MigrationNews
News on citizenship, permanent and long-term residence, and residence, work and family permits — plus migration-law changes and labour-shortage policy that affect those rules.
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Latest articles
- Migration
MigrationResidence permit for young adults: new rule 1 October 2026
The Riksdag said yes on 13 August 2026. From 1 October 2026, people under 21 who once held a permit through a parent can be granted one again.5 min read
PoliticsPermanent residence: plan to take back permits is paused
An inquiry proposed taking back permanent residence permits people already hold. The government has paused the question until the next mandate period.5 min read
PoliticsDeportation for crime: stricter rules from 1 September 2026
From 1 September 2026 it gets easier to deport someone convicted of a crime in Sweden. A sentence tougher than a fine can be enough on its own.4 min read
MigrationPermanent residence: an exception for long-term illness
Illness or disability that lowers your ability to work long term can be a special reason for an exception to the support rule for permanent residence.3 min read
MigrationWork permit: refused because of the employer
Since 1 June 2026 Migrationsverket can refuse a Swedish work permit because of the employer, even when the applicant meets every requirement in the application.3 min read
Citizenship testCitizenship test: the ID rules on 15 August 2026
At the citizenship test on 15 August 2026, UHR required a Swedish ID document with your personnummer. A foreign passport or residence permit card was not enough.3 min read
MigrationEU migration pact: what changed for asylum in Sweden
The EU migration and asylum pact has applied in Sweden since 12 June 2026. It adds screening and three procedures with time limits, and replaces the Dublin rules.3 min read
PoliticsSix authorities must report people they believe cannot stay
From 13 July 2026, six Swedish authorities must tell the police about people they believe have no right to stay in Sweden. Healthcare is not covered.4 min read
MigrationNew permit rules for researchers and doctoral students
From June 2026 doctoral students can apply for a research permit, some people can apply from inside Sweden, and researchers can reach permanent residence in three years instead of seven.4 min read
MigrationBecome a Swedish citizen without permanent residence
From 12 July 2026 you can be granted Swedish citizenship without holding a permanent residence permit. A new exception makes it possible, which matters now that permanent residence is harder to get.4 min read
MigrationNew reception law: where asylum seekers live
The Riksdag decided a new mottagandelag. From 1 October 2026 you must live in housing that Migrationsverket assigns to receive the daily allowance.4 min read
MigrationEU Blue Card in Sweden: Up to Four Years in 2026
The EU Blue Card in Sweden can now last up to four years, and holders who change job report it to Migrationsverket instead of applying for a new permit.4 min read
MigrationEU long-term resident now a five-year permit
Since 12 July 2026, getting varaktigt bosatt (EU long-term resident) gives a five-year permit, not a permanent one. You cannot get a PUT while you hold it.4 min read
MigrationCitizenship processing: auditor finds it not effective
The Swedish National Audit Office found Migrationsverket's handling of citizenship cases is not effective. Queue time is about 82 percent of the total.4 min read
MigrationWork permit health insurance rule from June 2026
From 1 June 2026, a work permit for a stay of up to one year must show comprehensive health insurance, or that the applicant has applied for one.4 min read
Citizenship testCitizenship test: who is exempt
The medborgarskapsprov applies to applicants aged 16 to 66. People under 16 or over 66 are outside it, and some can meet the requirement without the test.4 min read
Citizenship testWhat happens if you fail the citizenship test
If you fail the medborgarskapsprov, you cannot appeal an ordinary fail. Only a result held back for breaking the test rules can be appealed to a court.4 min read
MigrationRenew your permanent residence card, now simpler
A permanent uppehållstillstånd does not expire, but the plastic card does. From April 2026, Migrationsverket reminds you on Min sida before the card runs out.4 min read
MigrationOver 103,000 cases in Sweden's citizenship queue
Over 103,000 cases sit in the citizenship queue, and the queue has grown since April. If your case is decided after 6 June 2026, the new rules apply.5 min read
Citizenship testWhen is the next Swedish citizenship test?
