The salary you need for a Swedish arbetstillstånd (work permit) went up on 1 June 2026. As a general rule you must now earn at least 90 percent of the median wage (the middle salary in Sweden). For applications from 16 June 2026, that is 34 470 kronor a month.
The median wage comes from Statistiska centralbyrån (SCB), the national statistics agency. It changes over time, so the exact amount can change too. Check the current figure on Migrationsverket (the Swedish Migration Agency) before you apply.
Lower salary for shortage jobs
Some jobs have a lower limit. For these the salary must be at least 75 percent of the median wage, which is 28 725 kronor a month right now.
These are named shortage jobs (bristyrken) and some other groups, such as certain researchers and staff at new startups. The list changes, so the one that counts is the list in force when Migrationsverket decides your case.
If you are extending a permit
New applicants meet the 90 percent rule from 1 June 2026. If you already hold a work permit, the rule reaches your extension later.
If your current permit was granted before 1 June 2026, a transitional rule applies. Until 1 December 2026 your extension uses the older limit of 80 percent of the median wage. From 1 December 2026 the 90 percent rule applies to you too.
That 80 percent is measured against the median wage that applied when you first got your permit, not today's figure. So there is no single krona amount that fits everyone.
What to do now
Work out which limit fits you: the 90 percent rule, the 75 percent shortage limit, or the 80 percent transitional limit for an extension. Then check the current median wage on Migrationsverket's page.
This article describes the rules. Migrationsverket decides work permits and sets the figures. For your own permit, check Migrationsverket's current page or ask them directly.
Sources
Official details can change. Always confirm what applies to your own case directly with the responsible authority.
