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SVI Fokus
Permanent residence

What is EU long-term resident status (varaktigt bosatt) and how is it different from a Swedish PUT?

Long-term resident status is an EU-wide status (EU Directive 2003/109/EC) for non-EU citizens who have lived legally in an EU country for at least 5 years and can support themselves. The advantage is mobility within the EU. Since 12 July 2026 Sweden grants a five-year permit instead of a permanent one. Check the conditions with Migrationsverket.

Updated

  • Long-term resident status is an EU-wide status under EU Directive 2003/109/EC, for non-EU citizens who have lived legally in an EU country for at least 5 years and can support themselves.
  • The main advantage over a national PUT is mobility: it becomes easier to move to another EU country to work, study, run a business or retire.
  • Since 12 July 2026 Sweden grants EU long-term residents a five-year residence permit instead of a permanent one, and Migrationsverket states it cannot later be converted to a PUT.
  • There is a fee, about SEK 1,000 per adult and SEK 500 per child — check the current amount.

A Swedish PUT and long-term resident status are therefore different things with different advantages. Read more about permanent residence and confirm which status suits you with Migrationsverket.

Sources

Official details can change. Always confirm what applies to your own case directly with the responsible authority.

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