The next test date is not yet announced. UHR says the announcement comes in autumn. Then you must register again, because your old registration does not count.4 min read
Citizenship testWhat is on the Swedish citizenship test
The citizenship test is roughly 60 questions on Swedish society, 90 minutes, on paper, in Swedish. It is based on UHR's material Sverige i fokus.6 min read
PoliticsSweden closes the notification route for most people
From 6 June 2026 the quick citizenship notification route is open to far fewer people. Young people with a foreign passport now mostly have to apply the ordinary way.4 min read
PoliticsWhy there is no transition rule for citizenship
The new citizenship law has no transition rule for people already in the queue. The Riksdag voted one down, 147 to 146. Here is who wanted it and where it stands.4 min read
MigrationSweden has net emigration for a second year
For the second year running, more people left Sweden than moved here. Immigration in 2025 was the lowest since 2006, and asylum numbers hit a 40-year low.4 min read
MigrationTougher family reunification rules from 1 October 2026
The Riksdag said yes on 13 August 2026. From 1 October 2026, a relative in Sweden on a temporary permit needs two years here before family can join.5 min read
MigrationSweden study permit: 15-hour work limit and new rules
From 11 June 2026 a Swedish study permit limits term-time work to 15 hours a week, sets yearly credit targets, and makes it harder to switch to a work permit.4 min read
MigrationSweden: conduct now weighs more for a residence permit
From 13 July 2026 Sweden weighs your vandel (conduct) more when granting or revoking a residence permit. Debts and dishonesty can count, not only crime.4 min read
MigrationUkrainians can switch permit without leaving Sweden
From 11 June 2026, people with protection under the mass-flight directive can apply for a work, study, or other permit from inside Sweden, without leaving first.4 min read
PoliticsNew Swedish citizenship rules from 6 June 2026
From 6 June 2026 Swedish citizenship needs 8 years in Sweden as a general rule, proof that you support yourself, and knowledge of Swedish. There are no transitional rules.4 min read
Citizenship testCitizenship language test: deadline 2027, estimate 2028
The reading and listening test must be held no later than 1 October 2027. The government writes that Stockholm University judged autumn 2028 the earliest.5 min read
EconomyWork permit salary rule: last day 1 December 2026
A work permit needs 34 470 kronor a month as the main rule. If you are extending an older permit, 30 640 kronor is enough up to and including 1 December 2026.5 min read
PoliticsInquiry proposes revoking citizenship for dual citizens
A government inquiry (SOU 2026:21) proposes that dual citizens could lose Swedish citizenship for fraud or very serious crimes. It is a proposal, not law.5 min read
MigrationWork permits would no longer be tied to one employer
The government proposes that from 1 February 2027 a work permit would not be tied to one employer, so holders could change jobs without a new permit. It is a proposal, not law.4 min read
MigrationPermanent residence ends for protection cases (2026)
From 12 July 2026 people with protection, humanitarian, or long-term-resident permits can no longer be granted permanent residence in Sweden. Existing permits are kept.4 min read
EconomySome jobs are exempt from the new work-permit salary rule
From 1 June 2026, 27 shortage occupations and several groups face a lower work-permit salary threshold: 75 percent of the median wage, not 90. Two jobs are barred entirely.4 min read
Citizenship testSweden's first citizenship test: 15 August 2026
Sweden held its first citizenship knowledge test on 15 August 2026. It was invitation-only and free, with about 60 questions in 90 minutes on paper.3 min read
- Citizenship test
Citizenship test: the ID rules on 15 August 2026
At the citizenship test on 15 August 2026, UHR required a Swedish ID document with your personnummer. A foreign passport or residence permit card was not enough.3 min read - Citizenship test
Citizenship test: who is exempt
The medborgarskapsprov applies to applicants aged 16 to 66. People under 16 or over 66 are outside it, and some can meet the requirement without the test.4 min read - Citizenship test
What happens if you fail the citizenship test
If you fail the medborgarskapsprov, you cannot appeal an ordinary fail. Only a result held back for breaking the test rules can be appealed to a court.4 min read - Citizenship test
When is the next Swedish citizenship test?
