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Permanent residence

What is a permanent residence permit (PUT) and how does it differ from a temporary permit and from citizenship?

A permanent residence permit (PUT) lets a non-EU citizen live and work in Sweden with no time limit and without a separate work permit. A temporary permit expires and must be extended. Neither is citizenship: you are still a foreign national, get no Swedish passport, and a PUT can be lost.

Updated

  • PUT (permanent residence permit): the right to live and work in Sweden with no time limit and without a separate work permit.
  • Temporary permit: valid for a period, must be extended, and is often tied to a ground (work or family).
  • A PUT can be revoked or lapse, for example after long-term residence abroad, so it is not permanent forever.
  • Citizenship is different: a PUT holder is still a foreign national and gets no Swedish passport.
  • Since July 2021 most people first get a temporary permit and can later qualify for a PUT under extra conditions.

If you want to know more about the conditions, read about permanent residence. The rules change over time, so check what applies to your situation with Migrationsverket.

Sources

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

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