement | Status (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit holders | Worked in Sweden with work permits for 4 of the last 7 years; can support yourself; good conduct | Still possible |
| Researchers, doctoral students, EU Blue Card | 3 consecutive years on these permits (since 11 June 2026), or the 4-in-7 rule | Still possible |
| Partners and other family members | At least 3 years with a residence permit; apply when you extend | Still possible (stricter family rules since 1 Oct 2026) |
| Refugees, subsidiary protection, quota refugees and their families | - | No new permanent permits since 12 July 2026 |
| EU long-term resident status | 5 years' continuous residence | Gives a 5-year permit, not a permanent one, since 12 July 2026 |
| EU/EEA citizens | 5 years with right of residence | Permanent right of residence is automatic; optional free certificate |
Anyone who already has a permanent permit keeps it. Sources: Riksdag: permanent residence permits to be abolished · Migrationsverket: no permanent permits for former asylum seekers
Work permit holders
- Time: you have held, and met the conditions of, permits for work and worked in Sweden for four of the past seven years. Work permits, research permits, seasonal-work permits, EU Blue Cards and ICT permits all count, and the years need not be consecutive. Time on a work permit obtained by "changing track" after an asylum application no longer counts.
- Self-support: after tax and housing costs you must have at least SEK 6,243 a month left (single adult, 2026). Only income you actually have when Migrationsverket decides counts, not future offers.
- Good conduct: since 13 July 2026 Migrationsverket also looks at whether you pay your debts, give correct information to authorities and have links to criminal or extremist networks.
- How to apply: in your extension application, which your employer starts and you complete, ticking that you also want permanent residence. Apply at most two months before your permit expires, ideally within the last 30 days. The fee is SEK 2,200 (adult family members SEK 1,500, children SEK 750).
- Waiting time: Migrationsverket's statistics show 75% of extension decisions for other employment within 4 months for complete applications (12 if incomplete), and within 1-2 months for highly qualified workers.
If you don't qualify yet, you can still get an ordinary extension. New and extended work permits now require a salary of at least SEK 34,470 a month (90% of the median salary, since 16 June 2026). Until 1 December 2026, extensions of permits granted under the old rules are assessed under the previous maintenance requirement instead.
Sources: Migrationsverket: extending a work permit · Migrationsverket: salary requirement · Migrationsverket: good conduct · Migrationsverket: waiting times
Researchers, doctoral students and EU Blue Card holders
Since 11 June 2026 you can get permanent residence after three consecutive years with a permit for research, doctoral studies or a Swedish EU Blue Card, and time on these permits can be added together. The four-in-seven rule still applies too. Self-support and good-conduct requirements apply. Source: Migrationsverket: new rules for researchers and doctoral students
Partners and other family members
If you live in Sweden on a family permit, you can apply for permanent residence when you extend, once you have had a residence permit for at least three years. You must still meet the extension requirements (you still live together, and your sponsor meets the maintenance requirement), support yourself and meet the good-conduct test. Family members of work permit holders can apply together with the main applicant. Stricter family-immigration rules took effect on 1 October 2026, including a stricter maintenance requirement that now also applies to extensions.
Sources: Migrationsverket: extending a partner permit · Migrationsverket: new family rules from 1 October 2026
EU long-term resident status
Non-EU citizens who have lived in Sweden continuously for five years can apply for long-term resident status. Since 12 July 2026 it gives a five-year residence permit, not a permanent one, and people granted it can't get a permanent permit later. Fee: SEK 1,000 for adults. Migrationsverket decided 75% of recent cases within nine months. Sources: Migrationsverket: long-term residents · Migrationsverket: five-year permits for long-term residents
EU/EEA citizens
EU/EEA citizens don't need permits. After five years of living in Sweden with a right of residence (working, studying, running a business or having sufficient funds), you automatically have permanent right of residence. You can ask Migrationsverket for a certificate; it is free and optional. Source: Migrationsverket: permanent right of residence
Permanent residence and citizenship
Swedish citizenship normally requires a permanent permit (or permanent right of residence) plus eight years of residence, under the rules in force since 6 June 2026. Since 12 July 2026 refugees, people with subsidiary protection, long-term residents and some others with temporary permits can be exempt from the permanent-permit requirement if they have well-founded prospects of a lasting permit, or ten years of residence. Source: Migrationsverket: exemption from the permanent-permit requirement
What's not law: making existing permanent permits revocable was proposed by a government inquiry but postponed to the next electoral term. After the election on 13 September 2026, a new government had not been formed by early October. We will update this page when rules change. Source: Migrationsverket: how migration rules have changed
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get permanent residence in Sweden in 2026?
Yes, on some routes: work permit holders who have worked in Sweden for four of the last seven years, researchers, doctoral students and EU Blue Card holders after three consecutive years, and family members after three years. Since 12 July 2026 refugees, people with subsidiary protection, holders of EU long-term resident status and their family members can no longer get new permanent permits.
How much do I need to earn for permanent residence?
After tax and your housing costs, you must have at least SEK 6,243 a month left as a single adult in 2026. Only your own income counts: salary or income from a company you own at least half of, plus parental or sickness benefit if you have ongoing employment.
When should I apply for permanent residence on a work permit?
In the same application as your work-permit extension: the employer starts it and you complete it. You can apply at the earliest two months before your permit expires, and Migrationsverket recommends applying no more than 30 days before, because it can only decide on permanent residence once the current permit has expired. The fee is SEK 2,200.
Do EU citizens need permanent residence?
No. EU/EEA citizens who have lived in Sweden with a right of residence for five years automatically have permanent right of residence. A certificate is optional and free; Migrationsverket decided 75% of recent cases within three months.
Do I need permanent residence to become a Swedish citizen?
As a rule, yes, together with eight years of residence. Since 12 July 2026 some people with temporary permits (for example refugees and long-term residents) are exempt if they have well-founded prospects of a lasting permit. See our citizenship guide.
Sources
- Migrationsverket: extending a work permit (employees)
- Migrationsverket: salary requirement for work permits
- Migrationsverket: new rules for researchers and doctoral students
- Migrationsverket: extending a partner permit
- Migrationsverket: family rules from 1 October 2026
- Migrationsverket: long-term residents in Sweden
- Migrationsverket: permanent right of residence (EU/EEA)
- Migrationsverket: good conduct (vandel)
- Migrationsverket: waiting times
- Riksdag: permanent residence permits to be abolished