The next test date is not yet announced. UHR says the announcement comes in autumn. Then you must register again, because your old registration does not count.4 min read - Citizenship test
What is on the Swedish citizenship test
The citizenship test is roughly 60 questions on Swedish society, 90 minutes, on paper, in Swedish. It is based on UHR's material Sverige i fokus.6 min read - Citizenship test
Citizenship language test: deadline 2027, estimate 2028
The reading and listening test must be held no later than 1 October 2027. The government writes that Stockholm University judged autumn 2028 the earliest.5 min read - Citizenship test
Sweden's first citizenship test: 15 August 2026
Sweden held its first citizenship knowledge test on 15 August 2026. It was invitation-only and free, with about 60 questions in 90 minutes on paper.3 min read
- Politics
Permanent residence: plan to take back permits is paused
An inquiry proposed taking back permanent residence permits people already hold. The government has paused the question until the next mandate period.5 min read - Politics
Deportation for crime: stricter rules from 1 September 2026
From 1 September 2026 it gets easier to deport someone convicted of a crime in Sweden. A sentence tougher than a fine can be enough on its own.4 min read - Politics
Six authorities must report people they believe cannot stay
From 13 July 2026, six Swedish authorities must tell the police about people they believe have no right to stay in Sweden. Healthcare is not covered.4 min read - Politics
Sweden closes the notification route for most people
From 6 June 2026 the quick citizenship notification route is open to far fewer people. Young people with a foreign passport now mostly have to apply the ordinary way.4 min read - Politics
Why there is no transition rule for citizenship
The new citizenship law has no transition rule for people already in the queue. The Riksdag voted one down, 147 to 146. Here is who wanted it and where it stands.4 min read - Politics
New Swedish citizenship rules from 6 June 2026
From 6 June 2026 Swedish citizenship needs 8 years in Sweden as a general rule, proof that you support yourself, and knowledge of Swedish. There are no transitional rules.4 min read - Politics
Inquiry proposes revoking citizenship for dual citizens
A government inquiry (SOU 2026:21) proposes that dual citizens could lose Swedish citizenship for fraud or very serious crimes. It is a proposal, not law.5 min read
- Economy
Work permit salary rule: last day 1 December 2026
A work permit needs 34 470 kronor a month as the main rule. If you are extending an older permit, 30 640 kronor is enough up to and including 1 December 2026.5 min read - Economy
Some jobs are exempt from the new work-permit salary rule
From 1 June 2026, 27 shortage occupations and several groups face a lower work-permit salary threshold: 75 percent of the median wage, not 90. Two jobs are barred entirely.4 min read
- Migration
LMA card is not valid after 1 October 2026
Every LMA card has to be swapped for an application card no later than 1 October 2026. You have to visit Migrationsverket for a new photo and fingerprints.4 min read - Migration
Residence permit for young adults: new rule 1 October 2026
The Riksdag said yes on 13 August 2026. From 1 October 2026, people under 21 who once held a permit through a parent can be granted one again.5 min read - Migration
Permanent residence: an exception for long-term illness
Illness or disability that lowers your ability to work long term can be a special reason for an exception to the support rule for permanent residence.3 min read - Migration
Work permit: refused because of the employer
Since 1 June 2026 Migrationsverket can refuse a Swedish work permit because of the employer, even when the applicant meets every requirement in the application.3 min read - Migration
EU migration pact: what changed for asylum in Sweden
The EU migration and asylum pact has applied in Sweden since 12 June 2026. It adds screening and three procedures with time limits, and replaces the Dublin rules.3 min read - Migration
New permit rules for researchers and doctoral students
From June 2026 doctoral students can apply for a research permit, some people can apply from inside Sweden, and researchers can reach permanent residence in three years instead of seven.4 min read - Migration
Become a Swedish citizen without permanent residence
From 12 July 2026 you can be granted Swedish citizenship without holding a permanent residence permit. A new exception makes it possible, which matters now that permanent residence is harder to get.4 min read - Migration
New reception law: where asylum seekers live
The Riksdag decided a new mottagandelag. From 1 October 2026 you must live in housing that Migrationsverket assigns to receive the daily allowance.4 min read - Migration
EU Blue Card in Sweden: Up to Four Years in 2026
The EU Blue Card in Sweden can now last up to four years, and holders who change job report it to Migrationsverket instead of applying for a new permit.4 min read - Migration
EU long-term resident now a five-year permit
Since 12 July 2026, getting varaktigt bosatt (EU long-term resident) gives a five-year permit, not a permanent one. You cannot get a PUT while you hold it.4 min read - Migration
Citizenship processing: auditor finds it not effective
The Swedish National Audit Office found Migrationsverket's handling of citizenship cases is not effective. Queue time is about 82 percent of the total.4 min read - Migration
Work permit health insurance rule from June 2026
From 1 June 2026, a work permit for a stay of up to one year must show comprehensive health insurance, or that the applicant has applied for one.4 min read